Freedom and opportunity there for the taking

Brenda Webb and David Morgan take time out from sailing for some
 inland exploration in Guatemala. They’re pictured at the Mayan
 ruins of Tikal near the Belize/Mexican border.

By Brenda Webb, intrepid sailor and part-time motelier

It’s blowing a gale and sleep is impossible as our yacht/home Bandit strains at her anchor and tosses us about in our bed.

Husband David and I take turns to go up on deck and check we’re not dragging onto nearby rocks or that another boat is not going to drag its anchor and crash into us.  It’s times like these I yearn for a bed that doesn’t rock, a “safe” house on dry land and a less nomadic lifestyle.

But those thoughts quickly disappear as the storm passes, the seas flatten and the Caribbean sun rises on yet another wonderful day.  I remind myself of the amazing freedom and opportunities our rather abnormal life presents.

Living on a boat and sailing the world means we get to visit some fascinating countries that wouldn’t normally be accessible.  Take the wonderful Island of Provendencia – owned by Colombia but lying off the Honduras coast - it proved a wonderful stopover for us in April as we sat out an unfavourable weather system.

At first we cursed the weather but the happy and friendly locals, intriguing island scenery and wonderful walks soon had us entranced.  Where else in the world do you get local fishermen rocking up with a bucketful of fresh lobster tails expecting nothing in return?

Other highlights from the past year have been visiting the beautiful and remote Venezuelan offshore islands of Los Roques and Las Aves, captivating Colombia and the wonderful Honduran Bay islands. 

My husband and I quit fulltime jobs eight years ago to indulge in our passion for sailing (his) and travelling (mine).  We packed our belongings into a container, rented out the house, farmed out the animals and headed to the Mediterranean where we bought a yacht.

After five seasons in the Med (spending winters working in the UK to fund this folly) we crossed the Atlantic early this year – a challenge that tested us to the limits at times and had me wondering just exactly what I was doing.  The title of a book recommended by a friend “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” became my catch phrase.

You’ve probably guessed by now that sailing the world is not all bikinis and martinis….in fact it’s more spanners and screwdrivers.  Yes we spend an awful lot of time in enthralling places but we’re often waiting for weather or carrying out routine maintenance.

Just where the glamour element comes in I haven’t quite figured out yet…..although our friends insist our lifestyle is exotic, enviable and exceedingly glamorous.  Hmmm….next time David is on hands and knees fixing a blocked head (toilet) I must take a photo and send it to them!

Or maybe he should take one of me coming back from the supermarket drenched in sweat and arms stretched to my knees carrying the week’s supplies. 

Wintering and working in Golden Bay, New Zealand.

Of course to fund this sailing lark we have to work….but we manage to cram that into a six month intense earning period…..usually seven days a week.  Right now we’re relief managing motels in Golden Bay (it’s surprising the doors that open when you leave fulltime employment) for winter before heading back to our yacht Bandit in Guatemala.

Next sailing season we plan to see more of Guatemala, then Belize, Mexico and Cuba – we can’t wait.  Next year we may even fulfil a lifetime dream of visiting New York by yacht – wow!
 
For the first time in many years we both feel we’ve got the work/life balance right and would urge others who are feeling jaded to consider options outside the square.  We live on a far smaller budget than we ever did in our previous lives in New Zealand, but are far happier and far more fulfilled.  Yes I sometimes miss the daily buzz of working in an office…..but then again, you can’t beat the view from our yacht!

We may end up the poorest (financially) in the rest home – but by golly, won’t we have some stories to tell?

If you liked reading this blog check out Brenda's own blog and read more on her travels.