Dear Mr Roberts,

I last corresponded with you during March 77 from Gladstone, Australia, having sailed singlehanded half way around the world in my NOR WEST 34 (Roberts 34).

The voyage was completed on 1st May 1978, when I sailed into Lymington Harbour, the total distance 34,000 miles.

No big problems, my engine gave out in Darwin and a few of the Islands I'd intended visiting had to be missed. I sailed non stop Darwin to Durban 6,000 miles in 56 days, when I would have preferred to call at Cocos and Christmas Islands. The odd gale on the way home but nothing to worry about.

I found Solitaire very easy to sail and completed the trip singlehanded.

The only work I have to carry out is to paint, and to fit extra fuel and water tanks for my next voyage, which I'm hoping to make of a longer duration after the shake down cruise.

Since my return I've been asked to write articles, and to be honest I'm not interested.

However, I have been on BBC radio and TV; some very good film was taken of the yacht for this programme. Perhaps you could acquire copies by contacting the BBC.

Many thanks for a first class boat.

Sincerely,

Leslie T. Powles

Steel Roberts 34 under construction

Sitting Pretty