Oulipo Sails

Oulipo Sails From Round Pizzas to Around The World on Sailing Vessel Oulipo Music festival catering across the UK

18/09/2026

A day of mixed emotions.
I didn’t get all the way back but then the Orcas didn’t get me either 🥳

My thinking was it’s a numbers game it’s either your turn or it’s not. Either way they’re a real threat. Yachts are getting attacked on a daily basis some being sunk, whatever people say. I’m not invading their territory I’m making every effort to travel through it leaving as I found it.
Do no harm leave no trace

When every wave crest that flashes white and every sigh of the sea sounds like the first breath of a Whale as it Breaks the surface….
when a pod of dolphins pop up next to you and constant sécurité warnings on the VHF to remind you about the consequences of been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Nearly 💩ing myself became an hourly event.

But all was good. The difference in 5 and half week is amazing. I did 12 days solo before I got Rafa and Alvaro. I can’t thank you both enough!!

I was told point-blank, you can’t do this !

Well I did ! 😁

I accept I was lucky….
I’ll take that, one day I won’t be so lucky…. I’ll deal with it, on that day.
Until then I’ll prepare and make every effort to be ready.
Because I am going to sail round the world.
So to everyone out there, right now, doing just that..
Fair Winds and Following Seas

27/08/2026

Last anchorage and night of what I’ve been calling chapter 1 I’ve quite a few fishing failures to put on

07/08/2026

Cape Finisterre… its name comes from the Latin finis terrae meaning end of the earth. Ancient Celts and Romans believed it was the edge of the known world, I can totally understand this.
I learned a valuable lesson today, one that will stay with me forever.
I’ve come a long way in the last month and my confidence is outpacing my ability. Ok I think my heart will always lead the way, it knows I will follow.
But sometimes we need a reminder and today I was given one and left in no doubt.
I have to balance but not hold back I have to prepare and be more ready, this is how I will deal with the outcomes of my choices.
I hope the rest of me can keep up. Cape End of the Known World Thank You

A day off in Pontevedra Rafas home town, we only just fit in the Marina and as soon as we docked a bloody big Spanish S...
30/07/2026

A day off in Pontevedra Rafas home town, we only just fit in the Marina and as soon as we docked a bloody big Spanish Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera civil in English a Spanish Customs Surveillance Service patrol boat full of armed Guardia came in after us, boarded then searched us. They did ask very politely tho, although I don’t imagine they would betaken no for an answer. Apparently they had been tracking us for over a week. We had been to all the top drug smuggling ports starting in Sicily to Ibiza where they mistook our fuelling up and erratic search for an anchor spot just off the main beach, as suspected drug smuggling. Then onto Gibraltar which as I now know is one of the main entry ports. I usually would have a cocky daft answers but heavily armed men sat on your boat looking for drugs does concentrate the mind somewhat. But all good, they were decent chaps and nearly happy to be photographed and filmed. They did by mistake, take my passport, but a couple of hours later brought it back. Rafa asked what they would’ve done had we not been back down on the pontoons. They said you told us where you were going, we would’ve brought it there, now that would’ve been funny sat in a bar and a whole load armed military chaps walk in and hand me my passport.

27/07/2026

Heading up the North West side of Spain heading towards A Coruña and getting rougher the further North I go. Motor sailed most of today in 20/25kts winds fishing boats and nets, lobster pots and all sorts of fishing gear everywhere. Add the constant report of Orcas been reported in the A Coruña area and 5 yachts have been attacked with one sunk over tha last few days, my eyes are on stalks 😂 A large pod of ,I think, Bottlenose Dolphins appeared real close and only once, but are so much bigger than the dolphins I’ve been getting get on the bow. I 💩myself nearly, then I realised grey was not black and white.

24/07/2026

Another Dolphin encounter, in fact the whole day was a Dolphin encounter day, they were everywhere. This lot must’ve been with us for 30 minutes or so barging and jostling each other out of the way to get to the prime spot. At least 5 different times we had groups on the bow. I just laid on my belly leaning over the side and watched.
I now know why the Atlantic is so big.. to fit all the Dolphins in. Need to find a way to get better underwater shots, without my go pro getting nocked back in the wave.

23/07/2026

I keep finding a new favourite place to stand, this is looking over the top of the spray hood. Watching the world slip beneath the bow, today we were flying along. No engine on Yay 🎉 hate putting the engine on, can’t wait for the day when if it’s not windy I’m not going far

22/07/2026

And just like that I go from the Mediterranean into the Atlantic, turning North now.

20/07/2026

Coming round the headland of Gibraltar and the only way to describe it is …. It went bonkers 😂 !!! Smooth sailing to 20knot winds then 30 and 40+ in I managed to catch 36 on camera but we were getting battered. And what did the Spanish part of the crew do ? Cooked Paella, as you do

19/07/2026

This is the first time I’ve had Dolphins surfing the bow wave on Oulipo, we passed by a feeding pod and this lot decided to have a bit of fun. Only a short visit but any visit from Dolphins is a good visit and is something that will never ever get old !!

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Rhyl
LL18

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