Ok, first morning, just saw the sunrise which was pretty cool. Karma must have heard me teasing about the dinner last night because shortly after that I had to run out and hurl over the side. What a waste of breakfast and dinner. I was also a bit spaced out after my sickness tablet so sorry P, (my 'little sister') I was sending you texts but then sending them to the wrong person! And sorry to anyone else who got a kooky reply from me!
So, my journey so far. I've been queasy and unwell for most of it and then knocked out when I take a tablet. I think it's safe to say I've been pretty useless! Digby was lovely and made us a beautiful dinner last night but I did help dry up as soon as I pulled myself away from my security pillow. (It's easier than a blanket!)
Looking down is making me feel ill so I'm going to go. Thank you again to everyone for all your support, it just blows me away and I don't know how to tell you all that I really do appreciate every bit of it. And Kerr, thank you so much for Wednesday with all your help and hooking us up with some ice cream - straight to head of the class! And the pressies, much appreciated. Elle and Alan, thanks for my special delivery of beverages too, although it may be a while before I can face them.
Oh, and if I continue the way I'm going, I may have to eat humble pie and buy myself a smaller pair of jeans. Although, lets face it, I won't have a problem with that :)
Keep smiling people and keep watching, as I hang in there and hang over as Mike has advised!
Friday, December 11, 2009
We're Off!!!!!
Thursday December 10th 2009
This last week has just gone by so quickly. Yesterday was spent doing last minute preparations. Kerr was extremely generous and took me into Arrecife to get our fruit and vege for the journey. He also gained a lot of brownie points when we arrived at the boat with ice creams for everyone!
Last night was our farewell dinner with all our families together. It was a lovely meal and just nice to spend another evening with everyone. I then went and had a farewell drink with our Italian neighbours who will hopefully be starting their journey across the Atlantic in the next few days.
This morning Jandy took me up and we collected our vacuum packed meat and racked my brain to think of anything that had been forgotten. Who knows! I'll let you know about day 8. Back to the boat where a load of people had turned up to say goodbye. I can't even begin to list everyone without fear of forgetting someone but thank you to all who came. I had done my last phone calls to NZ earlier on Skype and then it was really emotional saying goodbye to Jandy and friends on the pontoon.
We slipped the lines and started to go. The support boat followed us, it was so nice to see everyone and wave goodbye. When they turned around to head back I got all choked up again. But not too much time to dwell as there were things to do. However, my plans to tidy things up was quickly stopped when I discovered that my sea sickness tablets had not in fact worked. Don't worry, at least today I managed to keep my breakfast but in the afternoon when I took another tablet, I was knocked out for two hours.
Geoff and Digby have been really busy with lots of interviews to various radio and television shows. My role of obscure jobs and 'Hold this piece of rope please' has now become a 'Hold this microphone please'! It's all good. Not really sure how to explain the whilrwind of emotions I'm feeling. Excitement for the trip has finally started and sadness because it has been such a lovely week with everyone. None of them helped by the queasiness but it will pass. We saw a pod of pilot whales this afternoon, so I'm going to take it as a good omen that this trip will be great.
Oddly enough, we still have cell phone coverage so family and friends have been getting texts from me. I'm going nuts with it too, as I'm thinking this is the last time for a while. All will be fine! But the thing I'm quite intrigued about is that I have heard rumors to expect to lose a stone in weight on this crossing. When you see the amount of food we have on board, I will beg to differ!!!!! However, as soon as I am acclimatised, the measuring tape is coming out and we will see if my bum does actually get a bit smaller.
Dinner preparation now, get this, it's going to be chicken with lime and chilli served with rice. Mmmmm, who's jealous yet?!
This last week has just gone by so quickly. Yesterday was spent doing last minute preparations. Kerr was extremely generous and took me into Arrecife to get our fruit and vege for the journey. He also gained a lot of brownie points when we arrived at the boat with ice creams for everyone!
Last night was our farewell dinner with all our families together. It was a lovely meal and just nice to spend another evening with everyone. I then went and had a farewell drink with our Italian neighbours who will hopefully be starting their journey across the Atlantic in the next few days.
This morning Jandy took me up and we collected our vacuum packed meat and racked my brain to think of anything that had been forgotten. Who knows! I'll let you know about day 8. Back to the boat where a load of people had turned up to say goodbye. I can't even begin to list everyone without fear of forgetting someone but thank you to all who came. I had done my last phone calls to NZ earlier on Skype and then it was really emotional saying goodbye to Jandy and friends on the pontoon.
