During the weekend I was researching (as usual) and came across a website where you can enter the top 10 things to do before you die. I took a peak at the Top 10 of all time and was rather surprised when “Sail around the world” came up at number 9!
So many people interested in sailing around the world, yet so few people doing it? What on earth could be the reason that so few people are doing it when so many dream of doing it? Do so few people really follow their dreams, their hearts, their reason for being?
Why? Why? Why?
The only conclusion I could come up with was that the average person out there does not believe they have enough money to do this….
Surprising, because most of my friends have more of that particular resource than me.
But most of my friends think they don’t have enough…
Perhaps the reason is really that they are scared to pack everything up, sell all they have, depart on a trip so outlandish and crazy they can not get past the idea of having it as a dream.
Perhaps it is not money at all that keeps us from achieving our dreams, whatever they are. But rather the lack of desire? If that is the case read no further...
Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown, the fear of change, the kids, the house, the life, our own society? Perhaps it is because we have been trained to own a nice house in a nice area, send our kids to a good school, work for the boss to earn a living and retire when we are old enough, with enough money to live the rest of our lives comfortably.
Perhaps we need to shift the perspective of society and change the way we all think. Life’s too short not to follow your dreams!
Go on everyone, take just one step today towards achieving your ultimate dream, take one step everyday towards it and you may be surprised to suddenly realise you can have your dreams and live them too!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Homeschooling decisions
13 March 2010
Rauen went on a leadership camp this weekend. It is also the same weekend as the open day at Ashton, the high school Keagan is currently at and that Amy matriculated from last year. This is the first real shock of our decision for me. That sounds a little crazy considering how soon we plan on leaving and the number of things we have done towards this goal but let me explain.
Up until this point, we have been making a move towards moving full time aboard, but none of the actions we have taken as yet have really affected the future should we change our minds.
The most difficult part of all of this is that I am still not completely sure how the home schooling system works, what level of teaching will be required and how much is expected from the parent with regards to the education and a million more questions that flit though my mind every second. I have ordered a DVD explaining all of these questions and more and will only receive it next week so my nerves are finished at the moment. Critical timing as the entrance exam is on Monday and I will only receive the DVD on Wednesday. But we are leaving in December so all of this is really only my own (surely natural) insecurity. This will all work out perfectly, boat high school here we come!
Rauen went on a leadership camp this weekend. It is also the same weekend as the open day at Ashton, the high school Keagan is currently at and that Amy matriculated from last year. This is the first real shock of our decision for me. That sounds a little crazy considering how soon we plan on leaving and the number of things we have done towards this goal but let me explain.
Up until this point, we have been making a move towards moving full time aboard, but none of the actions we have taken as yet have really affected the future should we change our minds.
- We have taken a skipper course and passed the licence but we could just use the skipper’s licence to sail on weekends and holidays.
- We have paid the deposit on the sailing yacht and will be paying the balance shortly, but we could use the yacht for weekends and holidays.
- We have started selling our furniture and belongings, but we could replace them if we decided to stay.
- Etc, etc, etc
The most difficult part of all of this is that I am still not completely sure how the home schooling system works, what level of teaching will be required and how much is expected from the parent with regards to the education and a million more questions that flit though my mind every second. I have ordered a DVD explaining all of these questions and more and will only receive it next week so my nerves are finished at the moment. Critical timing as the entrance exam is on Monday and I will only receive the DVD on Wednesday. But we are leaving in December so all of this is really only my own (surely natural) insecurity. This will all work out perfectly, boat high school here we come!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Selling Bluefin...Buying Yrumoar
8th March 2010
Sorry it took so long to post about our trip but it has been crazy since we returned.
Basically we have decided to purchase the beautiful yacht we saw in Richards Bay. We have paid the deposit on the boat and are waiting for the haul out and inspection to go as planned. We will rename her Yrumoar and transfer her into our names at the same time.
We got a fantastic deal, we received a watermaker, tender, liferaft, tools and spares with the yacht. The spares include whole new Harkin selftailer winches, complete toilet, shower and bath sets, antifoul paint, non-skid paint, fibreglass and resin. The boat has just been refitted and we were really impressed by the layout.
