22.41.99N 59:54.66E
Bryan writes...
Night watches on a long passage give you a lot of time to think about things. My problem is that I don’t always remember everything when I get around to blogging, but I’ll try my best.
I’ve come to realise a few things about myself from this adventure.
I think this trip has made me a lot more self sufficient. There have been times when I wanted to call in the experts to find that blocked fuel line or broken electrical connection, but the reality is that you often just have to get on and sort it out yourself.
I have found that it is easy to plan passages as you’d like them to go; “average speed of four knots, say a hundred miles a day... we should be in port by Sunday!.” I have to remind myself that the ocean is a fickle master, and that a bumpy sea (or incompetent shipping agent) can slow progress (or delay departure), and Murphy’s law has it that the wind will never be in just the right direction. Our “fourteen day” passage will end up taking seventeen days (including being held up in Male for an extra day); but that is the nature of travelling in a vehicle that is largely at the mercy of the elements.
I must admit that I am extremely proud of both Helen and myself for the way we handled a few tricky situations, but I find that once the possibility of call out to an easily available professional fixer is removed, you become much better at problem solving yourself.
I’ve found a pattern emerging from each crisis: 1) Face crisis 2) Brainstorm solutions / action to take 3) Resolve crisis as best as the situation allows 4) Have a cup of tea, calm down 5) Forget about the whole experience 6) Remember it in a good natured way only when prompted by humour (“Remember that time we clipped that reef!?” Giggle giggle...!) Maybe it’s a self preservation mode, I don’t know.
I am looking forward to getting ‘back to civilisation’, whatever that means. I’ve always been highly motivated by my career, so I’m looking forward to getting that back on track too. I’m curious how the Realisations from this trip will manifest themselves back in the real world.
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