A couple of years ago I met this guy who lived on a boat. I thought it was kind of quirky, like a floating housebus. I didn’t even know which end of the thing was the front and I wondered whether he got seasick in the marina.
In about nine months time Paddy and I will be taking said floating housebus around the Pacific and plan to be away for about eight months.
For those of you who know me, this may come as a bit of a surprise as I am somewhat reknowned for my lack of coordination. It’s fun to watch people’s eyes widen when I tell them – knowing they are picturing one of the many spectacular tunbles I have taken over the years.
The funny thing is, I think spending time on a boat has actually helped my coordination. You have to concentrate a lot harder on where you are going when the floor is swaying beneath you!
I’m writing this blog for myself but also for the people who are struggling to get their heads around this slightly mad enterprise (it’s okay Mum, you’re not alone!)
It’s also a good way for me to keep track of how far I’ve come (and how far I still have to go!)
I probably should have started this earlier, because I am already miles away from the landlubber I was. I’ve done a practical sailing course, a couple of cook strait crossings and have passed my Day Skipper exam. The next step is getting my Boatmasters certificate.
I am a little apprehensive about this because it involves navigation and I am a teensy bit directionally challenged (read couldn’t navigate my way out of a paper bag with the aid of a GPS) – but that’s a subject for an entirely different blog!
So this blog will be part log of progress so far and part diary of how things are going – and that’s probably enough for now.
Oh yeah, Paddy doesn’t get seasick in the marina – and neither do I!