We paid across the deposit and are now waiting for the haulout, survey and new solid bimini to be fitted. She is absolutely the most beautiful yacht we have seen, it is one of those “ We new instantly” moments in life. Guess when it’s right, it’s right.
Apart from buying a new yacht it has been absolutely hectic!
We started listing our belongings on Gumtree, the South African Ebay, and have had a fantastic response. Our belongings are selling like hotcakes.
The best thing we have sold so far is our yacht. Yes, not only have we purchased a yacht but we have sold one too. We put Bluefin up for sale last week Thurday evening at 9pm. We had about 42 phone calls before lunch time on Friday. Then we had Danie come up from Piet Retief to have a look on Saturday last week. On Monday morning on our way down to Richards Bay he called and said he will definitely take it.
As we agreed to meet this past Saturday, on Friday evening we headed off to the Vaal to have one last evening aboard. Whilst walking along the pontoon we past Gus and Pauline who told us about their trip. They are planning on leaving in a similar time frame. They too have purchased a yacht, a 63 or 65 foot (sorry way too much fun was had) steel monohull with a cutter rig named Irene. We spent a fantastic evening with them, dreaming and chatting about our future voyages etc. They will also be mooring at Richards Bay before departing so I am sure we have a heap more fun before we drop the lines and head off into the horizon.
Early Saturday morning we took Bluefin out for a quick sail with Danie as part of performing the handover. Kyle, normally completely stressed whilst physically sailing was in his element. He was walking around in the cockpit, climbing up front with me and then as we entered the marina he burst into tears. Well, you could have blown me over with a feather, Kyle cried uncontrollably. Through his sobs he explained he would miss Bluefin, that he loved her and had so much fun on her over the last year. He finally said “ Mom, you only find out you love something when it is gone, I’m sorry I was scared before.” The only consolation was that we have now purchased Yrumoar and maybe he would enjoy that trip a lot more. Seems selling Bluefin has helped reduce Kyle’s fear. Who would have thought? Once the handover was complete we headed off to the bank to do the transfer making it a done deal in only 1 week.
Who said there is a recession?
Sorry it took so long to post about our trip but it has been crazy since we returned.
Basically we have decided to purchase the beautiful yacht we saw in Richards Bay. We have paid the deposit on the boat and are waiting for the haul out and inspection to go as planned. We will rename her Yrumoar and transfer her into our names at the same time.
We got a fantastic deal, we received a watermaker, tender, liferaft, tools and spares with the yacht. The spares include whole new Harkin selftailer winches, complete toilet, shower and bath sets, antifoul paint, non-skid paint, fibreglass and resin. The boat has just been refitted and we were really impressed by the layout.
We paid across the deposit and are now waiting for the haulout, survey and new solid bimini to be fitted. She is absolutely the most beautiful yacht we have seen, it is one of those “ We new instantly” moments in life. Guess when it’s right, it’s right.
Apart from buying a new yacht it has been absolutely hectic!
We started listing our belongings on Gumtree, the South African Ebay, and have had a fantastic response. Our belongings are selling like hotcakes.
The best thing we have sold so far is our yacht. Yes, not only have we purchased a yacht but we have sold one too. We put Bluefin up for sale last week Thurday evening at 9pm. We had about 42 phone calls before lunch time on Friday. Then we had Danie come up from Piet Retief to have a look on Saturday last week. On Monday morning on our way down to Richards Bay he called and said he will definitely take it.
As we agreed to meet this past Saturday, on Friday evening we headed off to the Vaal to have one last evening aboard. Whilst walking along the pontoon we past Gus and Pauline who told us about their trip. They are planning on leaving in a similar time frame. They too have purchased a yacht, a 63 or 65 foot (sorry way too much fun was had) steel monohull with a cutter rig named Irene. We spent a fantastic evening with them, dreaming and chatting about our future voyages etc. They will also be mooring at Richards Bay before departing so I am sure we have a heap more fun before we drop the lines and head off into the horizon.
