Heavy rain and a howling wind greeted us as we arrived in Oban on the train. We were exhausted after a busy week at the office and Novara’s cozy saloon and a warm soup from the galley were a welcome respite as we began the unwind from London. We had arrive in time to prepare for our first passage in Novara.

First passages in a new boat are like a first date. A bit awkward at first, and you’re not sure what you can touch and what you can’t. Fortunately, Steve was on hand to act as chaperone. Having circumnavigated the Americas in Novara, Steve knows Novara inside and out and is a calm presence in the flurry of activity to get Novara ready to head south.

With two days of preparation, we had a lot to do. Together with trusty crew Patrick Winkle and Catherine Cassolani, we set to victualling, stowing, fuelling up, scrubbing decks, filling water tanks, the usual story. Not so usual was our lucky connection with the Our Isles, Our Oceans team on the Oban marina dock. We discovered lots in common, so promised to catch up after the voyage. Back to stowing and clearing the decks. Finally we were ready.

The day of departure bloomed bright, and we cast off from Oban. We had a dream passage down to the Mull of Kintyre and then the Irish Sea opened out in front of us at dusk. With a constant wind on the beam we made good time, managing to dodge the ferries and fishing boats along the way. I recall during one of my 3am watches, marvelling at the motion of the boat, the fresh air, the moon overhead and pinching myself. How lucky am I? I also recall in the first day of the Irish Sea feeling mildly green and wondering what on earth I was doing there. I definitely should have taken Steve’s magic pills.

Turning East around Lands End we had the wind behind us, and the sea state calmed down. I was excited to be back in familiar territory from the Fastnet days. There’s the Lizard, Eddystone Light, and then the Isle of Wight that seemed to take ages to approach. Finally we were in Dover, our feeling of achievement at having survived our first date.