Well, Tuesday will see out the first 6 months since we left Australia to start this adventure of a life time. So as I sit here sipping my G&T as the sun lowers over the Las Palmas sky line through a myriad of masts I thought I should put down some of my contemplations about the journey.



A little over 12 months ago, after having walked into work with my boss Chris, discussing how short life is and thought of having worked so hard, to drop dead shortly after retirement as some of his friends had, I told him that I was retiring to make sure that didn't happen to me. Some have probably wondered whether this sailing thing was a challenge for me that I have always wanted to do - it is not, it justed seemed like a better way of seeing the world than in a Winnebago RV - the sailing is really just a annoying necessity - although after I stop throwing up I quite like the peacefulness of the sea and beauty of the dolphins and am still scared and in awe of the unknown power of this liquid floor upon which I stand.

So what have we acheived since leaving? Well we have:
1. Sailed across the Bay of Biscay in rough seas and near gale and gale conditions at a time of year when everyone who knew what they were talking about (and some that didn't) were saying don't do it
2. Sailed 1600 nautical miles, over 300 of those by ourselves
3. Visited 4 countries (one twice), two continents and one Atlantic archipelago.
4. Sailed off into the Atlantic by ourselves and not really been too concerned about it
5. Learnt how to use technology that I have never been exposed to before - and Karen is becoming a bit of a computer wiz
6. Got my first nautical tattoo .

Superstition suggests that the mermaid tattoo will keep you at the surface if you fall overboard - not that that is going to happen
Art work and tattoo by Rene at Maohu Tattoo, Calle Numancia 49, Guanarteme, Las Palmas Tel: 609 411 7881 www.maohitattoo.com
7. Spent nearly 4320 hours in each others company without either one of us pushing the other board - and only about 10 hours of alone time required
8. Both remembered our anniversary ahead of time for the first time in 15 years
9. Both of us being flirted with by the same woman in a police station
10. Not hit one planned milestone in the six months and realising we will probably never have a firm plan of what we are doing or where we are going to be again until the big boy comes a calling.

Are there things we haven't done that we should have - there are only two I can think of -

a) going up the mast - to date I have hired people to do this but the day is looming closer and
b) spending any time at anchor.

I also think we could meet more locals but it is still a little difficult with our limited language skills - some people can not even understand my English ,let alone my Spanish

And are we enjoying it - I think it is a resounding yes

And are we missing home?
I think the only thing we are missing is family and friends - the house, whilst being the thing that has allowed us to do this is only a distant memory and the boat is more than adequate for accomodation - indeed some of our new friends have sailed around the world (or part of it) in a lot less boat.

So who is going to be the first to join us?