Early Saturday morning we took Bluefin out for a quick sail with Danie as part of performing the handover. Kyle, normally completely stressed whilst physically sailing was in his element. He was walking around in the cockpit, climbing up front with me and then as we entered the marina he burst into tears. Well, you could have blown me over with a feather, Kyle cried uncontrollably. Through his sobs he explained he would miss Bluefin, that he loved her and had so much fun on her over the last year. He finally said “ Mom, you only find out you love something when it is gone, I’m sorry I was scared before.” The only consolation was that we have now purchased Yrumoar and maybe he would enjoy that trip a lot more. Seems selling Bluefin has helped reduce Kyle’s fear. Who would have thought? Once the handover was complete we headed off to the bank to do the transfer making it a done deal in only 1 week.
Who said there is a recession?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Shopping for a yacht
I can’t believe it. We are packing to go down to Richards Bay early tomorrow morning to have a look at the 1st of 2 Fairweather catamarans we have booked to look at. We will be making an offer on one of these over the next few weeks…I am so looking forward to that. Finally having the yacht of our dreams and starting the serious work of leaving on our great adventure!
We decided to take the 3 boys with us, this will give us a sense of the actual space on the yacht with all of us on board, considering the amount of time we will spend on the yacht we find this imperative. We can also get everyone’s opinion and everyone’s preferences with regards to the yacht. We will be able to discuss what we each like and don’t like about the yacht. What we would change if we made the offer, what we would keep, who would have which bedroom and how the bathroom usage would work. We feel it is very important to involve all the boys in these decisions as the change in lifestyle affects us all.
Before we leave, Barry and I will sit down and make a few lists, lists of what to look for in a mechanical, technical and cosmetic line with regards to the yacht. We will be noting the sails, rigging, plumbing, wiring, batteries, spares, electrics, mast, tender, motors and layout. We will split each section into finer details and have a list of questions and specific items to take careful view and note of.
Our Section headings are:
We are also spending Monday night at my sister’s place, I am looking forward to that as we don’t get to see each other very often considering she lives 600 odd km’s away. So that will make for a fun and enjoyable evening.
Wish us luck as we head out into the great blue yonder!
We decided to take the 3 boys with us, this will give us a sense of the actual space on the yacht with all of us on board, considering the amount of time we will spend on the yacht we find this imperative. We can also get everyone’s opinion and everyone’s preferences with regards to the yacht. We will be able to discuss what we each like and don’t like about the yacht. What we would change if we made the offer, what we would keep, who would have which bedroom and how the bathroom usage would work. We feel it is very important to involve all the boys in these decisions as the change in lifestyle affects us all.
Before we leave, Barry and I will sit down and make a few lists, lists of what to look for in a mechanical, technical and cosmetic line with regards to the yacht. We will be noting the sails, rigging, plumbing, wiring, batteries, spares, electrics, mast, tender, motors and layout. We will split each section into finer details and have a list of questions and specific items to take careful view and note of.
Our Section headings are:
- General boat information
- Hull
- Deck
- Cockpit Area
- Rigging (standard and running)
- Sails, Mast, winches and other sailing parts
- Hull interior
- Interior layout and design (includes size)
- Tanks
- Plumbing
- Electricals
- Electronics
- Safety Equipment
- Engine
- Ground tackle
- Inventory
- Other equipment
We are also spending Monday night at my sister’s place, I am looking forward to that as we don’t get to see each other very often considering she lives 600 odd km’s away. So that will make for a fun and enjoyable evening.
