A free Long-Term Cruising Symposium is being held at the ExCel London Boat Show by the organisers of the Blue Water Round the World Rally, who also run the annual Biscay Triangle Rally. The two-hour symposium is on Saturday 16 January from 12.30pm until 2.30pm in the auditorium at 31/32 South Gallery, Eastern End, South Hall. The main speaker, on yachts, equipment and offshore preparations, is Andrew Roberts, a former technical director of Chay Blyth‘s round the world yacht race, who also helped prepare Dee Caffari’s Aviva for the 2008-09 Vendee Globe. Round the world cruising sailors Hugh and Shan Evans will share their experiences of sailing their Westerly Oceanlord in the 2007-09  and a panel of experts will discuss cruising considerations. For more details contact Tony Diment (email: tony.diment@btinternet.com; or Tel 01929 472 136)