DISTANT SHORES
Presenters: PAUL & SHERYL SHARD
SERIES 5
Episode 1: Westward Out of the Med/London Boat Show
The series begins in Malta where Paul and Sheryl prepare their 37-foot sailboat, Two-Step, for a westward passage out of the Mediterranean. They are there in time for the start of the prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Race where mega- and maxi-yachts from around the world compete on a circuit of destinations in the Central Mediterranean.
Following the race they make the emotional decision that after 18 years of sailing aboard Two-Step it's time for a new boat and reflect back on the places they have visited with Two-Step. Their search for a new boat begins at the London Boat Show in England where they investigate the latest yachts and participate in activities there. While in London they stay with friends living on a sailboat on the Thames River.
Episode 2: Virgin Islands of the Caribbean
While the wet winter winds howl throughout the Mediterranean the Shards store Two-Step for the winter and fly to the Virgin Islands where Paul and Sheryl sail with friends on their 45-foot motor-sailer Diesel Duck based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the heart of the cruising scene in the Northern Caribbean as well as the home of tree-top camping. From here, they sail to the pristine island of Culebra in the Spanish Virgin Islands of Puerto Rico, then on to the British Virgin Islands to learn about Queen Conch.
Episode 3: Bareboat Chartering in the British Virgin Islands
The Shards' next adventure in the Caribbean is to sail aboard a 40-foot catamaran with friends who are experiencing bareboat chartering for the first time. Paul and Sheryl meet them in the British Virgin Islands for an intensive week of sailing, snorkelling, and exploring while learning about chartering and sailing a multi-hull yacht.
Episode 4: Malta to Pompeii, Italy
In the spring, Paul and Sheryl return to their own boat, Two-Step, in Malta just in time for the Good Friday processions where there are island-wide events of street theatre and spectacle. The Shards have decided to buy a brand new cruising boat in England so begin the emotional process of preparing to sell their old boat, Two-Step. The sale of Two-Step is not to conclude until the end of June so Paul and Sheryl make plans for their final cruise aboard the boat they have sailed together for nearly 20 years - a voyage up the west coast of Italy to Naples at the foot of Mount Vesuvius which they climb and later investigate the ancient city of Pompeii, once buried by lava and ash of the volcano.
Episode 5: West Coast of Italy and Sicily
From Naples, the Shards sail south along the west coast of Italy. They cruise along this majestic coastline stopping at small harbours as well as visiting some of the new high class marinas and resorts being developed in the region such as Maratea and Tropea. In Sicily, they meet up with Two-Step's new owners for a week's hand-over cruise down the coast of Sicily and Two-Step's new home in Malta.
Episode 6: Cottage Country, Canada
While the new boat is being built in England, Paul and Sheryl return home to Canada for a summer of boating with family and friends on the cottage lakes and waterways just north of Toronto. They participate in local sailing regattas and regional summer festivals, join in the “pick-your-own” harvest, and also improve their barbecuing skills. But boating doesn't end in the summer time in Canada's Cottage Country. In winter the fun on the water continues with ice boating and ice fishing on Lake Simcoe.
Episode 7: England and the New Boat
At the end of the summer, the Shards fly to England to oversee the final stages of construction of their new cruising boat, a Southerly 42RST. Between visits to the Northshore boat yard near Chichester, they meet up with cruising friends to explore destinations on the south coast including the Solent River, and ports around Falmouth with friends aboard a classic wooden schooner. There is a festive launch party for the new boat at the end of September as she touches the water on the Solent River and the Shards prepare for a voyage south to the Canary Islands.
Episode 8: Bay of Biscay to Spain
The Shards begin an eventful season of cruising aboard their new yacht with a shake-down cruise from the Isle of Wight to Falmouth where they make numerous stops to ports along the south coast before making the jump across the notorious Bay of Biscay in October. After a rollicking passage, they make landfall in La Coruna, Spain.
Episode 9: Spain and Portugal
From La Coruna, the Shards begin a cruise of the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal, visiting small coastal towns along the way. They arrive in Lisbon, Portugal, where the great Portuguese explorers are honoured and learn about the history of navigation before setting sail for the Canary Islands where they will eventually begin their own voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
Episode 10: Canary Islands
Following a week's passage from Portugal in November, Paul and Sheryl cruise through the Canary Islands and enjoy the cultural festivals and foods of the autumn season. In Gran Canaria two friends fly in to join them as crew and they set sail for a 3-week transatlantic passage to Antigua in the Caribbean.
