Review of the year 2024
Text: Christian / Pictures: Carola
How did we get on?
This year was a special adventure. Nine months on our sailing boat, across the Mediterranean. Together we sailed from Greece via Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and the Balearic Islands to the Spanish mainland coast. It was a journey that taught us a lot - about sailing and life on a boat, about ourselves and about the essence of what is really important to us.
A step into the unknown
What would life be like on the boat for such a long time? Would we find good anchorages? Can we cope with the wind and weather? Above all, how long would we last on the boat?
Nine months without a permanent home and constantly on the move. Questions upon questions. It was a challenge that allowed us to grow.
Life on board
The simple life on a sailing boat has its charm. Everything important was on board, but the new routine challenged us: checking the weather, wind and swell, planning routes, researching anchorages. Keeping the boat on course, trimming the sails, keeping an eye on shipping traffic, eating, sleeping - and all of this sometimes during a night trip. It meant responsibility.
Coping with everyday life took more time than on land: shopping, washing, producing drinking water, controlling energy, maintaining and repairing the boat - all of this took longer. As the well-known DIY store advertisement says: “There's always something to do”.
Life on a boat is not a vacation. After all, we moved our previous daily routine to the boat and took on additional tasks. We were often exhausted in the evening, but satisfied. While life at home was a relatively steady stream, we were now experiencing constant ups and downs. The situation determined a lot of things.
Living closely together also taught us to take a step back from time to time in order to keep the partnership in balance. We felt freer, but at the same time more vulnerable - more exposed to the forces of nature.
But life at sea made up for all the effort. The encounters with the dolphins, the fantastic sunsets at anchor in beautiful bays and the magical moments of our night trips remain unforgettable. There are few things better than having your first coffee in the cockpit after getting up and letting your gaze wander over the water.
What we missed and what we gained
Did we miss life in the apartment? No. Life on the boat was liberating. We didn't miss any extra living space or all the things that were usually just sitting around at home.
We realized how little of our previous, permanent home we actually needed in order to be satisfied. On the boat, we had everything we needed and wanted.
It's something else that makes you a little tired over time; the constant being on the move. Discovering new places and the constant movement of the boat took its toll on body and mind. The desire to stay somewhere longer grew - not necessarily in our old home, but somewhere beautiful on our journey.
The persistent summer heat should also not be underestimated. It taught us to plan time-outs.
Arrival
After such a long time on the road, arriving in a new place was always a liberating feeling. The days and places became a blur, we often didn't remember where we were a few days ago. The constant planning - shopping, visits to the laundrette, maintenance work - became a new constant.
At the end of the sailing season, however, it was clear that we wanted to continue. A new routine and serenity had set in that we no longer wanted to do without.
Vor Anker – Spropolo (Italien 🇮🇹)
Vor Anker – Pointe de la Parata (Korsika 🇫🇷)
Vor Anker – Es Trenc (Mallorca 🇪🇸)
Returning home
Back at home, a lot has changed. We are more sensitive to noise, avoid large crowds and realize that some of the things we used to love have become less important.
At the same time, we have found inner contentment and peace. No longer being constantly responsible for the boat is relaxing. We enjoy meeting up with family and friends.
What remains
This year has welded us together and taught us to live more in the moment. The hardships and joys of life on a boat are inseparable. We have learned how flexible people are and how they can adapt to new situations.
Nine months may seem like a long time, and yet we would have liked to stay longer in many places. The trip also showed us how tiring it is to be constantly on the move.
The year was intense and inspiring. We learned a lot about life on a sailing boat and about ourselves. Our horizons have broadened and many things that we thought were indispensable have become less important. It's exciting to realize how little you actually need.
At the same time, life on a boat is often exhausting - you can't gloss over that. The wonderful and difficult moments are usually very close together.
Not forgetting the many wonderful encounters with caring and helpful people.
We now know that it works. A new routine has crept in that gives us pleasure. We are grateful for that.
What comes next
In the fall, we asked ourselves: “Have you had enough, or do you want to keep going?”
We want to continue. Why? We've really acquired a taste for it now. A new serenity and routine have become part of our lives.
That's why we're hanging on for another season, regardless of our original plans. We'll decide where to go on the way.
This Post Has One Comment
Der Blick zurück mit rtwas Wehmut. Bevor eine neue Segelsaison beginnt kommt die grosse Revisionsarbeit.