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Hi Iain. Yes, in real time, we are back in Poole and The Bear is on the market. Our lives and cruising will be very different going forward as any boating will most likely be power and there’ll be a lot more exploration by road. I hope to keep making videos as I enjoy doing it and it makes fabulous memories for us but the content will diversify somewhat so probably won’t appeal to our current sailing audience. However we don’t even know how our plans will pan out or how the videos will evolve going forward! We’ve still got the voyage home to produce when I get a moment but settling back in at home is proving a bit busy right now. However I will get those videos made even if it was more a delivery trip than a pleasure cruise. Thanks for your comment and support and hopefully I’ll be back to finish the chapter soon 😊⛵️

Sad but not surprising. I don’t think that people who’ve never gone long-time cruising can appreciate the subtle but considerable stresses, whether it be missing family or the constant need to be checking on weather, the next passage or the plethora of challenges a boat provides before you even raise a sail. Then you’ve had the pettiness of Schengen to cope with. Still, 3 (I think!) years of it and the things you’ve both done gives you the right to be proud of yourselves; you certainly have my respect. We’re very fortunate in having a home in Cyprus & the boat in the U.K. so we can get the best from both worlds. I hope you can find something that works as well for you both - but I’m glad you’ll be videoing whatever it is as I enjoy the authenticity. Your photography has developed exceptionally well. We send an informal blog to family & friends in the US who are amazed at the variety of the UK’s coastline, so much so that one is coming over for a cruise. Potential market for a new audience for you?!? We’re back in Gosport to rest before taking family up to St Katherine’s in London - weather allowing. All the very best to you both.

Thanks Iain, yes it’s those subtle but continuous pressures that took the edge off the fun and tipped the balance back towards a more home based lifestyle. There are so many factors that influence it but full time liveaboard cruising with no other home to go back to for a break is intense. I didn’t know you had a home in Cyprus as well….that sounds a great set up. I’m sure we’ll find the right balance for us. Watch this space! Thanks again for your support 😊⛵️

Hi Nick, thank you, glad you’re enjoying the videos. Porto Montenegro charged us €3100 which was a 7 months for the price of 5 deal so we arrived on 1st October and departed at the end of April. Our boat is 12 metres. I’m not sure if they still do that deal and have heard prices have gone up…this video was made in 2022. It was a great place to spend the winter out of Schengen 😊

⁠many thanks for coming back to me so fast. We have purchased a Bavaria 36 and I plan to take her from Fleetwood U.K. to Gibraltar in May next year. Then cruise Spain and head over to Italy, Greece maybe over 2 seasons. Just getting the boat ready now. Thanks 🙏 Nick aka “Sailing Sea Star”

Back home 😍⛵️

You know….id never made that link! This was for a different Bill, a follower of our channel who wasn’t very well but I do know of Bill Millin and that line from the film very well….just never put the two together! Anyway thank you for your kind words 😊

​@@FollowIntrepidBearIt really was my pleasure.

Yes..I was sad to leave Gibraltar but it was very special to play this tune as we left 😍

Thanks guys….glad you liked it. Gibraltar is cool. Hope you get a chance to explore it 😊🇬🇮

Thanks Robin…the trail actually felt a lot more solid underfoot than you’d think but it’s not for everybody…we loved it though 😍

Thanks Jim…1915nm is too much movement! And thanks yes we love an adventure for sure, the caving was brilliant and the Camanito Del Rey breathtaking, oh and thanks re the pipes, for me it was one of the best bits of being there 👍🏻😍

It has been helluva season! It almost feels like several seasons in one! How is it only a year ago we hiked Vulcano?! 😃⛵️🌋

Thank you…we loved Gibraltar and Andalusia this past winter. We will be sad to see Intrepid Bear go but after 3 years full time living aboard and sailing too many miles we’re ready for the next adventure a bit closer to home and travelling further afield by more conventional means. Intrepid Bear needs a new crew who will take her to far flung places. Truth be told the Bear is more intrepid than her crew! 😬😂😂😊

@@FollowIntrepidBear my wife is trying to get me to leave and retire 3 years earlier so we can buy a boat and sail!

