When you have so little yet you have so much. So time passes on and life passes by. Everyone is busy and you are miles away. Yes you remember in the past when your friend left the country how you slowly lost contact - not because you wanted to but just because that’s the way life goes. Today, with technology being what it is, we are joined as if we were in the same country. While it still takes effort to stay in touch, now, we can easily. I think Covid created a virtual friendship network that has helped people in the next street retain contact and it certainly has helped with us.
We are so fortunate to have this life and while it is away from our family and friends I keep creating these blogs to share my story with you as it keeps me feeling close...
“maybe it’s time you also started blogging 😊. ”
Our catamaran home fortunately allows us to pick up our stuff and change countries fairly easily, but on the other hand it’s not that easy to go shopping in the next town. Boy do I miss my trusty Audi and those wonderful shopping centers in Cape Town. Our biggest challenge when entering a new country, aside from customs and port authority, is sourcing our food. It would probably be easier if we ate carbs - and possibly quite pleasurable - but unfortunately we don’t. And for each and every country we encounter a different experience of what is available locally and what is affordable and decent. It’s unbelievable that I have not been able to find good dark chocolate since leaving Spain!
Our crossing so far of the Mediterranean on GypsyDjango has been interesting and challenging at times. The somewhat unusual weather system for this time of year has changed what should typically be a mild crossing into an unpredictable - and at times highly unpleasant - trip. With freak hurricanes, flash floods, snow, gale force winds and the odd earthquake creating havoc around this part of Europe in the past few weeks it has caused me to say that I would rather be a trucker. While they might not have an autopilot option at least they can pull over for a nap and McDonalds burger when the conditions get tough. I will be honest and admit that after being thrown around in our cabin like a ping pong ball for thirty-six hours in thirty-two knot winds and four meter swells without sleep, I might have shed more than a few tears.
So I have fewer food options, (still only) 2.5 items of clothing, zero bicycle and four meter waves to contend with. But I do have a home with 360 degree views, ever changing scenery, access to beautiful islands, different countries and different nationalities that continue to delight and inspire me wherever we go. By the end of this weekend we will hopefully have reached the Balearic Islands after departing the port of Dubrovnik thirty-two days ago on our extended trip back to Spain. It has taken a little longer than expected, thanks to weather, but the experience I am gaining as a skipper in all conditions is appreciated - even if not quite so during the moment.
We have had the pleasure of experiencing three very different countries since leaving Croatia - even if we are not officially in Italy as we have had to quarantine coming from Greece two weeks ago. Yes I still love it and I am looking forward to 2021 when I will see some of those much missed people in my life again. In the interim I am desperately excited to get back to Spain, collect our long-lost storage and reacquaint myself with my coffee machine at last. Oh, and my Santa Cruz of course! I can’t wait to hit those downhills where, post Medicane Ianos, something tells me I will be fearless.
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