Wish us luck as we head out into the great blue yonder!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Cost of Sunglasses
The realisation hit me that we literally have 10 months to go until we leave our home and move onto the boat. Oh, all the things to get sorted, sold, organised and completed by then…
I started pricing items and am hoping to start listing them for sale over the next week. Hopefully things will sell and we will slowly empty our house of all possessions so the transition happens easily. Both our boys are busy sorting through their own personal things deciding what to keep, what to sell and what to throw away or donate. We decided all their earning from sales will go directly into their savings, all our earnings will go into our cruising kitty. Here’s to that kitty growing into a giant cat (hehe)
Last night I sat down to do yet another calculation as to the total cost of the trip. The amount of money we expect to earn and the amount we need to pay out over the 36 month period we are planning on being away for. I can’t believe how much it all adds up to. We are working on an annualised budget for 3 years. This will include all our expected costs and expenses including our land based child/children as well as our children on board. (Kids on board cost way less than those that stay behind on land)
We took a trip to Randburg this morning to visit a marine store Texwise. We decided to take the trip as they had sailing shoes on special. We spent a bit of time in the store having a look at the sailing shoes, heavy weather jackets (oilies), sunglasses and some other bits and pieces relating to yachts.
Barry liked 1 pair of shoes so we took that, I really liked the heavy weather jackets but they were pricey, even on special so we thought we should overnight it. We tried on a few pairs of sunglasses as our last pairs “Bondiblue” have had better days and we need new one’s before our trip to Langebaan. We found the perfect pair "blueye loaded" and headed for the tills. Once the items were rung up we got the surprise of our life as it came to way more than anticipated (maybe those heavy weather jackets weren’t so pricey after all). The sunglasses were so expensive we actually had to hold our breath not scream, they better be good, no great. We paid, left the store and the whole way home I just sat in silence considering the cost of the sunglasses. I got caught this time, my own stupidity, I really should have asked how much they were but hey, they are sunglasses and the last pair cost R 350.00 or so.
Well there you have it, I over spent today and wish I had not gone out for the “special” on the shoes as it landed up costing a whole lot more than I wanted to pay!
Everyday I read a blog about another couple leaving at the end of the year with their 2 small daughters on board, they are always discussing money and how to save and take care of it. I am usually very good at this but today I feel like I failed miserably!
Oh well, school fees paid, moving on, I won’t pay those again!
I started pricing items and am hoping to start listing them for sale over the next week. Hopefully things will sell and we will slowly empty our house of all possessions so the transition happens easily. Both our boys are busy sorting through their own personal things deciding what to keep, what to sell and what to throw away or donate. We decided all their earning from sales will go directly into their savings, all our earnings will go into our cruising kitty. Here’s to that kitty growing into a giant cat (hehe)
Last night I sat down to do yet another calculation as to the total cost of the trip. The amount of money we expect to earn and the amount we need to pay out over the 36 month period we are planning on being away for. I can’t believe how much it all adds up to. We are working on an annualised budget for 3 years. This will include all our expected costs and expenses including our land based child/children as well as our children on board. (Kids on board cost way less than those that stay behind on land)
We took a trip to Randburg this morning to visit a marine store Texwise. We decided to take the trip as they had sailing shoes on special. We spent a bit of time in the store having a look at the sailing shoes, heavy weather jackets (oilies), sunglasses and some other bits and pieces relating to yachts.
Barry liked 1 pair of shoes so we took that, I really liked the heavy weather jackets but they were pricey, even on special so we thought we should overnight it. We tried on a few pairs of sunglasses as our last pairs “Bondiblue” have had better days and we need new one’s before our trip to Langebaan. We found the perfect pair "blueye loaded" and headed for the tills. Once the items were rung up we got the surprise of our life as it came to way more than anticipated (maybe those heavy weather jackets weren’t so pricey after all). The sunglasses were so expensive we actually had to hold our breath not scream, they better be good, no great. We paid, left the store and the whole way home I just sat in silence considering the cost of the sunglasses. I got caught this time, my own stupidity, I really should have asked how much they were but hey, they are sunglasses and the last pair cost R 350.00 or so.
Well there you have it, I over spent today and wish I had not gone out for the “special” on the shoes as it landed up costing a whole lot more than I wanted to pay!
Everyday I read a blog about another couple leaving at the end of the year with their 2 small daughters on board, they are always discussing money and how to save and take care of it. I am usually very good at this but today I feel like I failed miserably!
Oh well, school fees paid, moving on, I won’t pay those again!
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