35. In 2 days we will set sail around the world sailing adventure

With only one full day left in the UK, the time has almost come to transition from the planning/organizing side of our adventure to the actual doing it. Finally, our set sail around the world sailing adventure is about to start!

The lead up to our final departure hasn’t been quiet to say the least!

While discussing our trip with a PR friend of mine, she said, ‘Kim – let’s get your story out the press. It’s so inspirational and people would love to hear what you’re doing!’ At first I thought, ‘Why would the media be interested in our adventure – all they do is report death, destruction and anything that’s bad happening in the world!’

Needless to say, my friend, who owns her own PR agency wrote a press release and sent it out 3 days ago. Since then, our lives have been even more crazier than usual.

Within seconds of the release being sent out, it was published in a Greek base web magazine. Then in an Australian based website. Then a reporter from the Bucks Herald (local paper where I use to live in Aylesbury) called followed by the BBC radio and not long after, a BBC TV producer.

The BBC is calling me about our set sail around the world sailing adventure! OMG

Yesterday I was interviewed for radio in the morning, did a phone interview with a newspaper and the day ended with a reporter and camera in the living room by night’s end.

Usually, I would shy away from reporters and media opportunities. In the past I found the whole radio/TV thing to be the way too stressful, but in the past I was promoting a company I worked for or owned. This time it was different. I was talking about my life and since I’m truly excited about my life, I felt as if I couldn’t really mess up. I didn’t have to make sure I said the ‘right thing,’ because the way I feel and my current thoughts are the right things for me right now.

Not sure if that makes sense, but I’m just being me whereas in the past I was someone pretending to be many different people trying to always do and say the right thing. Now, I’m just me being me.

So – bring it on the media world! I can handle you now 🙂

And from the logistics side of things, the amazingly nice BBC radio reporter came to our apartment with a microphone. That’s it. He started off with recording Sienna and me talking together about the trip and then my father-in-law took Sienna for a walk and the reporter sat at my kitchen table asking me the usual questions like, ‘what’s it like for you as a mom to be taking such a big trip?’ and ‘what led up to making such an exciting decision?’ The whole event was easy and fun. I really enjoyed speaking to the reporter.

As far as the TV interview went, another amazing nice BBC reporter came to the apartment. He set up the camera and then had Simon, Sienna and me lined up on the sofa. He started off asking me some questions and unfortunately by that time Sienna had lost the plot. She also lost the ability to function as a normal child. She reverted into a 9-month-old and pretended she couldn’t speak English anymore. I think it was nerves. The reporter then asked Simon some questions and Sim did great. I didn’t have my camera on me but there was an Ipad nearby so I took the below photo to record the moment.

About Sienna – you can’t control kids – can you? The reporter said he was able to get enough from us so I’ll trust his ability to chop and change and make it into a nicely presented story. Heck, it’s the BBC – they know what they’re doing.

Aside from getting phone calls and having my phone ding with texts every few seconds we’re also in the throws of last-minute preparations.

Furthermore, my Cousin Loryn, from Fredonia New York arrived!

She’s joining us from the very beginning of the trip and I’m so happy to have her with us. Loryn is easy going, fun to be around, and always willing to participate in anything. She goes with the flow so I’m sure I’ll be able to learn from her. Furthermore, we’ve always seemed to be on the same wave when it comes to talking about life, why we are we here, what can we do to make the best out of our lives and so forth. I’m thinking that we’ll both be able to inspire each other. Also, it’s so nice to know that we’ll have another pair of hands for a while.

My husband picked her up at Heathrow while I was doing my BBC radio interview. When Loryn finally got to the apartment I gave her a huge hug, updated her on what’s going on and we all looked at each other thinking, ‘OMG – this is real. It’s really happening.’

After a nap and the BBC TV interview, two of our good friends Alexie and Neil drove down from Aylesbury for one final celebration. We quickly ate some nibbles, rushed out the door as the babysitter arrived, and headed over to Gun Wharf, an area in Portsmouth filled with restaurants, pubs, and clubs. Upon our arrival we met another friend, Steve, and the evening was one last celebration before we leave England for how long?

To read the next article, go here: Leaving Gosport England today to start on our around the world sailing adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter: 36. Leaving Gosport England today to start on our around the world sailing adventure

Previous Chapter: 34. Will this sailing adventure turn me into a dreadlocked, pot smoking, whale saver?

Or…if you’d like to carry on reading all about our journey from selling up and sailing away, you can purchase my book, ‘Changing Lifestyles – Trading the Rat Race in For A Sail Around The World,’ 

READER REVIEW Amazon Reader. 5 Star Review! "This is the story of a woman who was on multiple journeys; looking for a change in her life's course, learning the ropes of a new boat, and navigating what it is to parent a child as she and her husband embark on this journey. Great as an adventure story, but also got me excited to read it as a travel guide!" Cherie