Just a short note. 
We've been setting a schedule now. It is five months minus 6 days before our departure from the US. This past week we set a schedule of things that must happen sooner than later. A visit to the travel health nurse, quotes for insurance for our vessel, a final decision on where we wish to dry storage the boat at the end of our travels in December. This in turns looks to flight availability to and from the final destination. 
Other plans taking shape are our stay in Morocco. Thanks goodness we have help with these plans. There's a lot happening. Still preparing the seat cushions for new fabric. Still sorting out the provision schedule, lists, menus, and the medical kit must haves and just extras. 
I must say, my best source for these pieces of information are the Lin and Larry Pardy books. They are the only ones down to earth enough to get real about what a cruising couple needs to make passages. 
I cannot recommend them enough. If you're going to only make a crossing once that's one thing, but if your plans are to keep up this life style, then the extra attention to certain details they suggest are important. 

We've been making short passages for the last eight years. Our longest passage so far will be the crossing with the ARC+ rally. We are confident it will be a fabulous cruise. 
So, this weeks challenge is to get more reading done, begin measuring fabric to cut before sewing-measure 20 times-cut once. It's time to bite the bullet and order items needed for the galley and for safety. 
Other things to do are to plans to use the new logo and to get the word out about this blog and this website. Thank you Tracey Arvidson and your professional work to create this beauty! Looking forward to seeing it on all our things for the voyage. 
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Our last blog post in the sailblogs site was 30 Aug 2018
Alicante, Spain
Latitude:  38 17.64N
Longitude: 00 30.95W
Those are the coordinates close to where we are now. Mike has made one trip over there as a scouting expedition and discovered several items that need attention prior to our departure in the fall. 
One thing we found out is that our insurance will no longer be effective for US flagged vessels. This is a real problem and I'm not sure of why this has happened. Perhaps it's a political reason or economic. Nonetheless, we are on the hunt for insurance for double handed cruisers who sail cheaply and simply like us. I've discovered there are just a few of us out there still doing it the Pardy way. We are in luck though, we've found an outfit that still thinks about the little guy-the ones who have boats cheaper than $100,000. lol
We attended an ocean sailing seminar which was stellar. We're gained a lot of confidence from that weekend and feel as though we can handle the next challenge ahead of us. We invite you to join us and send us your comments and thoughts as we go forward. We really appreciate hearing from you. It will be a grand time taking you with us via the virtual world.