Things I have learned

We are now just over 2 months into life on board and....I still don't know how to sail. In my defence we have spent the majority of the time motoring either without or into the wind, and only now that we are in the Cyclades do we have enough wind to turn the motor off. Only now, there's too much of it.

We are hunkered down in a lovely little town called Aliki on the island of Paros, waiting for the Meltemi to blow itself out. It's been gusting 30 knots all day and if we leave the island in this, we have no hope of getting back to it which we need to do as Clare, Martin, Cora and Edie are arriving in a few days time. No wonder it took Odysseus 10 years to get home. Bloody wind.

Although I can’t sail, after three consecutive first time solves of Worldle I am the self appointed Navigator. That we won’t be sailing to the Vatican City or Germany is irrelevant, at least I have a role to play.

I won't add to the Pros and Cons as this has been covered by the kids’ posts but I must say that the toilets are not as bad as they are making out. And my standards are definitely not lower than theirs.

Instead I'll cover Things I Have Learned:

1) Tramping skills are transferable

Small toilets, confined spaces, crappy oven? No problem! Try tramping! You have to walk to the (non flushing) loo in the rain, fumble in the dark, dodge wasps spiders rats and possums, sleep next to snoring strangers and carry your one burner pot and gas plus meals that have to feed a family of 4 for a whole week. Yachting = luxury!

2) Kids remember things better than I do

Gosh this one was a bit of a shock. Turns out the 12 year old brain is more receptive to new information than a 47 year old one. Very sad about that. It's humbling to have to ask your kid to remind you how to do something. Twice. On the same day.

Thankfully I still have the edge over the 10 year old (but my powers are fading.)

3) Not much to do on a boat on passage when you're not acclimatised and you don't know how to sail

Yeah so....looking into podcasts. All recommendations welcome. Can be quite boring sitting there looking at the sea, unable to read.

4) Not every bang and crack means imminent doom

Boats are noisy as. Ear plugs are mandatory for any light sleepers out there. Nat and I are slowly getting used to it, Colette of course would sleep through Armageddon so remains in her natural Tigger state.

5) It's possible to get blown off an island

That was new to us. We arrived in Mykonos during the only weather window over a 4 day period to pick Alan up and anchored in the dark. Later that morning it became clear that we had dropped into weed rather than sand as we were literally being blown out to sea in Force 9 winds. Needless to say we made a hasty exit and headed South. Thank you to the clever peeps who developed the Anchor Watch app.

6) Rendez Vous points can be fun!

Perfect segue from point 5). Alan landed in Mykonos at 4am. We arrived on the island 6 hours prior and anchored near a beach. Little did we know said beach was not public but belonged to a Resort. Alan expertly followed the Dropped Pin....all the way down a narrow winding dark road to a random person standing on the shore in the pitch black. Two black suitcases, a beach, a dark night and a row boat. Superbly dodgy pick up. Uber driver no doubt thanking his lucky stars he didn't get assassinated, he certainly beat a hasty retreat.

7) Kids will eat salads

Yes! It's true! All you need are Greek tomatoes, Greek olives, Greek cucumber, Greek feta, Greek red onion, Greek olive oil. Surprisingly all of the above are quite different to the NZ versions thereof, hence our previous failures.

8) Tu Meke Talks are rad

Future guests be warned - you will be asked (individually or as a group) to give a 5 min presentation to further our collective education. So far we've learned a card game, how to dance the Cha Cha Cha, and how to develop and write a story. Great knowledge! Excited for more.

9) Visitors are fantastic

We are so lucky to have shared our journey with Adele, Cassie & Myla, Rhys & Sarah, Alan and soon Clare, Martin, Cora & Edie, followed by Nissi & Romy, then Hitesh and finally the UK family. Bring it on, it's so great to catch up with everyone (though to point 8, above, prior to boarding). We are very humbled you can take the time to come and see us.

10) Nat and Colette defy the laws of physics

Their water displacement is greater than Ant’s when it comes to the art of the Manu (for all you non South Pacific people out there, that’s a bomb.) They have some serious skillz. There is a less traditional approach to education on board.

11) Poseidon taketh but also giveth

Non votive donations to date: one hat, one pair of sunglasses, one swimsuit, one pair of goggles, multiple pegs.

Received: one rash vest, two lilos.

Feels a little one sided but then that’s to be expected when you take on a Deity.

That's all from me on this occasion. Gtg, I have more learning to do.

Helen Out.