@@russcharlotteward33 if she’s trying to get you to go sailing she’s definitely a keeper! (No doubt why you married her 😉😍) Anyway I agree with Charlotte, go today we have the perfect boat for you to buy 😉😂😊⛵️

@@FollowIntrepidBear ❤

@@FollowIntrepidBear not sure my lump sum will stretch to cover Intrepid Bear unfortunately

Thank you. We loved Gibraltar and could happily have stayed longer. Everyone says what a lovely chap Sir David is as evidenced by him not wanting to leave anyone out and the very nice personal letter of thanks he sent to the band. It was an honour to play for him. Would have been great to meet him 😍

Thanks Norma 😍

A few people seem to have a dim view of the Guardia Civil but we can’t really comment as we’ve not had a lot to do with them. We were boarded at 4:00am by armed Spanish customs a couple of years ago and this interaction here and both were pleasant and polite but I know friends have found the Guardia to be overbearing and officious so we just got lucky. Don’t think they’d have known we were RUclipsrs though…we’re not that big! 😂😊 It was between Christmas and new year so maybe they were just in the holiday spirit 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks James…Secretly I am a motor boater on a sailboat but don’t tell anyone eh? 😉😂 Glad you enjoyed the episode 👍🏻😊⛵️

It is an epic walk! Almerimar in Spain is one of the cheapest but a bit utilitarian, friends say Motril is really friendly family run and great value but never been ourselves..loads of marinas down there though so a few to choose from! Good luck 😊⛵️

Thank you…not sure the style is intentional it’s just kind of evolved that way but I’m glad you like it. And Gibraltar….yes I (Iain more than Kate) could definitely have been tempted to stay. I really miss the band they were great Gibraltar has so much that I could happily spend a long time there 😊

Aha! Yes I forgot you didn’t know we spent 3 months of winter there as we hadn’t got to that video yet! 😂😂 It was a fabulous stop and I loved playing with the band. I wanted to upload the full parade before the episode so that I could link to it from the episode if anyone wanted to see more 👍🏻😊

I would LOVE to play at the tattoo Norma 😍

I was in the parade Robert….watch again…guest piper, only one in a red kilt 😊

@@FollowIntrepidBear So you were, so you were, well turned out too. Should've read the preamble up top. I just knew you couldn't pass up the chance. A cracking show. ('ere, who do you know in the Gibraltar sea scouts pipe band to get an invite? Was it one of those handshakes?)

@@robertstancer4469 oh you wouldn't believe the devious tricks I had to use to get to play with the band...I did this very devious thing... I asked them! haha! I don't know anyone there and my handshake is very standard. Just sent them a message saying I was a piper visiting and could I join them for 3 months. They were very welcoming 😃

@@FollowIntrepidBear How did you know they were parading in a civic parade and why did you want to parade with them? you exhibitionist you. See this a a rhetorical question 'cos i think we all know why. You love wearing a skirt.

Thanks guys…was awesome to play there 😍

Longest “pedestrian” suspension bridge…you’ll see it if you watch the video, it’s quite something 👍🏻😊

Thanks guys….Yes really enjoyed this winter, especially Gib, more footage of Gib in the next episode 😍🇬🇮

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊

Thanks Jim, it was an awesome little hike but as you say a narrow ledge! Great fun though. As for boat hunting yes having fun dreaming but still need to get Intrepid Bear back to the U.K. and sold first and the weather is not playing ball with that at the moment…patience required! 😬😊

That’s right..the 390 and 391 are very similar, they share the same basic hull but the 391 has a sugar scoop transom with steps whereas the 390 has a flat transom. There are other minor differences but you are right that the 390 is the predecessor to the 391 👍🏻⛵️

​@@FollowIntrepidBear thanks! Seen you on Facebook over the last year, thought I'd come see the yt channel - now I want a najad 390 😂

We’re selling our 391 as it happens 😉😊⛵️

@@FollowIntrepidBear sadly, don't think I'm in the position to buy a blue water cruiser at 16!! I'll stick to my 20ft boat - for now 😂

Ah…fair enough! You’re doing great to have a 20 footer so I’m sure there’s a blue water cruiser in your future one day…Good luck 👍🏻😊⛵️

Hi Kenny, good to hear from you, yes we enjoyed Granada as well. The whole area was pretty awesome…we’ll return one day 😍

The Alhambra is pretty impressive and Andalucia is stunning 😍

The walk was a little hidden gem 😍 Kate is road trip organiser in chief and she digs out these great little spots. Watch out for the Camanito Del Rey next time if you’ve not already been there? It’s mind blowing! 😃

Thanks guys…yes it’s definitely not all sunshine and cocktails eh?! 😬😂⛵️

Thanks Lynn….yep way too many miles! Going home for a rest this season! 😬😂

Hi yes indeed the 391 is a lovely boat, she’s looked after us very well. We did list her for sale late last year then took her off again as we decided to at least sail her back to the U.K. However that journey is getting close to completion and we are likely to be listing her again very soon. Drop us a line if you are interested 😊⛵️followintrepidbear@gmail.com

“When the fun meter is pegged” That’s a great way to put it, I may steal that phrase….thank you 😊⛵️

