Aleria's Adventures

It's getting to be that time of year again, and this year, we are focusing on gifts for the sailor who just goes out and buys whatever he or she wants or likes. And we're concentrating on items available to purchase online as the situation with Covid remains fluid. So here are a few items that caught our attention. We are also focusing on high quality items that are perhaps ecologically more sound due to recycled materials or the longevity of their useful life.  1. Dalvey Voyager Compass A most beautifully engineered pocket compass. Dalvey Compasses are often given as symbolic gifts at times when the recipient’s life is taking a new direction. They can be personalised with engraving – either in the form of initials, a name, a message, or even customised with a graphic motif. 2. Sailing ship whiskey decanter and globe etched glasses An old-fashioned glass sailing ship inside a hand-blown decanter with an artistic world map engraved on the outside. Includes a decanter stand in e...

We've secured our RLNI Christmas cards and will soon be sending them out for the first time in years. Coronavirus has put a hold on so many things in our lives. I've been researching and buying gifts online and having them delivered direct because we won't be able to visit personally any time soon. So I thought I might resurrect the Top Ten Gifts for Sailors again this year. I haven't done it for a few years but this one seems like an exception. So here goes... 1. Here's a most unusual one...Monumental Maritimers Cathy Shelbourne, of Sea Shell Communications, has created a deck of playing cards telling tall tales about colourful characters. In normal times, she travels the world as an enrichment speaker aboard cruise ships, giving talks on maritime heroes and brazen buccaneers. During the coronavirus pandemic, she has put her knowledge, and collection of photos of maritime characters, to good use. Her newly-launched pack of cards is illustrated by major players in t...

In 2009, Alex and I set sail from Ireland in early October heading to the Mediterranean to overwinter. When we got to Portugal, someone told us it was going to be very cold there, so we turned right and went to the Caribbean instead.

The hottest gear with which to ring in 2015 With technology changing at lightning speed, it's hard to keep up with the latest advances that make sense in an extreme environment like blue water sailing. But I managed to compile my wish list of