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Daring to dream of Sicily? It’s the combination of waiting and not knowing that is most frustrating. Here we are, in beautiful Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne, enjoying the sunshine and 30-degree heat, whilst eating lovely food and enjoying trips to the Dordogne. What could be nicer? Yet, a significant part of my thoughts resides in Arbatax, wondering what progress, if any, is being made on Missy Bear by the shipyard. It’s only been a week-and-a-half since the haul-out. I don’t want to

Monastery next to the shrine at Bonaria You’ll have all heard our news by now, so I won’t dwell on that. Other than having to sort out insurance and getting a boatyard booked, we actually had a really nice time in Cagliari. Richard planned a lot of sight-seeing to keep us busy, and we certainly walked a good few miles, and up and down hills. The Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria was quite poignant, as it is a shrine to distressed sailors. Mr Cheeseman. The restaurants were great

Whilst in Arbatax, on the east coast of Sardinia, awaiting Missy Bear’s admission to Yacht hospital, I continued reading a book that Alix had bought for me from the Oxfam bookshop in Cirencester, where she volunteers. It is called ‘Portillo’s Hidden History of Britain ’. I quite like Michael’s narrative style and I can recommend the book, which basically looks at the stories behind some of Britain’s fabulous buildings, some of which are soon to be re-purposed. Cambridge Milit

Ricciardo driving the mobile hoist this morning Where it happened! Anyone following our track on Marine Traffic today (Saturday 21st) might be puzzled to see Missy Bear re-tracing her steps back up the south-east coast of Sardinia. It’s a long story, starting last Saturday lunchtime: We slipped our moorings at the lovely Santa Maria Navaresse, to head further south. After two nights in a marina, we thought that it would be nice to anchor overnight somewhere about 20NM south.

“ The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again ” – George Miller, film director (' Mad Max ', and to calm him down afterwards, ' Happy Feet ') Many years ago, I would have said that my favourite cuisine was French. Then I decided that it was too set in its ways, and actually I preferred Spanish, especially tapas. And even more especially, the modern tapas, which can be works of art in their own right [ Ed, such as Pintxos in Bilbao ]