Trading freedom for schedules?
Since the day that we left Canada in the summer of 2010, Rebecca and I have lived largely without a defined schedule. Our travel plans have been dictated almost entirely by the weather and/or our desires. As posts in our blog have shown, frequently both of those have been known to change with very little notice.
I am presently in the process of trying to get through a book that our friends lent us before we head to the boatyard. The book, Around the World in 18 Years, is a self-published autobiographical account of a sailor’s largely single-handed circumnavigation. While only about a third of the way through the text, I get the impression that the author, Hubert Marcoux, had been living much like this as well. It really is a pleasure to be able to live without a schedule, even if only for a short time. It’s obvious to us now though that we have already set foot on another path, one that will include timetables and responsibilities far beyond the two of us. I don’t say that with any regret because Rebecca and I relish change. We look at this as just another path that we get to explore, one that we’re quite happy to immerse ourselves in.
Another week, another Grenadian cooking class.
Yesterday, while Rebecca was at her Grenadian cooking class learning to make creole sauce, I spent several hours coordinating upgrades for our new boat. I know that many of my boating friends would love to have the opportunity to “start over,” outfitting their boat from scratch with a full budget and having learned all of the lessons acquired from living and working with their boat’s systems. In some way, that is exactly what we now have the opportunity to do. We are in the process of procuring a number of items in the States that will initially be shipped to 4-Star Cargo in Miami. They will then consolidate the packages and ship them to the islands for us. It’s all quite exciting.
Also on the task list yesterday was cleaning our dinghy’s bottom.
It has been about 9 months since we have cleaned it.
Almost done. Much better, wouldn’t you agree?
One final bit of good news is that our cat Samantha finally appears to be adjusting to her new home. She has had a tough time of it, being on a new boat with new smells, sounds, etc.. To help with the transition, we have visited her on numerous occasions and each time she has seemed a bit more relaxed. When we left her new boat yesterday, we felt much better about having had to give her up than we did last week. Not happy, but happier.
You & Rebecca are what I call: “Good People.”
I like that you mentioned this is just another path and an opportunity. Those simple words are directly related to success and there is no doubt you two will have a successful journey.
New experiences and knowledge are ahead, as well as new friends and acquaintances. I can visualize that Mike & Rebecca will alter the charter business on a new, exciting course.
Glad to hear Samantha is adjusting to her new surroundings also. She’ll be fine and in a relatively short period of time, she’ll show her new friend(s) who the real Captain is.
🙂
I’m sure you’re right!
Thanks for the good vibes.
Hopefully, what you also mean, is trading out going money for some in coming money. That usually works itself out for the better.
Good luck to you and your owner!
If things go well here, really well, we just might see you by Christmas, if your in the Virgins. 🙂
The money thing goes without saying!
Hurry your butts down here.
You’ve got a good attitude. My lovely wife and I can go months without a schedule, not even sure of the date or the day of the week. Lately, we’ve been helping out a daughter until her husband comes back to the US. We are on her schedule and we are glad it’s temporary.
hehe… I can imagine.
Hopefully Rebecca didn’t do all the scrubbing while you took pictures, video and watched? 😉 good to hear about Samantha, have a pleasant weekend!
I wish!
Did we go back to the old way of cleaning the dinghy with a scrub brush 🙂
David
There were no coconuts immediately accessible. We were using sand as the abrasive though.
In the past I would occasionally guide climbers. I really liked climbing either alone or with a very small group of long-time friends much better. Guys I’d climbed with for 20-30 years. I liked having only the schedule and priorities we set, and I liked that we all knew each other so well we didn’t need to prove anything, except to yourself.
But the magic of guiding small groups is the look you see in their eyes when you show them a world–your world–that they didn’t know about or understand, and the pride you can take in showing them well and perhaps things no one else would show them, and certainly things they wouldn’t quickly find on their own. That is the thrill.
Of course, you know this from teaching before, but I bet this will be even better.
I look forward to finding out!
Well said about the magic Drew. Big difference in charter guests that “know” and those that don’t.
Hi Mike,
I’ve used regular ablative bottom paint on our RIB for years. Sticks fine, no scrubbing.
I assume it would rub off on you if you bump up against it, right?