We slipped the lines and started to go. The support boat followed us, it was so nice to see everyone and wave goodbye. When they turned around to head back I got all choked up again. But not too much time to dwell as there were things to do. However, my plans to tidy things up was quickly stopped when I discovered that my sea sickness tablets had not in fact worked. Don't worry, at least today I managed to keep my breakfast but in the afternoon when I took another tablet, I was knocked out for two hours.
Geoff and Digby have been really busy with lots of interviews to various radio and television shows. My role of obscure jobs and 'Hold this piece of rope please' has now become a 'Hold this microphone please'! It's all good. Not really sure how to explain the whilrwind of emotions I'm feeling. Excitement for the trip has finally started and sadness because it has been such a lovely week with everyone. None of them helped by the queasiness but it will pass. We saw a pod of pilot whales this afternoon, so I'm going to take it as a good omen that this trip will be great.
Oddly enough, we still have cell phone coverage so family and friends have been getting texts from me. I'm going nuts with it too, as I'm thinking this is the last time for a while. All will be fine! But the thing I'm quite intrigued about is that I have heard rumors to expect to lose a stone in weight on this crossing. When you see the amount of food we have on board, I will beg to differ!!!!! However, as soon as I am acclimatised, the measuring tape is coming out and we will see if my bum does actually get a bit smaller.
Dinner preparation now, get this, it's going to be chicken with lime and chilli served with rice. Mmmmm, who's jealous yet?!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Jokes
This blog entry is going to be dedicated to my cousin Richard. Don't worry Elizabeth, I didn't get the joke either. But I'll get to all of that in a bit.
Yesterday was a day of arrivals and visitors. Jandy (uncle and aunt, renamed by Rich) came over and dropped off my HUGE Christmas Box. I am so excited. I have heard though that my sister recieved her Christmas box and had no restraint and opened it after a mammoth 2 minutes. I've had to hide mine to stop the same thing happening. I think it is a thing in our family not to be able to keep presents until the day! They went off to see the sights on the island.
I had to go up to the marina office for a few bits and pieces and offered to go and get Digby an internet code. I tried to convince him that if I got it, then he would have to line me up a lot of dates with hot guys who would all take me out for dinner. The best he could come up with was offering to cook me dinner once we are out at sea. Thanks Diggers!
When I got back, Tim and Elaine had arrived and were unpacking all their goodies they had brought for us. Everyone was on the back of the boat, relaxing in the sun and a couple walked up. They asked if Digby was on board. We all ceremoniously roared for Digby who was down in his 'office' doing officy things. He came up and had the surprise of his life as it was his mother and step-father who had decided to surprise him and come to Lanzarote! How sweet is that? So it's a really nice atmosphere as we all have our loved ones with us to wave us off tomorrow. See that? We're actually going tomorrow.
For dinner we all took off and had private dinners with our families. Jandy and I went out for a lovely meal where I then made phone calls to my cousins and father. Now here is where Richard makes his entrance. He has made a comment on my blog with a joke. Now I had Tom read it to me over the phone. I did not get it. I asked Jandy, neither of them got it either. We were really confused. Enter Dad. On the phone to him, he's also on the blog and we ask him about the joke. This was our phone a friend card wasn't it? And thankfully, he pulled through.
For those of you who are still scratching your heads (don't worry if I hadn't been explained the joke I still would be as well) the catch bit is 'In Dorset?' - endorse it? I can hear all the groans now! Rich, you have done us proud. Once the penny had dropped we did chuckle a lot.
Today I am about to go fruit and vege shopping with Kerr who has kindly offered to take me out, hopefully he'll be able to guide me in quantities. A theme on this boat of over catering but hey, that's better than the opposite!
Watch this space.
Yesterday was a day of arrivals and visitors. Jandy (uncle and aunt, renamed by Rich) came over and dropped off my HUGE Christmas Box. I am so excited. I have heard though that my sister recieved her Christmas box and had no restraint and opened it after a mammoth 2 minutes. I've had to hide mine to stop the same thing happening. I think it is a thing in our family not to be able to keep presents until the day! They went off to see the sights on the island.
I had to go up to the marina office for a few bits and pieces and offered to go and get Digby an internet code. I tried to convince him that if I got it, then he would have to line me up a lot of dates with hot guys who would all take me out for dinner. The best he could come up with was offering to cook me dinner once we are out at sea. Thanks Diggers!
