Programmes Distant Shores Series 5

1 - Westward Out of the Med

The season 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.
Duration: 30

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-sailor Diesel Duck based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 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.
Duration: 30

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 these verdant and historical islands while learning about chartering and sailing a multi-hull yacht.
Duration: 30

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.
Duration: 30

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 to Two-Step's new home in Malta.
Duration: 30

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. The Shards show the contrast of winter where fun on the water continues with ice boating and ice fishing on Lake Simcoe.
Duration: 30

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 later 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.
Duration: 30

8 - 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.
Duration: 30

9 - Family Islands of the Bahamas

After crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean, the Shards sail north to explore the Commonwealth of the Bahamas beginning with the remote Family Islands of the Bahamas starting with Mayaguana and Acklins Islands in the south. The Bahamas lie in a huge expanse of shallow water and the Shards are keen to investigate life in the settlements while testing out their new shallow-draft sailboat in the quiet anchorages here. In Mayaguana local men teach them how to hunt and cook land crabs. They also dive the spectacular reefs here. Next they sail to Acklins where they try the technique of beaching their boat on the salt flats of the Bight of Acklins, renowned for bonefishing, and later celebrate Mother's Day with the residents of the Lovely Bay settlement.
Duration: 30

10 - Bahamas Outer Banks to George Town

The Crooked Acklins Atoll lies on the outer banks of the Bahamas and the Shards begin their exploration of Crooked Island at French Wells. Here they discover unique underwater creatures living on the salt flats and learn about the importance of mangroves to natural land preservation and reclamation in this region exposed to hurricanes. Next they visit the settlement on Long Cay where cascarilla bark, used to flavour the Italian aperitif Campari is harvested. Crossing the banks to Dollar Harbour they encounter whales and a traditional Haitian fishing sloop and after some tricky navigation through Hog Cay Cut arrive in George Town where local sailors have tamed several stingrays.
Duration: 30

11 - Southern Exumas of the Bahamas

George Town on Great Exuma is the main settlement in the Exuma Island group of the Bahamas and from here the Shards begin their voyage north through this tranquil cruising ground. They first stop in the remote Brigantine Cays where they dive in a cave which is home to huge tarpon. Seeking shelter from an approaching "norther" they discover an unusual characteristic of starfish. In Cave Cay they meet a retired oil baron whose retirement project is to develop an environmentally friendly haven for boaters. In Little Farmers Cay they explore a cave you can swim in and learn the importance of the mail boats to survival in the out islands. Their final stop is Black Point where they meet the artisans of the straw market whose weaving is crucial to the economy of the settlement.
Duration: 30

12 - Northern Exumas of the Bahamas

In the Northern Exumas, Paul and Sheryl discover the wild natural Bahamas. The Bahamas Land and Sea Park has been established here to preserve the diversity of marine and wild life and provide a safe haven for these species to breed and flourish. They meet the Park Warden, a "washed ashore" sailor who introduces them to wonderful reef life including swimming with turtles and on hikes around the islands here they learn about the plant and reptile life. In Hawksbill Cay they explore Loyalist plantation ruins and conclude their voyage in Nassau in time for the Labour Day Parades and celebrations.
Duration: 30

13 - Trent-Severn Waterway and Lake Ontario

Summertime is hurricane season in the Caribbean and Bahamas so Paul and Sheryl travel north to Canada for the summer where they explore the lakes, rivers and cuts of the Trent-Severn Waterway in the province of Ontario. They take down the mast in Lake Simcoe and learn how to safely go through over 40 locks in the Canal including 2 unusual lift locks. They pass through picturesque towns and historic villages, meeting the people and participating in summer festivals on their way to Lake Ontario and the waterfront city of Toronto.
Duration: 30