How Ellie, a Greek Rescue Puppy, Became Our Sailing Dog
On 12 September 2015, a tiny Greek rescue puppy came aboard Ruffles Spray in Lefkas Marina and changed our lives. Her name was Ellie, and at just five and a
n 2002, Ann and I left the UK aboard Ruffles Spray, a 44-foot steel yacht we’d spent five years building ourselves. With our dogs Mitzie and Monty aboard, we headed south towards the Mediterranean, leaving behind our jobs and the conventional life we’d known.
What followed was fifteen years of living aboard, exploring the Mediterranean and discovering that life on a sailing yacht could be wonderful, frustrating, occasionally frightening and often downright hilarious.
This part of our blog is where we share those experiences. From quiet anchorages in the Greek Ionian Islands to crowded harbours, unexpected storms, tricky moorings and the everyday realities of living aboard a yacht.
You’ll find stories from places such as Meganisi, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Corfu, along with the lessons we learnt, the mistakes we made and some of the characters we met along the way.
We loved the freedom, but it wasn’t always sunshine and gentle breezes. Boats break down, anchors drag and sometimes the weather has very different plans from yours.
Would we do it all again? Absolutely!
On 12 September 2015, a tiny Greek rescue puppy came aboard Ruffles Spray in Lefkas Marina and changed our lives. Her name was Ellie, and at just five and a
A quiet Greek harbour, our yacht Ruffles Spray, and a peaceful morning in Vathi, Meganisi, until the flotillas arrived and the quay filled in just 30 minutes.
Imagine waking up to the gentle rocking of the ocean, surrounded by the serene blue expanse, with the horizon stretching endlessly around you. Well, that was what I thought it
The History of the Lefkas Canal Bridge The Lefkas Canal Bridge, located in the Ionian Sea, connects the island of Lefkada to mainland Greece. Its history is rich and intertwined
A Short History of the Island of Meganisi Meganisi, an island in the Ionian Sea of Greece, has a rich and multifaceted history that intertwines with the broader historical narratives
A Short History of Fiscardo Fiscardo, a picturesque village located on the northern tip of Kefalonia, one of the largest Ionian Islands in Greece, boasts a rich history that reflects
Embracing the Tranquil Waters of Meganisi in the Ionian Sea Nestled within the cerulean expanse of the Ionian Sea, the island of Meganisi offers a swimming experience that is nothing
History of the Modern Junk Rig Early Development and Traditional Origins The junk rig, a type of sail design traditionally used in Chinese and Southeast Asian waters, has a history
Today’s sail to Kalami Bay was 37 nautical miles so we left at 09:00 after taking Ellie out for a walk again pointed Ruffles Spray north’ish switched on the autopilot
After nearly two months of ‘getting ready’ we are off, up the Lefkas canal and out into the open Ionian Sea for the first of many legs to Auxonne in
Over the last three months Ann and I have completed a voyage on our Sailing Yacht Ruffles Spray from Lefkas, Greece to Auxonne, France. The voyage was via Paxos, Corfu,
Exploring the Plethora of Pleasure Yachts in the Ionian Sea The Ionian Sea, nestled between Greece, Italy, and Albania, is a captivating maritime playground renowned for its crystal-clear waters, picturesque
In-Depth Study: Why Thunderstorms in the Ionian Sea Happen Often Introduction The Ionian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, is situated between southern Italy, including Sicily, to the west, Greece
The Ionian sea at its best, sunshine, calm, blue, a paradise on the west coast of Greece.
A Short History of Syvota Syvota, also known as Sivota or Syvota Bay, is a picturesque village and harbor located on the southeastern coast of Lefkada (Lefkas) island in the
Yesterday we sailed into Syvotat Bay (well motored anyway) today a walk round the bay from a vantage point of the south road.
A Short History of Aberlaki Bay, Meganisi Island Aberlaki Bay is a picturesque coastal area located on the island of Meganisi, which lies in the Ionian Sea off the western
Read the true story behind this website.
Getting Away
A Dog Narrates Our Wild Escape to the Mediterranean
★★★★★ 4.2 rating on Amazon
Read the true story behind this website.
Getting Away
A Dog Narrates Our Wild Escape to the Mediterranean
★★★★★ 4.2 rating on Amazon
