Steve Pickard is the Pilot book editor for Mediterranean Spain, including the Straits of Gibraltar all the way to the French border

In this Imray podcast (together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation). Steve Pickard brings to life, with Podcaster Ceri, some of his favourite Med Spain areas together with some words of wisdom for both the new and returning cruiser.

Steve first came to the Mediterranean region in the winter of 1978 on a delivery trip from the Hamble to Greece. In Gibraltar he took over a Nicolson 39 that had spent Christmas hove to off NW Spain. Almost certainly as a result of these excesses the rudder dropped off on their first night out from Gib when he was amazed to find out how warm the winter sea was! As Almeria drew close he was treated to his first sight of Moorish Spain with the town’s imposing castle dominating the very welcome port. Steve has cruised this coast many times since and always too quickly has found that the slower the progress, the greater the rewards.

To order your copy of this fascinating pilot book just go to:

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/Mediterranean/IB0236-1/

For this edition of Explore More with Imray, together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation, podcaster Ceri meets up with Linda Lane Thornton to talk about the pilot book she co writes with Anne Hammick FRIN and Hilary Keatinge.......The Atlantic Islands. This amazing book covers; Bermuda, Azores, Madeira Group, Canary Islands and Cape Verdethe.

Linda started off sailing a little Wayfarer dingy, before progressing to completing an Atlantic circuit including a visit to the Azores.

She then married Andy, who was at that time a complete Novice sailor, so they went off chartering in the Greek islands before buying there own Nicholson, half Tonner, that they sailed out of Blyth, Northumberland, before trading up to a Nicholson 35 in 2006.(Andy said it was her birthday present!!). On which they sailed over 5,000 miles, completing a complete circumnavigation that ended up in…… the Azores!

After three more Atlantic circuits they finally settled on São Jorge, in the Azores over 15 months ago.

To order your own copy of this fascinating book goto; https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0235-1/

Welcome to another edition in our series Explore More with Imray as Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to more of the contributors that work with Imray. Today’s guests are Rod and Lu Heikell, editors of the Greek Waters Pilot and Ionian  

Growing up in the west country Lu gained a love of cruising and dinghy sailing from her father, Peter. Then met up with her husband Rod in 1999 when she joined him as crew on a trip from the Azores to Gibraltar…..

Born in New Zealand, Rod Heikell, abandoned academic life in the UK, and sailed a 1950s, 20 foot plywood yacht down to the Mediterranean where he worked in the charter market. Until in ignorance of the scale of the task, he decided to write a yachtsman’s guide to Greece. Over the past five decades, together with Lu, they have produced a whole host of pilot books covering everywhere from the Med to the Indian ocean, along with many other books and novels.

Now, living on the Isle Of Wight, when they're not on their beloved yacht Skylax, they work on their books and enjoy cooking great food.

For your copy of these pilot books just go to: 

https://www.imray.com/publications/Books/IB0211-1/

Marine podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones meets up with the Editor of Imray publications Jane Russel to talk all things about sailing with families on board. Jane shares some fascinating insights into how she and her husband have traveled hundreds of miles, relatively stress free, whilst keeping young folks entertained and very safe!

Jane Russell grew up with parents who were big dinghy sailors, meeting her husband through the same route! After university, instead of being sensible and buying a house, they bought an old steel boat, living and cruising on her knowing almost nothing!! As she says 'it all built from there'! With many sea miles under the keel from sailing to various destinations around the world, they landed back in the West Country in 2000.

Once children arrived, right from the word go, they had them on board, as they continued to cruise extensively.   

On behalf of Imray marine Podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones meets up with Peter Harvey, editor of The Tidal Havens of The Wash and Humber who’s sailing origins are all based on the East coast, where he's well used to boating around in muck, as opposed to mucking around in boats!

