| We completed our circumnavigation at 1430 hours on 20th June when entering the harbour at Palma Majorca. It was here in 1998 that we bought Aldebaran and sailed her back to Ireland. The total distance sailed was 39,915 nautical miles or 45,902 miles or 73,443 kilometres and we are still together, some achievement, I mean being still together!!! Approaching the finish line we asked a yacht beside us to take some pics. They very kindly agreed and have promised to bring them to us in the Marina at Club de Mar, we will keep our fingers crossed. With NOBODY on the dock to meet us, our berthing was very quiet. However there were 5 German men on a chartered catamaran beside us and when we "excitedly" announced our achievement they gave us a bottle of, I am sure it had to be the best quality, champagne which we duly consumed. They were very hospitable and this morning when leaving for their flights home they gave us two bags of non-perishable food and 3 bottles of wine. We will stay in the Marina (  40 plus taxes per night) until Monday 23rd June and thus will begin the final 1,900 n/miles back to Ireland with 3pm on Sunday 24th August being the target for sailing into Howth.
Pat & Olivia Aldebaran Club de Mar Marina, Majorca |