As you all know by now, Mark and I are getting ready to set sail around the world. How far will we get? Who knows but with no time constraints and no other commitments, who cares?! We may get to Madeira and decide it's our dream destination or actually hate being on the water (I'm hoping not!) but we'll see.
It's all been a bit of a whirlwind so far. I did not have any plans to buy a boat, let alone sail it around the world when I left the comforts of Val D'Isere. I left happy in the fact I was yet to return for another winter season of minor injuries and liver damage. I left all my worldly belongings stored under a chalet somewhere for the Summer, took my little bag with a few bits and bobs and headed on a road trip with Mark to go and stay on his little boat Eole in La Rochelle.
Living on Eole was hilarious, not being able to stand up, close the toilet door and having to sleep on the table, is probably not most peoples idea of fun but I loved the simple boat life, so when we were offered Vitriol at a steal and Mark suggested we bought it to travel around the world in, it was not a hard decision to make.It had a fair bit of work that needed doing but as it has a steel hull, Mark has become the welding master and I am now pretty proficient with an angle grinder! We finally got all the exterior done and thanks to my sister's AMAZING sewing skills (thanks Kim!), the interior is now looking pretty fancy too.
Having been back in London for the last 6 weeks earning some cash for the trip, I am super excited about getting back to the boat now knowing that we are just about ready to set sail. We are hoping to leave La Rochelle on the 15th October (weather depending) and head straight to Madeira. We are lucky to have the wonderful company of Tom Coney with us from the start which I am very excited about having already tasted his culinary delights in the past!
It has been so fantastic to be able to come back and see my friends and family before heading off on this big adventure. Thank you all so much for your support, love and friendship, please keep in touch and come and visit whenever you want. Love you all XXXX
Luckily DAD has been very cool about the trip and has supplied a lot of expensive safety gear such as Crewsaver inflatable lifejackets, an EPIRB GPS finder in case the boat sinks or you go overboard, a huge radar reflector to avoid all those big container ships in the shipping lanes and some MARMITE!
ReplyDeleteAm I Bovvered? Of course I am! Butlots of luck and happy sailing
Mum & Dad xxxxxx
Hahahaha Dad is SO NOT COOL about the trip! I think he is secretly hoping you'll jump ship in Madeira and save him a sleepless 2 weeks as you cross the atlantic!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, especially to Mark, as we think Mr Laidback is about to have his patience tested to its limits!
Kim & Gav xxxx
Oh the joys of sailing...give a big Gin Palace with a huge engine ..any day!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and hope you get out of the bay of Biscay soon.
Hi guys - We're in Oz in glorious Spring sunshine but thinking of you every minute of the way. Just hang in there - the weather's bound to come round to your way of thinking and then you'll be off into the blue yonder.
ReplyDeleteKeep positive
Liz & Colin xxxx