Peter's love of all things that float goes right back to his school days, when the boat he built wouldn’t actually fit out of the woodwork room! After serving in the Royal Navy he got involved in various forms of Marine consultancy, that led him back to the Wash where he was involved in the design and building of Wisbech yacht Harbour, of which he later became harbormaster. Now retired, he dedicates his time to helping the sailing community to explore more of his favourite part of the UK.

To get your own copy of this fascinating pilot book just click here. https://www.imray.com/Publications/Other+publishers+Pilot+books,+handbooks,+almanacs/IB0176/ 

Managing Director Lucy Wilson talks to podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones about Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd nautical publications, who produce over 250 charts, 100 pilot books and cruising guides, along with a series of apps for the digital era. 

It’s a time of change, not only for Imray but also within the wider marine industry as sailing habits are changing and technology open up huge opportunities. 

It’s an exciting challenge and one that Lucy couldn’t take on without the rest of the wider family at Imray! 

Listen to this podcast to hear more about what the future holds for this amazing 300 year old company @imraynautical

This is a bonus edition in our series Exploring Sailing Topics with Imray with Ceri Hurford-Jones.

Today’s special guests not only know about all the places to visit, but they will probably help influence your culinary choices on the way! On this podcast they talk about some of their experiences sailing to some of the most amazing and uplifting coastlines around.

Born in New Zealand, Rod Heikell, abandoned academic life in the UK, and sailed a 1950s, 20 foot plywood yacht down to the Mediterranean where he worked in the charter market. Until in ignorance of the scale of the task, he decided to write a yachtsman’s guide to Greece. Over the past five decades, together with his wife Lou, they've produced a whole host of pilot books covering everywhere from the Med to the Indian ocean, along with many other books and novels.

Lou Heikell, met her husband when she joined him as crew on a trip between the Azores to Gibraltar, many sea miles and a circumnavigation later, they have lived loved and worked together for nearly 20 years. Now, living on the Isle Of Wight, when they're not on their beloved yacht Skylax, they work on books and cooking great food.

Explore Sailing topics with Imray and Ceri Hurford-Jones, today’s guests are Dinah and Trevor Thompson who have been keen sailors since childhood.

Trevor began his time at sea with a brief stint in the Merchant Navy. Dinah began sailing in Poole harbour. Then together in 1973, they got together pooling their resources to buy a 17ft sailing cruiser, getting as far as St Ives with her.

Various adventures and boats later they purchased Joleta of Pettycur, a 26' junk rigged beauty in which they set off to sail to the Mediterranean, and the boat which was their floating home in the Adriatic.

Keen to pass on their knowledge to the next generation, both have formed deep relationships with their local Sea Cadet Corps, but their Magnum Opus is, The Adriatic Pilot first published by Imray in 1986 and now in its eighth edition.

Please follow the link for more information;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0240-1/ 

Ceri talks to another great guest in the series Explore Sailing topics with Imray, together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation.   

Today’s guest is Andrew Wilkes the editor of Arctic and Northern Waters pilot book. Andrew started his working life as a Radio Officer in the merchant navy but came ashore in his twenties to work in the telecoms industry. He’s been an active cruising sailor ever since with stints at the helm of everything from a dingy to a 67ft steel Challenge yacht.

He’s an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor who with his wife, Máire sail their 56 ft steel gaff cutter, Annabel J, to some of the world’s most remote places; from Argentina to the Baltic, and from the Faroe Islands to Alaska.

When not on his own boat, Andrew sails with the Ocean Youth Trust, a charity which takes disadvantaged young people to sea

To find out more about his pilot book please go to;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0209-2/

Welcome to another edition in our series Explore Sailing topics with Imray as Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to more of the contributors that work with Imray. Today’s guest is Lu Heikell co-editor of Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot

Growing up in the west country Lu gained a love of cruising and dinghy sailing from her father, Peter. Then met up with her husband Rod in 1999 when she joined him as crew on a trip from the Azores to Gibraltar…..they have been together now for over twenty years and live on the Isle of Wight when not on their yacht ‘Skylax'.

Click here for a copy of Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0194-1/