When I got back, Tim and Elaine had arrived and were unpacking all their goodies they had brought for us. Everyone was on the back of the boat, relaxing in the sun and a couple walked up. They asked if Digby was on board. We all ceremoniously roared for Digby who was down in his 'office' doing officy things. He came up and had the surprise of his life as it was his mother and step-father who had decided to surprise him and come to Lanzarote! How sweet is that? So it's a really nice atmosphere as we all have our loved ones with us to wave us off tomorrow. See that? We're actually going tomorrow.
For dinner we all took off and had private dinners with our families. Jandy and I went out for a lovely meal where I then made phone calls to my cousins and father. Now here is where Richard makes his entrance. He has made a comment on my blog with a joke. Now I had Tom read it to me over the phone. I did not get it. I asked Jandy, neither of them got it either. We were really confused. Enter Dad. On the phone to him, he's also on the blog and we ask him about the joke. This was our phone a friend card wasn't it? And thankfully, he pulled through.
For those of you who are still scratching your heads (don't worry if I hadn't been explained the joke I still would be as well) the catch bit is 'In Dorset?' - endorse it? I can hear all the groans now! Rich, you have done us proud. Once the penny had dropped we did chuckle a lot.
Today I am about to go fruit and vege shopping with Kerr who has kindly offered to take me out, hopefully he'll be able to guide me in quantities. A theme on this boat of over catering but hey, that's better than the opposite!
Watch this space.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Mafia
Today has been a really good day. Digby's arrival last night had made me realise that it was all actually going to happen and I got another attack of the nerves so I was feeling a bit out of sorts this morning! I did quite a few crosswords last night as I couldn't sleep and needed to take my mind of things. It's all good though. I got to see my aunty and uncle which was great and then this morning Geoff and I went and sorted out our meat supply for the journey. After such a long buildup it all seems to be happening really quickly.
My aunty and uncle came down to the boat and we went out with helpers and my aunty and uncle came along for the ride as well. This was great because it's so nice to be able to actually show my family what I'm going to do and let them see the boat and go out for a day on her. Internet and skype are great for keeping in touch but having them here has been fantastic. I've also had a heap of supportive comments on facebook so I'm feeling really positive. Nervous but positive.
I've just looked outside towards our neighbours here at the marina. I've become quite good friends with them and have to laugh as one of them has come out dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. He's here in the flesh people. Albeit on the wrong side of the ocean. Isn't it Tortuga he's heading for? They are going to be crossing the Atlantic and leaving on Thursday as well. I hope that our paths will cross again one day.
Tonight we are all going out for dinner. I just went down to the restaurant and booked a table for us. They have decided to give us the 'Mafia Table'. This should be good.
My aunty and uncle came down to the boat and we went out with helpers and my aunty and uncle came along for the ride as well. This was great because it's so nice to be able to actually show my family what I'm going to do and let them see the boat and go out for a day on her. Internet and skype are great for keeping in touch but having them here has been fantastic. I've also had a heap of supportive comments on facebook so I'm feeling really positive. Nervous but positive.
I've just looked outside towards our neighbours here at the marina. I've become quite good friends with them and have to laugh as one of them has come out dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. He's here in the flesh people. Albeit on the wrong side of the ocean. Isn't it Tortuga he's heading for? They are going to be crossing the Atlantic and leaving on Thursday as well. I hope that our paths will cross again one day.
Tonight we are all going out for dinner. I just went down to the restaurant and booked a table for us. They have decided to give us the 'Mafia Table'. This should be good.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
We have communication!!!!
Today the communication dome has been all fitted up and is now functional. Very exciting. This means that as unreal as it will be, I can check emails every so often while crossing the Atlantic. How nuts is that? And I'll be able to keep up with this blog, so watch this space for more on the amount of chocolate that has been consumed....Which actually brings me to my latest achievement. I have now gone over a week without any chocolate at all!!!!!! This may not seem like such a big deal to some of you, but when it comes to me that is a pretty huge deal. Especially when you consider how much chocolate is on board and readily available at my fingertips. I wondered aloud why I wasn't instantly skinny and was given a reply that it was because even though I had cut out chocolate I was still eating lots of other food! Valid point.
Tonight Digby, our cameraman will arrive so the whole team will be together which is good. I'm also eagerly awaiting the arrival of my aunty and uncle who have come out to help me wave the flag for the Scott family! We've also had Geoffy from the delivery crew arrive. He and Julian are outside attempting to fix something. I'm laying low so that I don't get dragged into some obscure 'hold this piece of rope job'! Look at them though, they're like two men scheming away, I've nicknamed them Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee!
