And here we go again

So not much happened the last month. We have just been in Gaeta, just us three. Hours changed to a much more relaxed 9am- 4pm and we cycled a lot, I went to gym, snorkelled.. And we kept the boat clean and maintained of course :) 

This morn at 6am we left Gaeta, are now at the fuel station in Napoli and from here we're heading to Sicily. It's a bit too far to do it in one go so will stop on anchor tonight somewhere and hopefully be able to do some swimming. 

I'm sitting here looking out at Mount Vesuvius wandering how long it will be till the next explosion! Pretty scary. 

Capri

So many ways to describe the last 16 hours. Cold is probably the first. Didn't sleep except for an hour or so on the sails. Bit wow was a pretty awesome experience. About 50 dolphins swimming alongside us under the lift of the moon was probably the best part. And nearly falling over board during a sharp tack is probably the worst. 

Hello Capri.

Opening Ceremony

Rolex Volcano Race 2013

So today is my first official Regatta. It's called the Rolex Volcano Race. A series of 100mile races followed by a 300 mile one. Because I'm not used to thinking in miles 10 miles usually takes an hour. The 300 mile should be about 3 days! 

I have to make freeze dry meals for everyone. Just add hot water and there ya have it. Breakfast in a bowl. Or lunch. Or dinner! 

Our flags are ready!

Getting all the sails sorted

The Race Office ( which I keep calling the Film Office)!

All the boats lined up :)

St Tropez in a few pictures

St Tropez was pretty and oozed the wealth that it contains. It's everything and more. 

Braaiface Memory

That time when it was raining and we had a braai none the less and it was great! Great food, great people.. That's all that is needed for a fun night out. 

St Tropez adieu

Much activity going on in the bay today!  Boats just keep appearing. We're off to Monaco!

Phony island

Creative writing was always my favourite subject. I pestered and pestered the teachers for our books back to see my marks. I always knew I would do well because of the effort i put in but the gratification of seeing a star or score became addictive. 

Suppose its the same way we are now attached to checking out notifications on Facebook. Is someone going to approve or comment or give their two cents on something I've written. This is what makes this different. And I'm going to have to get used it. 

Cooked a whole fish today. Eyebollocks and everything. Poor bugger didn't stand a chance. Was delicious!

We have left St Tropez and are heading to some islands towards Nice. Plus minus 2 hours of sailing. 2 hours of quasi-relaxing and enjoying the view but always on guard. On the ready for a water or snack or coffee. 

That is what most of my job is; being there ready for anything but out the way. It's hard to relax completely at times like these because as Murphy would have it, as soon as you get comfy something is needed. 

I love how the clouds play tricks on the sea reflections. So many greys and blues and aquamarines. 

The Only Constant

And no matter what, I will never get sick of these. 

Irony

So the irony of working on a boat is that you don't really get to see and experience things the way people think you do. You're a backpacker on someone else's holiday. A fly on the wall. A shadow in the European summer sun. Of course I only post pictures of beauty and me frolicking on the tides of happiness, but I'm not so sure if that's for me or for you.

Don't get me wrong I do love my life, emotional backpack and all. It is uncommon to be paid to do what you love. And I am loving all of it.

I have spent most of today buried in to the deep recesses of my mind deliberating if I should start writing or not. It's a weird release, sharing thoughts and experiences and ideas but also censoring what I think people want to hear or what I'm willing to share.

I'm conscious of my grammar, my honesty, my ego, but they are just words after all. And when this is all over I will be able to read these words, mistakes and adventures and hopefully feel like I have achieved some greatness.

The Boss has just left for dinner ashore St Tropez and now I am going to test out the new fishing rod I bought this morning on a sneak trip into town while they were having lunch. Those trips are like gold and deeply cherished!