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29. We got a gun, but not the kind you’re probably thinking of

We got a gunToday my father-in-law leaves for a 35-day cruise around the Pacific Islands. It will be nice to have a tiny flat, our temporary accommodation, to ourselves. I’ll be able to do my Yoga again and work without disruption. Maybe I’ll even get some time alone – what a treat that would be.

This week also marks our first free week in quite some time

On Friday, Simon and I finished our Mechanical Engineering course on ancillary boats items. We took apart a starter motor, alternator, gearbox, water pump, fridge motor, air condition unit, and water maker. I learned about AC and DC and felt enlightened by all my new-found knowledge. I probably went a bit overboard, but I started referring to myself as ‘Chief’ as I will be the chief engineer on our boat.

Making the decision to spend 5 days in a classroom and pay a substantial amount of money was a hard decision to make. Especially after we’ve already shelled out for an engine and first air course. However, when the class ended my husband and I agreed that it was money well worth spent. I’m positive we’ll get our money back within a year at the most. We’ll be able to service the various engines and motors on the boat! Furthermore, we’ll be less likely to be conned.

What else has been going on?

Well, we’ve successfully changed our boats name from Pear Fisher to Britican (BRITish and amerICAN) as a tribute to Simon’s country (England) and mine (America). We knew what name we wanted on our dream boat several years ago. Hubby and I would talk about Britican not really knowing what size or style she would be. Actually renaming her is a massive stake in the ground towards our dream becoming reality. Renaming her was an easy paper exercise.

We’re also in the process of getting the actual artwork of ‘Pearl Fisher’ removed from the boats aft section, mast, u-shaped floatation device, and the tender. Once it’s removed, ‘Britican’ will be put in it’s place. It’s bad luck if you put a new name over an old name…but it’s fine if you remove the old name and replace it. Not that I’m superstitious!

We’ve also developed a lovely email relationship with a marine repair services contact in Gibraltar

His name is Trevor and I’m so happy he’s helping us out. He’s assisted us to remotely fix some leaks, patch our busted tender, service out engine, and do a few other bits. I keep updating him on my new found engineering education and I think he’s pleased to see some boat owners actually learn about how it works rather than pay others to keep it running.

On the repair side of things, we’ve also had a company reseat our toilets as they were leaking a bit from the base. When we fly down to Gibraltar we’ll only have one week before we head to Malta so hubby and I thought we’d get the major jobs done before we get there.

We got a gun

And we got a gun, but not the kind you’re probably thinking about…

Yesterday hubby and I went to an electrical store and purchased a few things to help us with the electrical side of things. Our engineering teacher made a list of things for us including a multi-meter (tests continuity and oms), battery charger testers, and a temperature laser gun. With the gun, the way you use it is to paint points around the engine and any moving part that can heat up. During a voyage, when you update the log, you take the temperature of your paint spots. By doing so you’ll get a trend and if something is getting too hot, you’ll catch it before a problem becomes a disaster. I thought it was a clever idea. The gun can also be used for freezing temperatures also so the fridge and freezer can be measured. If we see that it’s heating up we’ll know that we need to investigate.

In addition to all this, the website that you’re looking at was created this past week

I’ve been writing for ages and saving my content until I had the time to put it somewhere. I’m now spending time uploading posts and backdating them to the actual date I wrote them. I’m also trying to figure out how to make video films, get them on YouTube (under my SailingBritcan channel) and then embed them on this website. Last night I went to bed in a huff because I couldn’t figure it out. Well, today is another day.

I suppose it’s important to note that we’ve also done some non-preparation things

Last weekend was our Godson’s birthday so we drove 2 hours back to our old home town to catch up with friends and celebrate. It was nice to be back in Aylesbury however I must say that it didn’t feel like going home. Neither my husband or I miss it. We just miss our friends. As for our daughter, Sienna, she seems to have adjusted very easily. Her new pre-school teachers say that she’s doing great. Sienna seems to mix with everyone. That felt reassuring for me as I’ll need her to be sociable when we’re meeting new kids in foreign countries!

And I finally got a date for my British swearing in ceremony

On the 3rd of March, I’ll officially become a Brit too! Simon and I thought that me having the ability to carry both an American and British passport would be beneficial. Sienna already carries both so we’re hoping it will make our travels easier. At the very least I’ll finally be able to get in the short line when I arrive in Heathrow!

