7th April
Lying in my bed last night it dawned on me that we have sailed in 2 oceans already. We did our day skipper in the warm Indian Ocean and our Coastal Skipper in the cold Atlantic ocean.
By reflecting and comparing the 2 trips I have a pretty good idea of the different oceans, taking my lack of knowledge and ability whilst in the Indian into account I can say the following for certain. The Atlantic was teaming with animal and bird life whilst the Indian had less animal activity. A comparative list reads as follows:
Indian Ocean:
Dolphins visit 1 occasion
Seagulls in the air most days
Whale spotted on 1 occasion.
Atlantic Ocean:
Seals visit daily, almost all the time seeming to race alongside.
Penguins spotted 1 occasion
Whales spotted 2 occasions
Jellyfish spotted in deeper water
Seagulls fill the air
Other bird life everywhere including Cormorants and ducks
The water in the Atlantic is very cold, making the boat hull cold to the touch and dark coloured decks easy to walk on (you normally need shoes it’s so cold). Wear a jacket and long pants whenever sailing and swimming is completely out of the question. The water of the Indian is warm, the hulls are hot and any dark coloured non-skid means burning feet on hot decks. A quick swim whilst anchored is welcome relief from the heat, a pair of shorts or a costume are the order of the day.
I realised from this trip that it is not the wave height that counts but rather the wavelength, comforting, as before leaving we checked the weather on windfinder and found 4.5 metre waves forecast. We compared this to other objects and realised the waves would be the height of our house! For a landlubber that seems pretty steep but once we were out there we managed just fine, gliding over the swells without a second thought. Being on a cat that also meant not heeling over.
I also discovered I suffer from seasickness! Barry said I literally turned green!
Boy oh boy, not the fun I had in mind, but the Sturgeron tablets I took worked like a charm. I will definitely be stocking up on those before we cast the lines off!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sailing Course
4 April 2010
We got back from our “Coastal Skipper practical” late last night. I was sadly disappointed by the whole experience. I did however, take away the most important information I could have hoped to get…we can sail around the world with our current experience and be just fine, that we were correct in our decision to go on a catamaran and that we will have the time of our lives. Pack the bags, board the boat, see you on the water matey!
We went on this course hoping to gain some valuable catamaran sailing experience, unfortunately our trainer spent the 6 days trying to keep everything a secret, prove anything we thought incorrect (often placing us in dangerous situations) and spending more time sulking in the saloon than anything else.
Things we did not appreciate included words like “No, we won’t tack along the shore line because I am too lazy”. “It is too much work to do ….” And the ever so professional and training like statement of “Fine, learn the hard way, do whatever you want”.
I may not be a sailing instructor but running aground while at anchor, sailing wing on wing whilst you are on a broad reach and dropping all your anchor chain and rode even whilst anchoring in 1.7m of water (at high tide) within 3 metres of the shore shows more than a little inexperience…or was it that our particular instructor had a chip on his shoulder and did not like that we had already had sail training from a professional and competent sailing school sailing school and actually had some knowledge, perhaps a lot more than he had intended or was able to teach.
When we suggested anchoring in slightly deeper water, he went closer to the side. When we suggested the sails be set up differently he tied more lines in an attempt to keep then where he had them and when we tried to put out 3 – 5 times scope for the anchor he dropped the full rode. Every time trying to “be correct” or “prove us wrong”. Whatever he was trying to do it made the 6 days almost unbearable, especially since we were the only 2 “students”. He even told us we would capsize the catamaran in a mere 8 knots of wind if we sheeted the main in hard. Luckily for him my children were not on board as I would not have been able to hold my tongue when risking my children’s lives.
On the other hand I am glad to be home with my kids and preparations are back in full swing. We are down a month now standing at 8 months to full time live aboard. My list for the next week includes home schooling stationery sets, checking in on the boat haul out date, together with a doctor’s appointment to discuss the various vaccinations and prescriptions we will be needing.
