What I miss and what I like

Racing in the Bahamas.
My job was stowing the anchor chain below during the start and taking photos.

Here are a few things I miss when I am on land and away from the ocean:

* Sunrise, sunset and sun in general especially at this time of the year. I am an early morning person and love to watch the sun slowly rising out of the sea. Or at sunset, it almost feels as if we should hear the hiss of steam when it sinks down. We had some spectacular ones between Sicily and Tunisia as well as in Mexico where the sky was clear. And even in harbour or at anchor, all I have to do is poke my head out to see the sun. Where else can you have a 360 degree view?

* Coffee or drinks and eating in the cockpit - in good weather of course. And speaking of coffee and drinks, I really miss the way the Spanish, the French and the Italians make coffee. I have not had ONE single cup of coffee in a paper cup all summer. And the one euro per bottle wine in Spain. Actually, friends found a very passable, Italian red for E1.79 for a five litre box in Marsala, Sicily. The cheapest bottle of decent wine in Canada is about $10 and the Spanish table wine in a carton costs here $11.

* The gentle rocking of the boat at night.

Things I really appreciate on land:

Winter in Toronto, Canada

CN Tower

City Hall

I am spending the winter in Toronto this year with my son, Ryan and his family who live near downtown. From these photos it seems that Toronto is full of concrete, but I was surprised by just how many parks there are here. I used to live inToronto a few years ago while attending school, but left as soon as I saw one day on television just how beautiful and green British Columbia was. However, at this time, I consider this detour a wonderful opportunity to catch up on my writing, as well as indulge in culture, shopping and of course family time.

Tiramisu, my favourite dessert!

View from my door. Brrrrr.

And so, another season of publishing The Ionian is complete, I am working on a book and I will be updating this blog as I plan further cruising next summer.

Hope to see you in the Ionian next summer.

A Rant

Surfing behind a sailboat

I received yet another forward message today and I really need to say this to everyone who sends them on: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, use the BCC (blind carbon copy) button so that everyone's email address is NOT visible in all the messages.

Of course, if you intend to send one of those that says at the bottom, "send this to 10 of your best friends and you will get $5,000 next week," or that "something wonderful will happen to you at 11:05 tomorrow," please remove my email address, because I just automatically delete them. I love to break chain letters. In my opinion they are just another method for some people to gather email addresses to send spam. Call me cynical if you want to... But there is NO FREE LUNCH.

If you really want to share something with me like a 4MB slide show that you consider wonderful, why not just send the link for it, so that it doesn't plug up my mail box (I have a very slow Internet connection).

Ok, end of rant.

All is well

The website is up and running well again. I just edited some of the information and so far no spam!!! Cross my fingers and knock on wood. I am still in Canada and it looks like I'll be here for at least another month or two waiting until my passport gets renewed. It's hard to stay still in one place for this nomad but I'm doing it. However, I just found out that I can travel to Mexico with just my driver's licence for ID so you never know!

Hope the weather is better where you are than here - we just got our first snowfall of the season.

Life in the boatyard

It's actually better than I expected. There is a whole community here of people working on their boats, coming and going all the time. We have a shuttle bus that takes us to town every day, the taverna close by has incredible food and a bbq every couple of days at the back of the yard provides a great place to socialize and moan about our work that is not getting done as quickly as we'd like.

There must be at least a thousand boats in the three yards and the owner of Aktio is leveling some more land where the cows are now grazing to extend his. Cleopatra Boat Yard has power and water at their new docks and it looks like the new marina is more or less operational.

Not too far away are some Roman ruins and dolphins and turtles swim in the bay nearby. Lots of places to go for a walk too. Oh, and if you'd like to find a boat of your own, there are quite a few for sale. Sorry, not mine.

Life in the boat yard - not bad at all.

Hope to see you in the water soon!

Occupation - Circumnavigator by Lars Hassler

Sail around the world and get paid for it? Impossible? Lars Hassler has done it, written a book about it www.occupationcircumnavigator.com and even Jimmy Cornell is impressed: http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2008-01-03-1/view

This is what he says about the book and Lars:

"This is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary person. Lars Hässler is a Swedish lawyer who gave up his well-paid job as an international trader, turned his back on the stress and hassle of the corporate world, and set off on a ten year 100,000 mile voyage on his Beneteau Oceanis 50 Jennifer. 

The subtitle of his book is rather misleading as the author does indeed describe in much detail how he managed to finance such a long voyage mostly by taking on paying guests, but the real essence of the book is a vivid description of a never dull life, full of adventures and the occasional mishap, that took Lars and his faithful (if occasionally capricious) Jennifer on a roundabout route along which he did everything possible never to sail the shortest distance between two points. The result were some lengthy detours such as a side trip to the Marshall Islands and the site of the US atomic tests, to some rarely visited atolls in Micronesia, a foray up the Saigon river as the first ever sailing yacht to visit Vietnam after the war, a stop in the rarely visited Andaman Islands, and, for good measure, a long detour up the Amazon river. Where this book differs from other sailing memoirs is in the author's outspokenness on such subjects as local politicians' corruption, the lingering effects of French colonialism, the lasting legacy of the American nuclear tests at Bikini and elsewhere and some of the downsides of foreign aid.

