August, 2004

Porto di Roma, Ostia, Italy

Leo and Ida Killigrew took possession of their brand new 47foot Benneteau 473 and named it "Affinity 473".  As you can see from the photo above they were pretty pleased with themselves and their beautiful new yacht.

Stan and Glenice Duffy were there to help them move all their belongings over to the new yacht and Stan was anxious to see the navigation equipment was all in order.

The new Affinity 473 was moved onto the hard stand at Porto di Roma for the winter months and Leo had left instructions for some additions to be made in the form of extra equipment, all this work he wanted completed by the end of May 2005 when he and Ida would return with crew for their next adventure.

If you have just joined our website for the first time you can visit the websites of the last two trips taken in Europe on www.freewebs.com/stanandglenice2003 and www.freewebs.com/stanandglenice2004.

May, 2005

Leo has word from his contacts in the Rome marina that the work he requested has been completed and the yacht will be in the water when he arrives on the 30th May.  He was naturally delighted but has some reservations as to what the "Italian done" means, but time will tell!

There was a get together of the group of keen sailors who have been part of the annual cruises to Europe to discuss the next moves of the good ships Affinity 473 and Matilda V.  Owen and Judy West of Matilda V will be picking up their yacht in Pescara on the east coast of Italy where they stored it after their last year's cruise in the Greek islands.  They will be then sailing over to the Croatian islands where they will be joined by members of their family arriving from various parts of the globe. The two yachts hope to meet up during the following months.

Affinity 473 crew this year will be owners and skippers Leo and Ida, navigator Stan Duffy and wife Glenice , the scribe of the crew,  Peter Robinson and Jan, all from Perth.  We will dearly miss our crew members Margaret Hyatt and Kevin Davey this year but we know they will be with us in spirit.  Peter Robinson is an experienced sailor and was on the first trip from Les Sables d'Olonne as a member of the crew of Matilda V we all look forward to sailing with him and Jan. 

Leo has purchased all the pilot books and sea charts for the Croatian islands and with these on board and an able crew Affinity 473 will be ready for her first adventure. 

We have opened a guest book and hope you will join us along the way with your greetings and comments.