June 29th, 2018
Dorset
We also had a lovely trip with Traceys Dad to Dorchester where Dorset did us proud. You cant beat a ploughman's lunch in a pub garden on a sunny Sunday
June 29th, 2018
Rame Head
As you can see Rame Head is still as stunning as ever - the Champaign and location is thanks to a lovely BBQ with our good friends mark and Erica
June 29th, 2018
Home time
This morning I took breakfast in the room that the Treaty of Versailles was written before going to the castle for signing. It's in the most amazing Chateau which is now a luxury hotel where I am giving a speech this afternoon.
This gives me a couple of hours to catch up on a pile of emails and knock out a quick blog. When we're not sailing I tend to go quiet for I can't think you would be interested in our day to day life.
A life that been pretty full on and a lot of fun since we laid up 'Pearl' in the US. Two weeks in NZ catching up with Tracey's brother followed by two weeks in Sydney for my youngest brother, Andy's wedding.
Since then we have been in Cornwall catching up with friends, family and topping up the cruising cash sack. To that end I have done three trips to France, a trip to Oxford, Didcot, London, Luton and another that I can't remember.
On the friends and family side we have been catching up with back to back socializing to the point that we need a break. Ass such it's with some excitement that we anticipate our return to the good ship 'Pearl'.
It's been great to spend time living in the woods where we have been woken up by birdsong which is something that we have missed. I've also missed cycling so it's been a pleasure to pedal my way along our lovely Cornish Coast.
May 30th, 2018
Great Poster
I just love this tongue in cheek poster we saw in Sydney Harbour
May 30th, 2018
Sydney
You guessed it; we are in Sydney and loving it for it's a stunning city. In fact, as you travel about on the ferry network you have to remind yourself that you are within a city boundary. We are here to attend my youngest brother Andy's wedding and this was taken at dusk on the stag run where I discovered I can still do rum chasers!!!!!
May 11th, 2018
NZ
NZ is as lovely as ever and its been a joy to catch up with Traceys brother and sister-in-law. Funny living in a house after so long on a boat and we are enjoying the novelty of it. Birdsong is a real pleasure as is walking Tony's dog 'Flo'.
We popped down to the marina in Opua and walked past a cafe to spy Paul and Emma from Cornwall. Such a pleasant surprise and really good to see them settling into their new life here.
They kindly loaned us a bike and so we did the cycle trail to Kawakawa and on the way we were tooted by the local tourist steam train.
As you can see a good time is being had on the other side of the world.
April 28th, 2018
Walkabouts
So, a momentous day today in many respects for we have lifted 'Pearl' out of the water to give her a well-earned two-month rest as we head off on walkabouts. We are catching up with Tracey's brother in NZ, attending my brother's wedding in Australia and then spending a month in Cornwall catching up with relatives and I have a ton of work across Europe to fill up our cruising cash sack.
It's all very exciting and although it will be sad to leave 'Pearl' behind I think it will be nice to have a break and some time away to reflect on all the lessons we have learnt since leaving Guernsey five months ago. Five months that have been ram jam with adventure and interesting people.
Looking back, it's amazing how much we have fitted into five months, particularly as it has all been two handed. Tracey had only done two night sails when we left and here she is with 7,500NM under her belt. Having raised a family she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and grow through challenge and travel. I'm so proud of how she has coped and it's been a pleasure to watch her turning into a proper sailor without really being aware of it.
We haven't had a cross word and we are leaving already excited about coming back and heading off into the blue yonder again.
ps the black line on the globe is our voyage so far
April 26th, 2018
Bird Song
One of the things we have really missed since heading off on our adventure is birdsong. Proper birdsong, not seagull screeching which is never a pretty sound. I guess one of the reasons for missing it so much is that we were living in woodland so we went from green to blue and the reality is that we love both environments. Its this love that pulled us up short when walking up to the marina facilities for a shower to be overwhelmed by the sweet sound of birdsong in the morning. As you can see a bird orchestra has been created and we love it.
