A sporadic blog of my time aboard Molly of Mylor. We are based in the Solent and take advantage of the numerous interesting places to visit in the area of the English Channel. We regularly attend OGA rallies for gaff-rigged boats, both in the Solent area and further afield. We also like to make occasional cruises over longer distances. Much of what goes on is recorded in my YouTube Channel called Meandering Molly, but I post here in between videos and especially on trips.
West Country MeanderingsThis season we have managed several rallies and a long trip in the Summer. It kicked off at the end of July when Niki and I set off, accompanied with Brian of Puffin Bach , to deliver…
OGA in GloucesterThe 2025 AGM for the gaffers’ association was held in historic Gloucester, at the confluence of the mighty Severn river and the Sharpness canal. National AGM’s don’t have an inspiring…
Video: standing mast route to DordrechtI’ve been busy editing the video clips from this summer and posted an episode on my YouTube channel. This one covers the journey from Hellevoetsluis to Dordrecht (covered in this blog post…
From Canal to ChannelNieuwpoort light I left Nieuwpoort before light and experienced that sailor’s privilege, to see the sun rise out of the sea. I made my way close inshore against the last of the eastgoing…
The last lockWith the strong south westerlies from the remnant of storm Ernesto finally abating, it was time to leave the seclusion of the canal system and return to la mer . Leaving Middelburg Exiting…
Return to MiddleburgA peaceful sunrise in Oude Tonge The weather was still pretty boisterous and also straight out of the SW, so we had a day of motoring into the wind from Oude Tonge, through the Krammer…
Hidden havensNumansdorp harbour at the end of its canal An advantage of travelling with a local is that you see places that might well otherwise pass beneath the radar. Our latest two stops are good…
Back through the canalsPassing through the Oranjesluis back into the canals During the rally, we enjoyed an extended period of warm, sunny weather but the remnants of hurricane Ernesto upset this fair spell.…
An ending at EnkhuizenAt Hoorn, we were joined by Alice and her friend Leah, who had been inter-railing together since finishing their exams in June. The first battle of the Zuiderzee Molly and Lahloo rafted at…
MarkermeerDownwind in light airs on the Markermeer After two weeks cruising the canals and lakes of Holland along the standing mast route, Molly is now back to more open water. Leaving Haarlem Niki…