Quote:
Originally Posted by redbopeep
Welcome!
What sort of boat do you have? And where have you cruised so far? We're always excited to hear about members' experiences.
Fair winds,
Brenda
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Thanks Brenda:
I have crewed for a number of years on friends' & chartered yachts around the UK, and across The Channel and S North Sea. Although bitten by the sailing bug I was never able to finance it until my retirement at 65 when I swapped my pension for a 1989 S/Y, a Nauticat 35 named Carpe Diem.
Took Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper (theory) and Day Skipper (practical) for a better grip on the fundamentals. Having introduced SWMBO to cruising, she passed Competent Crew with flying colours, stands watch, helms, handles warps with aplomb, as well as mending sails, making awnings etc.
We brought Carpe Diem across from Holland to the UK in 2007, then round the S. Coast to Falmouth in 2008. With a delivery skipper, we took her across the Bay of Biscay, round Portugal and Spain to Gibraltar, and into Mediterranean Spain - where our delivery skipper went ashore. Since then we have made our way around Spain, across the Balearics, and on to Sardinia. Some 2000-odd NM so far.
Extended cruising is marvellous, and we have met the most generous, amiable and helpful fellow-sailors: I just wish we had been able to take it up when we were younger and fitter!