The message

by John Curnow on 17 Nov 2017 It simply read, “Jake and I are off the coast on the 44 - fantastic conditions.” Of course you immediately think to yourself, “Oh nice one team! Got any salt with that?” Yet they were actually sending a note of appreciation, which read “Excellent work John, great read thank you.” So it was impossible to be anything other than inspired by visions of sun, and a flat sea over the top of the compass that was showing almost due North, which kind of reminded me of all the boats that have exited the North to head South about now in all manner of rallies and collaborations. They were just in the other Hemisphere.

We then had contact from another couple, plus pooch, down Cabo San Lucas way, and they are taking to the waterborne life really well. However, it was these pics from a very dear friend that got me really inspired. Only a small part of his sailing CV reveals that he has completed more than enough laps of the planet for anyone. He well and truly knows the pointy end from the blunt.

So what was it all about? Well clearly there is a place to live, so tick that box, but it was more about doing for his own young boys and lovely wife, what his dad had done for him all those years ago. That is really show them the pathway to life of adventure. Like sailing, that too is something he knows plenty about.

Yes we have giggled endlessly about what he lovingly refers to as the ‘icebreaker’, which says so much about her sturdy steel construction, and much less about cocktail hour aboard. Yet maybe it doesn’t, for that very concept also got a mention promptly, after talking about islands of the Pacific, and the many voyages planned to see some of them.

Before all of that there is the renovation, which has begun in earnest, but as she has never been in the drink, the equipment is all new, and all there, so it is kind of a double bonus. He is a tremendous guy, so it’s also a lovely message to remind everyone that the universe does look after you, even when you are feeling more than a wee bit snowed in.

It looks like I may get to see her in person soon enough, but a large steel structure baking in the hot sun has already got me priming myself for an adventure, and that’s just whilst it is on the hardstand! So I guess the final message is no matter what you’re doing, if it involves the water in any way, shape or form, then you are indeed a lucky person.

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