Over the past year I have been making a list of all the medicines we have used, including a few we have not but might likely need, together with a little research on the internet as to the vaccinations requirements and suggestions for the many countries we will be visiting. Most vaccinations remain active for 10 years and have a period of a few days to a few weeks before becoming effective. Some require more than 1 dose at intervals of a few weeks and some can be administered together. We will discuss all of these with our doctor and let him advise the best course of action to take in terms of timing, possible side effects and effectiveness. Luckily both the boys recently had a measles vaccination due to an outbreak in the area and Kyle even went so far as to say “I love injections.” The statement “I laugh in the face of danger” comes to mind so we are good to go from that side.
We received a letter inviting Barry and I to a special assembly on the 16th of April for the Top 10 assembly for Rauen, he never fails to impress me with his dedication, diligence and effort. This kids deserves all he has coming. Well done boy! (Again)
It is also Kyle’s birthday this week so celebrations seem to be the order of the day, my youngest child is officially in double digits. Happy, Happy birthday boy, hope you love the gift and its perfect for the yacht too!
We got back from our “Coastal Skipper practical” late last night. I was sadly disappointed by the whole experience. I did however, take away the most important information I could have hoped to get…we can sail around the world with our current experience and be just fine, that we were correct in our decision to go on a catamaran and that we will have the time of our lives. Pack the bags, board the boat, see you on the water matey!
We went on this course hoping to gain some valuable catamaran sailing experience, unfortunately our trainer spent the 6 days trying to keep everything a secret, prove anything we thought incorrect (often placing us in dangerous situations) and spending more time sulking in the saloon than anything else.
Things we did not appreciate included words like “No, we won’t tack along the shore line because I am too lazy”. “It is too much work to do ….” And the ever so professional and training like statement of “Fine, learn the hard way, do whatever you want”.
I may not be a sailing instructor but running aground while at anchor, sailing wing on wing whilst you are on a broad reach and dropping all your anchor chain and rode even whilst anchoring in 1.7m of water (at high tide) within 3 metres of the shore shows more than a little inexperience…or was it that our particular instructor had a chip on his shoulder and did not like that we had already had sail training from a professional and competent sailing school sailing school and actually had some knowledge, perhaps a lot more than he had intended or was able to teach.
When we suggested anchoring in slightly deeper water, he went closer to the side. When we suggested the sails be set up differently he tied more lines in an attempt to keep then where he had them and when we tried to put out 3 – 5 times scope for the anchor he dropped the full rode. Every time trying to “be correct” or “prove us wrong”. Whatever he was trying to do it made the 6 days almost unbearable, especially since we were the only 2 “students”. He even told us we would capsize the catamaran in a mere 8 knots of wind if we sheeted the main in hard. Luckily for him my children were not on board as I would not have been able to hold my tongue when risking my children’s lives.
On the other hand I am glad to be home with my kids and preparations are back in full swing. We are down a month now standing at 8 months to full time live aboard. My list for the next week includes home schooling stationery sets, checking in on the boat haul out date, together with a doctor’s appointment to discuss the various vaccinations and prescriptions we will be needing.
Over the past year I have been making a list of all the medicines we have used, including a few we have not but might likely need, together with a little research on the internet as to the vaccinations requirements and suggestions for the many countries we will be visiting. Most vaccinations remain active for 10 years and have a period of a few days to a few weeks before becoming effective. Some require more than 1 dose at intervals of a few weeks and some can be administered together. We will discuss all of these with our doctor and let him advise the best course of action to take in terms of timing, possible side effects and effectiveness. Luckily both the boys recently had a measles vaccination due to an outbreak in the area and Kyle even went so far as to say “I love injections.” The statement “I laugh in the face of danger” comes to mind so we are good to go from that side.
We received a letter inviting Barry and I to a special assembly on the 16th of April for the Top 10 assembly for Rauen, he never fails to impress me with his dedication, diligence and effort. This kids deserves all he has coming. Well done boy! (Again)
It is also Kyle’s birthday this week so celebrations seem to be the order of the day, my youngest child is officially in double digits. Happy, Happy birthday boy, hope you love the gift and its perfect for the yacht too!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Why not live your dreams?
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!
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!
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?
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