So, going forward we need to fill out a pallet with all the things we’re sending down to the boat. We’ll put clothes, life jackets, galley stuff, books, spare parts, new kit and perhaps some knick knacks to make the boat feel homey.

But how do I feel?

I suppose I’m feeling a bit fed up. It’s cold and rainy in England – in fact, the whole country is flooding. I’m tired of paying out all this money and not really getting anything back for it. It feels as if our bank account is emptying and I’m a bit nervous that we won’t have enough money to really enjoy ourselves once we get sailing.

Simon and I just want to get going

I know, I shouldn’t complain. I suppose it’s important to realize that everyone’s problems are relative. And even though I am living my dream, it’s still not all happiness and smiles. In actuality, I’m feeling so run down. And it doesn’t help that I’ve been having wine most nights. It’s just that we’re all in limbo and it’s scary.

Next Chapter: 30. The contrast of sailing around the world and cancer

Previous Chapter: 28. Two months to go before we set sail for our world adventure

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,’

Changing LifestylesREADER 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
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Comments

  1. chris says

    May 25, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Hi Kim, as a recent new owner of an oyster 56 (one also in palma) i was interested to read about the mechanical engineering course you have been on – sounds like a perfect think to do given the amount of equipment on the boat — where did you do this course and what did it cost?

    all the best with the amazing experience ahead.

    Chris

    Reply

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Changing Lifestyles: Trading in the Rat Race for a Sail Around The World (my book). Chapters:

  • 1. That’s it – I’m selling everything and sailing around the world!

  • 2. Oh crap – Are we healthy enough to sail around the world?

  • 3. House sold, price on yacht almost negotiated – just need temporary housing now!

  • 4. Before I sell up and sail away I need to clean out my closet (in many ways)

  • 5. Getting the boat of our dreams – will we or won’t we?

  • 6. Negotiations 56 Oyster Yacht have finished but not without massive pain

  • 7. Everything was going well until we got this phone call…

  • 8. Quick, quick – we need to sell our current boat. We need a place to live. We need to…

  • 9. My new normal and dealing with giving up all our possessions

  • 10. Going from sailing Selene to selling Selene so we could afford to buy our 56′

  • 11. Sea trials and the survey – the night before we meet our dream yacht

  • 12. Hours before we meet our new yacht…our new home!

  • 13. Sea trials on the Oyster 56 were a success – we love her!

  • 14. Getting a yacht lifted out for a Marine Survey

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video – Sea Trails & Survey

  • 15. After sea trials and the survey I ran a marathon (accidentally)

  • 16. What does homeschooling, the paleo diet, writing, and photography have to do with sailing?

  • 17. I’m so freaking frustrated – the world is broken

  • 18. Saying goodbye to my old routines and old lifestyle

  • 19. Life has slowed way down – is it the calm before the storm?

  • 20. A lesson on stopping the ‘what-if’s’ from taking over my life!

  • 21. Serious issue – we can’t take our yacht to Barcelona, Spain as planned – YIKES!

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video 2 – Our thoughts, feelings and move day!

  • 22. The day before we purchase our 56′ Oyster

  • 23. My first trip on our new yacht – Dolphins included!

  • 24. Feeling excited, sick, and in awe are not mutually exclusive when sailing on the seas

  • 25.Things got worse

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video 3 – Palma Mallorca to Gibraltar

  • 26. Sell up and sail away preparations – we successfully took possession of your new yacht

  • 27. Preparation for our around the world sailing trip couldn’t get more exciting!

  • 28. Two months to go before we set sail for our world adventure

  • 29. We got a gun, but not the kind you’re probably thinking of

  • 30. The contrast of sailing around the world and cancer

  • Extra: The reason I decided to sell up and sail away (video)

  • 31. Courses, becoming British, putting our remaining possessions on a pallet and what else?

  • Extra. No – we did not win the lottery!

  • 32. Less than 3 weeks to go before we sail off into the sunset

  • 33. Ten days to go before we set sail on our grand adventure

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

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

  • 36. Leaving Gosport England today to start on our around the world sailing adventure

  • 37. Life aboard our new yacht with the BBC, Daily Mail and Times in tow

  • 38. Feeling amazing, scared, overwhelmed and useless

  • 39. Sailing Gibraltar To Malta

  • 40. I’m honoured to introduce Loryn Bennett – Britican’s Chef

  • 41. I still can’t even believe this is happening

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