So we have a dream, nothing too big. Just something we thought we would like to do. We want to take time out, take our family away for a year and sail the Mediterranean. We want to show the boys other cultures, ways of life and build memory’s and bonds that will last.
When we told people that we were going to take a year off life, buy a catamaran and sail around the Mediterranean, One of their first comments/questions is normally “You must have been planning that for a while.” The fact of the matter is Yes and No.
Why Yes and No? I hear you ask. Well, we first had the dream about 6 years ago however we had no set date or time. Don’t ask me where it came from or who’s idea it was because neither Zoe or I know. All we knew is that we wanted to do it at some stage in our life and it gave us a goal to think about while navigating the day to day of normal life.
I have to say, I am pretty sure that anyone that we mentioned our dream to, in those first four years thought “Good on Ya, you don’t even know how to Sail”. Even when they were saying encouraging things.
Fair enough! Up until 20 months ago, my sailing experience totalled a few terms of sailing dinghies and Lasers on the river and farm dams near Richmond for school sport, and the catamarans on the annual St David’s church camp on Port Hacking River about 25 years ago.
So, after 4 years of dreaming we thought it would probably be a good idea to find out if we actually liked sailing. Let’s face it, If one of us didn’t actually like sailing, it would be a big setback and a lot of wasted dreaming. What’s worse is that we would have to agree on another dream and most people that know Us, know that it’s not that easy finding something that we both agree on. So to make a long story short, 20 months ago we started down the path of learning to sail.
Now in the last few weeks we arrived at a cross roads of choice. Next year Cam starts year 4 and it is the last year before Max starts school. After 11 years of building up her business, Zoe has decided to step back and make time for herself.
It is the last window of opportunity to put the dream into action or wait another 12 years or so for the boys to finish school.
In late January we started the first leg of our dream and flew to Greece to buy ourselves a 40 foot catamaran.
By god, it’s amazing the things you stumble upon on the net! I don’t know these people from Adam, but what an adventure!
I couldn’t stop reading the blog in all its forms. I felt really excited by the adventure myself, as old and all as I am. It’s a wonderful account of a family, out to have experiences that they will remember forever. Mind you, I worried abut the dangers since the Med is not always as calm as a millpond. How their families must be worried, while wishing them all the very best on their journey. As a grandparent myself, I know how they would feel.
Finally, I was chuffed with the title of the blog – No plans just options – which is just as it should be. Funnily enough, the blog popped up onto my screen when I was searching for share options. You never know where the net will lead you.
Happy travelling
Fred
Incredibly brave and great respect! We all dream of doing this sort of thing and talk and talk about it but never do anything about it! Well done!
I sow you on a dock in Ston, on Peljesac peninsula in Croatia, few days ago.
Liked the name, and googled it, as I felt there is a more of story behind it.
I must say, I was off on my hunch a bit, as boat and crew looked skilled enough to sail from Australia up to there 🙂 🙂
Good luck, peaceful sea and good trade winds to you!