Hi Jason…thank you for your kind words 😊 Really glad you enjoyed some of what we do. The best way to start learning about sailing would probably to take a course. The RYA do a course called “competent crew” which is an entry level course. That would give you a very basic first look at sailing. From there you can maybe join sailing clubs or look online for crewing opportunities or even get yourself a boat to start gaining experience on. Progressing through the RYA courses would be good but of course can be costly. If you get qualified to Day Skipper then you can charter boats in the Med. A flotilla holiday, where you sail in a group, is a great introduction to Med sailing. Do try and sample the life before you push the button though because, whilst it may appear idyllic, there can be a lot of hard work and frustration and it’s not for everybody. You’ll see how we, at times, are worn out by it which is why we are heading slowly home. We’ll still live on a boat and cruise locally but we want a home base for a while. I’m not trying to put you off I’m just saying it’s not all crystal clear seas and cocktails! Whatever you choose to do then the best of luck to you 😊⛵️

@@FollowIntrepidBear Thats fantastic advice. Thank you very much. I suppose live is like a tide really. Ebb and flow. You may plan to do “x” but the reality of a situation in “modern times” can be quite different. So many things can affect your decision/s. And it can change at any given time. In all my 52 years. The one thing I have learned is …… the sooner you can adjust or accept and new situation, the easier it is on you. Mostly mentally but also physically. Eg like sitting in the pouring rain. Once you accept the rain isn’t going to stop for a while the easier it is mentally to just wait it out :). But saying that. Lifes goals are forever changing. As long as you are real to yourself and accept a new goal or change of goals all the better. As long as it keeps a smile on you and yours face :)))) Sending much love from “sunny uk” lol. I look forward to your next video. Sail safe xx

Aha! That’ll be the same low that’s currently currently halted our northwards progress on the Portuguese coast! Safe passage to Plymouth 😊⛵️

The sea air and motion of the boat will leave you feeling tired but fulfilled at the end of a good days sailing. We were a little jaded with it at that time and happy to stop for a while. Everyone experiences it differently based on alsorts of variables but the only way to find your path is to get out and give it a go! Exciting times for you guys 😍⛵️

Cartagena was lovely Norma…it’s a shame I misfiled a lot of our footage 😬😬

Thank you…I’m not sure the sails bear close scrutiny and have never fully recovered from the mud rain in Gibraltar a couple of years ago but they’re not doing too badly. And yes, for various reasons, we’ve ended up doing too many miles each season. Schengen doesn’t help but we’ve also made tactical errors along the way. Would love a WHOLE season just floating round the Ionian but we’re headed home now where the weather might be worse but we’ll never have that visa time deadline to worry about. There’s just the small matter of 1100 miles home! (Although in real time we’re currently in Porto so only about 5 days sailing from home 😊🇬🇧) There are changes coming but we’ll chat more about that as we get into season 4 and the voyage home 😊

Hi 😊 Well it’s bit beyond my full understanding but apparently inside the diesel injection pump is something called a fuel rack. It controls the speed of the engine but is not directly connected to the throttle. The throttle tells the fuel injection pump what you want but the fuel rack in conjunction with the governor actually controls how much fuel gets to the engine. Apparently it’s not uncommon for that fuel rack to just get gummed up with dirt and age over the years. According to the guy who took the injection pump off it can also result in diesel runaway where the engine revs itself to death unless you shut the fuel off 😱 So he thought we were lucky it was only poor throttle response and cutting out that we suffered! Anyway the mechanic sent it away to a specialist who stripped it and cleaned it all out and it’s fine now. I’m fairly mechanically minded but the inner workings of the fuel injection pump (which is not the same as the fuel supply pump) are a bit of a mystery to me so I was in the hands of others but luckily they did a good job 👍🏻😊

Oh wow! Thanks Iain…much appreciated 👍🏻😊

Thanks guys…yes there are just so many variables. Some people have homes away from the boat they can return to for a break, some have plenty of money for marinas when required, some don’t mind a rolly anchorage and some hate it! So many variables around preferences and personal circumstances that everyone is on a different journey but yes it’s not all sunsets and cocktails that’s for sure. Full time liveaboard life is actually hard work. There are some awesome rewards of course but everyone’s threshold of effort vs reward is different. We’re still finding exactly where our line is! Thanks for the supportive comment I’m glad you enjoy what we do 😊⛵️

Haha yes heard that one too and it’s true most of the time! 😂⛵️

Thank you Vicki. Yes you are absolutely right the Balearic Islands including Ibiza are all stunning in different ways but, whilst sometimes you can get lucky and find protected anchorages, there are very few places with all round protection and sometimes the swell can just suddenly come in from weird angles. If you sail there maybe be prepared for more marina time than you think. Stunning islands not to be missed though 😍⛵️

Thank you so much, will start saving 😂 xxx

Thank you guys, high praise indeed from awesome film makers such as yourselves! We were very glad to have called in at Sa Calobra as it was absolutely jaw dropping. Would love to hike the canyon one day. Cheers 😊⛵️