Departure day of Thursday is not too far away and I'm sure will come around very quickly. I just got the sweetest pep talk email from my Grannie telling me that nerves are all a normal part of the process of such an exciting adventure. It's all coming together though, as they say, she'll be right!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Not long now
First off today, I just want to say a huge thank you to all my friends and family for all the support and emails and messages I've had about my nerves and the reassurance that I'll be fine! It's that nice warm feeling you get when you have a nice message telling you not to doubt yourself and that I won't be a disappointment to anyone.
So what has happened in the last few days? Well a lot really, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. On Wednesday new friends Alan and Elle had Geoff and myself around for dinner which was a great evening and I got to try some local wine. Think I'll have to pack some of that for later!
Julian the delivery skipper arrived on Thursday and was so sweet when he pulled me aside and said that he thought I had done an excellent job on cleaning up Impossible Dream. This morning we came by the boat when he was still having breakfast and he jumped up and started to put it all away, scared that I may get angry that my hard work had been undone. Awww, but it's how I like it! Only I'm allowed to get it messy. All joking aside, he's been very sweet and helpful since his arrival.
On Thursday night, Julian took us out for dinner to a restaurant called La Casa Roja. The steak was delicious. Jo and Andy, we have to go there when you come over. Yesterday was an interesting day. I walked into Playa Blanca to get a few supplies for us all, and enjoyed the sun and walk. As soon as I got back I jumped into a taxi and went out to the airport to collect the communications dome. Hurrah, you can all breathe easy, we've got the stuff in our hot little hands now, so will have internet access across the pond. It was looking a bit touch and go there for a minute with a possible two hour wait but the taxi driver I was with kicked some butt and we got it in 30 mins.
Then when you would think all the excitement of my day was over, I got to have a lesson with School Teacher Julian on the little power dinghy on the back of the boat. I cruised us up and down the marnia feeling like a real poser and for those of you who know me when I'm on the water, there was a lot of nervous giggling. Julian looked remarkably calm, maybe the fact I was going at Nanna speed helped.
Being the ever social butterfly that I am, I went and visited our neighbours and had a look around their boat, Brigante. I'm still always fascinated to see inside other boats and how different they all are. Then they came on board and the boys talked hydrolics and switches, and I talked chocolate and food with Ilva. Some things about me don't change!
Today has been doing bits and pieces. We've put up the genoa sail, fed the wire through for the communications dome and now thinking about just sitting back and taking it all in for the afternoon. Oh and I didn't get the chance to fob off the job of the duck valves to Julian, so ended up up to my elbows in gross water. Lesson learnt though, turn the pump off because it squirts everywhere when you've taken it apart. I had a really long shower that night...
So what has happened in the last few days? Well a lot really, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. On Wednesday new friends Alan and Elle had Geoff and myself around for dinner which was a great evening and I got to try some local wine. Think I'll have to pack some of that for later!
Julian the delivery skipper arrived on Thursday and was so sweet when he pulled me aside and said that he thought I had done an excellent job on cleaning up Impossible Dream. This morning we came by the boat when he was still having breakfast and he jumped up and started to put it all away, scared that I may get angry that my hard work had been undone. Awww, but it's how I like it! Only I'm allowed to get it messy. All joking aside, he's been very sweet and helpful since his arrival.
On Thursday night, Julian took us out for dinner to a restaurant called La Casa Roja. The steak was delicious. Jo and Andy, we have to go there when you come over. Yesterday was an interesting day. I walked into Playa Blanca to get a few supplies for us all, and enjoyed the sun and walk. As soon as I got back I jumped into a taxi and went out to the airport to collect the communications dome. Hurrah, you can all breathe easy, we've got the stuff in our hot little hands now, so will have internet access across the pond. It was looking a bit touch and go there for a minute with a possible two hour wait but the taxi driver I was with kicked some butt and we got it in 30 mins.
Then when you would think all the excitement of my day was over, I got to have a lesson with School Teacher Julian on the little power dinghy on the back of the boat. I cruised us up and down the marnia feeling like a real poser and for those of you who know me when I'm on the water, there was a lot of nervous giggling. Julian looked remarkably calm, maybe the fact I was going at Nanna speed helped.
Being the ever social butterfly that I am, I went and visited our neighbours and had a look around their boat, Brigante. I'm still always fascinated to see inside other boats and how different they all are. Then they came on board and the boys talked hydrolics and switches, and I talked chocolate and food with Ilva. Some things about me don't change!