Episode 11: Transatlantic Passage to Antigua
This episode is high seas adventure as Paul and Sheryl and their crew sail the new boat across the Atlantic Ocean. During the 3-week passage, they face good weather and bad, deal with the isolation of being away from land, have numerous encounters with wildlife at sea as well as passing ships, and conclude their voyage in Antigua.
Episode 12: Antigua and Barbuda
Following their arrival in Antigua in December, Christmas celebrations begin and Paul and Sheryl join in the fun, then ring in the New Year island-style. They explore the historic forts and harbours and learn about the island from locals as well as cruising sailors. Between Antigua and St. Martin, lie some of the most lovely Caribbean islands. Paul and Sheryl set sail from Antigua to explore the shallow anchorages of undiscovered Barbuda, then make an easy day’s sail to Nevis, St. Kitts and picturesque St. Barts en route to St. Martin. This is the voyage that everyone who needs an escape from winter dreams of.
Episode 13: St. Martin/St. Maarten
Curious about this island that is divided in the middle – the northern part is French and the southern part is Dutch – the Shards arrive to explore this unusual cruising destination and sample its unique cuisine. Although the island is barely 7 miles in each direction it is probably the best known holiday destination in the Leeward Islands due to its numerous white sand beaches and duty-free bargains.
Episode 1: Passage to Cyprus.
Paul and Sheryl Shard set off on another exciting journey to explore the exotic Eastern Mediterranean. After an overnight sail from Turkey and some difficulties clearing into Cyprus, the Shards sample some local wines and visit a Neolithic village with a local potter.
Episode 2: South Cyprus.
Legend says that Cyprus is the home of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Paul and Sheryl find out about some unusual recipes for aphrodisiacs and some herbal remedies before sailing to North Cyprus.
Episode 3: North Cyprus.
After viewing the oldest recovered shipwreck in history in ancient Kyrenia, now called Girne, the Shards visit the ‘mud’ village of Lefksa and learn to make kleftiko.
Episode 4: Lattakia, Syria.
Paul and Sheryl Shard set off on another exciting journey to explore the exotic Eastern Mediterranean. In this episode the Shards sail to Syria. Once cleared, they drive to Ugarit, Saladin Castle, St. Simeon Monastery, and in Aleppo visit the citadel, covered bazaar and caravansaries.
Episode 5: Damascus, Syria.
The Shards continue their cruise of Syria, learning about Crusader history and visiting Krak des Chevaliers. In Damascus they visit the Omayyad Mosque and follow the path of St. Paul.
Episode 6: Beirut. Lebanon.
Sailing into Beirut during elections, the Shards discover a modern city, thriving in its recovery. They delve into ancient history and visit the ruins of Ba’albeck, a huge Roman temple complex.
Episode 7: Jounieh, Lebanon.
Jounieh is the resort area of Beirut and the Shards view the area by cable car, visit the ancient port of Byblos, visit local wineries and learn about traditional handcrafts.
Epsiode 8: Haifa, Israel.
Paul and Sheryl Shard set off on another exciting journey to explore the exotic Eastern Mediterranean. Arriving in Israel, the Shards are grilled by security officials before being granted entrance to the country. With Haifa as their base, they visit the Baha'i Gardens, Golan Heights and the ancient port of Acre.
Episode 9: Jerusalem, Israel.
From Haifa, the Shards sail down the coast to Herzilya where they leave their boat to travel inland to visit the monuments of the ‘Holy City’ of Jerusalem, sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Episode 10: Jordan.
From Jerusalem the Shards make a road trip to Jordan, meeting many delightful characters along the way, including a camel driver and a Bedouin tribesman. They also visit the ancient ‘pink’ city of Petra.
Episode 11: Suez Canal, Egypt.
Paul and Sheryl Shard set off on another exciting journey to explore the exotic Eastern Mediterranean. Returning to Herzliya, the Shards enjoy the beach culture there, and then explore the restaurants and markets of Tel Aviv before leaving Israel for Egypt, arriving at the famous Suez Canal.