Almost all meetings done and almost all reports filed. My last day at work tomorrow and we are off, except for a pitstop at the New Inn on Friday; which might be a bit of a long evening. I have to say here that the support that I have received from the team at Dell has been absolutely amazing, so I suspect they want me back. I know for many of you reading this, that may be hard to believe … Anyway BIG thanks to Dermot my manager, for allowing some time off and indeed to everybody else and I hope everything moves in a positive direction over the summer so that I can return to a steady ship … but we will now try not to mention work any more for a few weeks. But on the subject of ships; home for the next few months looks something like this. 
Sea Star is her name; MMSI 235106866, VHF call sign 2HUZ9 for anybody who would like to track our progress on http://www.marinetraffic.com. Coastguard, please take note :-); if we suddenly disappear from the screen, it probably isn’t because we have turned the transponder off; please come and get us. Anyway, three bedrooms (cabins) two bathrooms (heads), sitting/dining room (saloon), kitchen (galley) and engine room (engine room), fully equipped with hot and cold running water, fridge full of beer and freezer full of other things.
So we leave Padbury, first thing on Monday morning for a ferry to Cherbourg and drive down to La Rochelle, where we hope to find Sea Star in a habitable state bar a good airing and a hose down. All that cleaning to come; so looking forward to that, but before that .. packing. All in a good cause.
Sea Star goes South 
Good luck guys! We’ll be tracking you & looking out for the photos on fb. It’ll be fantastic 😀
Xxx
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How fabulous! Bon voyage!
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Here’s to the big adventure James and Nicky! Looking forward to driving to Portugal to meet up. May the weather be kind and the provisions (beer) plentiful. I’m going to add Jon Anderson who I know will love to follow your course. Enjoy and good luck. 😎👍🍾🍺🍺⚓️⛵️xx
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Happy sailing, we’ll be keeping abreast of your trip! Xx
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Tally-ho neighbours.
Live, have fun, make memories; that’s what it’s all about, like the ‘hokey cokey’!!
Looking forward to reading your blog.
Hope little Toby has good sea legs.
Enjoy!! 👍😊 xxx
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Competent crew at the ready 😊👍
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Whoa! Off on a great adventure! Bon voyage James and Nicky. Looking forward to sailing with you in your blog. Peter and Gill
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FANTASTIC news! So sad that we missed you all while you were literally in my backyard! Enjoy your time away- we are all living vicariously! Hugs to you both!!!
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myötätuulia Jussi!
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Off you go on yr big adventure! I’ll be travelling with you by following this blog. I’ll try not to be too jealous! Have a wonderful wonderful time ⛵😊
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Life on the ocean waves should be idyllic given a great looking Sea Star with all mod cons and a competent crew! Have a fab time. Xxx
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Have a great time chaps! Will track you and may even intercept you on your travels 🙂 …… bet that has scared you!
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Hi James, Nicky & Toby. It all sounds fun and a great adventure. Not sure I would have enjoyed rthe engine failure on your first attempt to head south but the bars and wine all sound glorious. Enjoy. Hopefully Toby will find his sea legs soon and figure out how to relieve himself over board (or over deck). Sara and raise a glass to you from NYC🙂.
Cheers
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Living the dream guys and loving the blog ! We’re off to San Sebastian via Bilbao in a couple of weeks, would have been good to have a glass of vino and get some tapas tips, few weeks too late, safe travels, Carole x
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