With October just around the corner and the veil between worlds traditionally said to grow thin, it feels fitting to turn our thoughts to ancient folklore and the mysteries of the sea. Autumn’s restless winds stir the trees and whisper through the rigging, carrying tales of wise women and witches who were once believed to hold sway over the weather itself. These were the wind witches,
News
Nautical Sayings and their Origins
So many of the phrases we use every day come from the language of sailors and life at sea. Centuries of seafaring have shaped the English language in ways we often don’t realise.
From being told to pipe down to liking the cut of someone’s jib, here are some familiar nautical sayings and the stories behind them.
The Tall Ships Races and Regattas – A Guide to Sail Training International’s Events
There are few sights quite as impressive as a fleet of Tall Ships arriving in port. From traditional square-riggers to smaller sailing vessels, the ships and their crews regularly attract huge crowds when they visit ports around Europe and further afield.
Galley Recipe – One-Pot Pasta Primavera
Fresh, light, and full of flavour, this galley recipe one-pot pasta primavera is the perfect meal to cook in a small galley or at home when you want something quick and comforting.
Docktails: Refreshing Drinks for Sailors to Enjoy Safely at the Dock
After a day on the water, there’s nothing quite like tying up, kicking back, and watching the sun slip below the horizon. Sailors have always enjoyed the ritual of a sundowner, but cocktails and sailing don’t mix – and even when safely moored, alcohol can still carry risks. Nobody wants an evening ruined by a slip off the pontoon.
The Best Breakup Albums to Mend a Sailor’s Soul
Every so often, an album comes along that perfectly captures the messy, cathartic, and sometimes oddly comforting experience of heartbreak. The latest to do so is Lily Allen’s new album West End Girl – a sharp, honest, and often funny exploration of love gone wrong.
How the Antarctic Circumpolar Current Shapes Our Climate and Oceans
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the world’s largest and most powerful ocean current. Encircling Antarctica, it flows continuously from west to east through the Southern Ocean and is the only major ocean current to travel completely around the globe.
The Essex: The True Story Behind Moby Dick
Long before Herman Melville penned his famous tale of obsession and vengeance on the high seas, a real-life maritime tragedy unfolded that would inspire one of the greatest novels ever written. The story of the whaleship Essex is one of courage, endurance, and survival against impossible odds.
Sailing Crew Opportunities – Summer 2026
Summer 2026 is already proving to be a fantastic season for sailing adventures. Our latest Sailing Crew Opportunities – Summer 2026 roundup showcases another exciting selection of voyages from Lovesail members, ranging from Mediterranean island cruising to ambitious bluewater passages across the Pacific and Atlantic.
Harpooning Hearts: If Captain Ahab Wrote a Dating Profile
There was much hilarity in the office today as we pondered what Captain Ahab might write in a dating profile if he were single, harpooning hearts instead of whales.
Of course, we don’t condone Ahab’s chosen profession (his HR file would be a novel in itself), but it’s fun to imagine how literature’s most intense sea captain might fare on the modern dating seas.