Today has been doing bits and pieces. We've put up the genoa sail, fed the wire through for the communications dome and now thinking about just sitting back and taking it all in for the afternoon. Oh and I didn't get the chance to fob off the job of the duck valves to Julian, so ended up up to my elbows in gross water. Lesson learnt though, turn the pump off because it squirts everywhere when you've taken it apart. I had a really long shower that night...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The emotional rollercoaster
Only 8 more sleeps and then we're off. As we draw closer to departure day I get a lot of people asking me if I'm excited. And well yes I am, but at the same time I'm terrified. I have been asked a lot of the thing I'm most frightened of and I've really been trying to figure this one out. To be honest, I don't really know. I guess it's the whole thing. There are lots of sailor folk who just brush it off and tell me I'll be fine which I'm sure I will be but right now I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a big black hole and I'm about to jump in. Is it weird to think this is also kind of exciting?!
But as I'm perched on the edge of this leap into the unknown I'm also worried that I'll let people down. Of course the first in line relying on me is Geoff and I want to be able to do my job properly and well. But I've also had an amazing amount of support from my family and friends and I don't want to somehow not do well and let them down since they all mean so much to me. Is this putting more undue pressure on myself? Maybe, or maybe it will help me rise up to the task ahead. So I suppose in this reasoning I have come to my greatest fear. Disappointing those people close to me. Oooh, this is all a bit too deep for a Wednesday afternoon isn't it?! Geoff has assured me he has great faith in the fact that I will be fine, as have all my family and friends but the old self doubt is the devil in us all. I suppose that this journey will partly be for me, seeing those demons and putting them to rest.
I am expecting to get a bit sea sick (the most popular question by far!), and so Digby will no doubt be there with the camera as I expel some demons although I've never had a personal objection to breakfast or food in general..... I've decided to take the advice of our onshore medical support Dr. Tommo and try out some other sea sickness tablets for the first few days and then see how I go. Or I could just take a pill of man up and see how that goes. It could work.
These last few weeks have seen me go from excited anticipation to utter terror in the space of five minutes and then back up again. Bless my aunty and uncle as they have taken phone calls from me trying to figure out why I was feeling the constant butterfly feeling in my stomach and if it is normal to have these emotional waves as one is about to embark on such an exciting adventure. I had a guardian angel give me a phone call to tell me that I was perfectly normal to be feeling the way I was and they helped me realise that I wasn't growing two heads which was the way I was feeling. You know who you are, thank you!
And so yes, I am getting excited. And yes, I am still scared but that's ok. I can deal with that and I suppose it's all about how you tackle it. Things do feel a bit more real down here, stowing things away, cleaning up ID and just being on her and thinking ok, here is the next chapter in my life and it's going to be a good one. Not one I'm about to forget anytime soon that's for sure. Here we go on that rollercoaster again :)
But as I'm perched on the edge of this leap into the unknown I'm also worried that I'll let people down. Of course the first in line relying on me is Geoff and I want to be able to do my job properly and well. But I've also had an amazing amount of support from my family and friends and I don't want to somehow not do well and let them down since they all mean so much to me. Is this putting more undue pressure on myself? Maybe, or maybe it will help me rise up to the task ahead. So I suppose in this reasoning I have come to my greatest fear. Disappointing those people close to me. Oooh, this is all a bit too deep for a Wednesday afternoon isn't it?! Geoff has assured me he has great faith in the fact that I will be fine, as have all my family and friends but the old self doubt is the devil in us all. I suppose that this journey will partly be for me, seeing those demons and putting them to rest.
I am expecting to get a bit sea sick (the most popular question by far!), and so Digby will no doubt be there with the camera as I expel some demons although I've never had a personal objection to breakfast or food in general..... I've decided to take the advice of our onshore medical support Dr. Tommo and try out some other sea sickness tablets for the first few days and then see how I go. Or I could just take a pill of man up and see how that goes. It could work.
These last few weeks have seen me go from excited anticipation to utter terror in the space of five minutes and then back up again. Bless my aunty and uncle as they have taken phone calls from me trying to figure out why I was feeling the constant butterfly feeling in my stomach and if it is normal to have these emotional waves as one is about to embark on such an exciting adventure. I had a guardian angel give me a phone call to tell me that I was perfectly normal to be feeling the way I was and they helped me realise that I wasn't growing two heads which was the way I was feeling. You know who you are, thank you!
And so yes, I am getting excited. And yes, I am still scared but that's ok. I can deal with that and I suppose it's all about how you tackle it. Things do feel a bit more real down here, stowing things away, cleaning up ID and just being on her and thinking ok, here is the next chapter in my life and it's going to be a good one. Not one I'm about to forget anytime soon that's for sure. Here we go on that rollercoaster again :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
