To say this adventure has been a long time coming would be
an understatement.
The way in which the journey has unfolded and evolved into
a family affair may not have been the original intention – but with the kids
all happily married, seven terrific grand kids to dote over, mum and dad knew it was
time to make their dreams come true.
I've said it before, but as long as I can remember my dad
(Col), a retired Royal Australian Navy and Vietnam veteran, has talked of one
day retiring on a yacht and cruising the world. It may have taken him a
lifetime to convince mum (Pam) that it would be a much more interesting way to
spend their senior years than on a rocking chair on the patio, but for Mike
and I it took a lot less convincing... hell to be truly honest I think we
pretty well invited ourselves... Having
us along will not only answer the extra crew issue, but will hopefully help mum get
over her anxiety, particularly after she has always described herself as
someone who gets seasick at the picture of a wet lawn!
Fast forward several decades of hard work; countless hours
of research, discussions and web surfing; several international trips and near
purchases; sketches and bold ideas; diligent saving and daydreaming; and two bouts
of different cancers later - dad's dream is moments away from being realized.
Along with his loving and devoted wife Pam by his side, plus Mike and I along
for the ride - life is almost packed in boxes and storage and soon we will be
on our way.
From time to time we hope you'll
check in and join us on
this completely open-ended, no-set itinerary journey. I'm not much of
storyteller and my photography skills are amateur at best - but no
better time than
the present to brush up. Time will certainly be on our side! I've kicked
started the "family" blog here - but leave the pages open for
interpretation and first-hand experiences from my fellow crew members.
And so
begins a new chapter of life at sea!
First stops: Split and Sibenik, Croatia - March 6, 2013.
Here are some fav snaps from Mike & my first visit to Croatia back in summer 2006.
