The Unexpected 2019

So we began our 2019 in Albufeira, Portugal, with a good plan and in terms of our starting there, to our finishing point in Tunisia, we have achieved what we set out to. We have spent time in some fabulous places, again have met wonderful folk and have had so many enriching experiences along the way. There have been hiccups too, some which you will have read about that I would rather not experience again, and many that were unexpected. With each month, we get better at living on board Inelsamo and sailing. We make mistakes, that's typical, and we continue to hopefully learn from those.

This year has proven challenging in ways that we hadn't contemplated and couldn't really have planned for. For example, Craig needing to do an extended rotation in Kazakhstan definitely threw our summer sailing plans into a spin as well as his and my headspace. To say I was not happy would be an understatement! He too had words. So instead of spending June, July and August sailing leisurely from Spain, along the Côte d'Azur, to Corsia and Sardinia, Craig spent those months in remote Kazakhstan and I returned to Oz. That meant that in September, we had to cover the same distance but in just one month! Long story but in essence, Craig's work means we have tight timeframes to work within!

That enforced change in plans did mean I got to unexpectedly catch up with old school friends who I hadn't seen in 30 years; attend the 150th anniversary celebrations of the founding of my home town; see both my sisters be inducted into a Queensland sporting hall of fame; spend, for the first time, a birthday with one of my nephews; and catch up with family and friends who I don't often get to see. So that was an upside!

We also learnt some new things about life in a floating home. This trip was the first time we've really had to deal with the formalities of importing and exporting a boat in the EU. An incredibly valuable and universally necessary skill is smiling and being flexible. It goes a long way to achieving your goal when dealing with officials and language barriers! I read a lot of negative comments by other sailors about what they see as 'public official incompetence and bureaucracy' when the reality is, or at least the way we see it, we are incredibly fortunate to be able to travel as we do and therefore, working within the rules of different countries is a small price to pay! Being patient and respectful is the key.

In another post, I speak about sailing with chronic disease and this year has truly tested me on that score. It shouldn't have been unexpected but I did have to think through strategies for just doing simple stuff when my body is not playing ball. Planning and preparing the required medical care such as medications etc was necessary more so this year.

We've also gotten better at boat maintenance and have had some sticky situations to deal with. Hoisting Craig to the top of the mast while at sea and with me being less than able bodied set a new benchmark! In 38c and 90+ humidity in the bowels of the boat, Craig managed to pull apart our bow thruster motors and find the fault. It wasn't pretty but its done! We also figured out a spare toilet pump in the kit would be good. Ah, all the joys of boat life.

Anyway, another year of adventures on the high seas safety tied down! Next year our plan is Sicily and Malta, Greece and Turkey. Hopefully, the pace will be more manageable and relaxed. Hope you join us.