Anyone planning to follow the author’s example will find a lot of useful tips on how to earn a living while cruising, and also some candid comments on some of the disadvantages of sailing with paying guests on board, something that looks like an attractive solution until you experience it yourself. 

The last part of the book describes in detail the practical aspects of the voyage and gives an insight into the many breakages suffered, and the costs involved. There are also valuable lessons to be learned from the author's misadventures, such as a fatal diving accident involving one of his guests, the loss of his rudder and how he managed to reach port, being electrocuted and miraculously surviving when his mast struck a high voltage cable in Kenya and being hit by a violent storm in the Mozambique Channel.

This is the kind of book which any sailor will greatly enjoy reading, but some will then put it down and perhaps think to themselves: what a great job this guy has done by going to all that trouble so that I can read about those adventures in the comfort of my home and not to have to put up with freak waves, demanding officials, 3000 Volt strikes, cantankerous charter guests and man-eating hammerhead sharks. Thank you Lars!"

I can't wait to read it!
If you'd like to sail with Lars - check his website: www.yacht-jennifer.nu

Meanwhile, I'm heading back to Greece and Eidos next week. I hear it's sunny and warm. Yes!

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

So, where does a sun worshiper go in winter? The answer is, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. And yes, I know it's far away from the beaches, the ocean and the palm trees but now and then other priorities become more important and culture, history and art are important for me right now. As well as the sun and heat.

San Miguel de Allende is an artists' and writers' centre with more art galleries per capita than any other city in Mexico. As well as many cities in Canada and the US, I'm sure. At the end of February a writers' conference with numerous workshops will take place and every day there are concerts, lectures, presentations and meetings somewhere in town. There are about 4,000 English speaking expats here too besides many wannabes and tourists, so I can have a real conversation anytime I want to as well as practice my Spanish .

I did try spending yet another winter in Canada, even signed up for a couple of university courses and joined Toastmasters, but one day when I was suffering incredibly with a major case of SADD, I was reminded of something an Australian sailor once asked after visiting the west coast: "You're free to travel, you have a passport, you can live wherever you want to, right? Why do you live here?" Hmmm.

And I know, many people love the cool weather, the brisk wind, or they ski and enjoy the four seasons. For me, the sun and heat are more important now and so, one day I just said to myself, "What are you doing here?" The next day I found a cheap plane ticket and a day later, packed and headed south. I hear that two storms went through Victoria in the past week: one with 60 knot winds and another with 90 knots. Incredible.

Differences between living on a sailboat and in a house

More differences and similarities between living on a boat and on land.

Hot water: On Eidos, I don’t have hot running water, but in the house where I’m staying, by the time the hot water comes up the pipes from the heater down in the basement – I’m done with whatever I needed the hot water for in the first place. I measured it one time and four liters of cold water went down the drain before it got warm.

Heat: I have a small electric heater on Eidos and it keeps me nice and toasty (I like it warmer than most people). In a house that’s poorly insulated, I find it difficult to justify heating 1,000 sq. ft. when I’m used to living in 200 sq. ft. Luckily, the utilities are included in the rent, but I feel sorry for the landlord! Heating all that empty space.

Bath: I know, I wrote about this last winter, but having a bath is wonderful. In winter on Eidos, I use the marina or boat yard shower, which is adequate, but involves a walk back to the boat in the cold weather, or heat water on the stove, pour it into the solar shower bag and hang it in the head. Not bad, and I often do that, but compared to a luxurious bath – no comparison. Of course, in summer - swim and a rinse off on deck beat a bath any day.

Socializing: I didn’t appreciate enough being able to speak fluent English to people who understand me and whom I understand. After awhile, being a foreigner and speaking badly in the local language gets a bit tiring. Now, I enjoy going to book stores, being able to ask for information at a store, looking up a business in the Yellow Pages, making a call to book an appointment. Little things mean a lot. Yet, when I hear someone speaking Greek, Spanish or Italian at an airport or in a cafe, I long to say hello.

Fitness: And finally, I don’t need to go to a gym while living on land – I get enough exercise just making coffee in a giant kitchen! However, sailing provides me with tons of exercise.

Cure for the common cold

 I have a method that works every time.

Do this as soon as you notice a cold coming on - it works best. However, if you already have a cold, do it anyway - your cold will be less severe.

Call in sick. Buy a bottle of brandy, two liters of orange juice, some honey, a lemon, six cans of chicken broth (don't laugh) and a box of tissues.

Turn the phone off. Turn the heat up, put a hot water bottle in bed, draw a hot bath.

Have a hot soak in the bath while you're drinking a mug of hot brandy (two ounces of brandy, cup of water, bit of lemon and spoon of honey) and then pile into bed with the hot water bottle and sleep for 24 hours.

No getting out of bed unless for bathroom or to microwave a mug of broth or orange juice (with optional brandy - and don't overheat the orange juice, just warm enough to drink). The best way to do this is to have two thermos bottles next to your bed - one with hot brandy or brandy and orange juice and the other one with hot chicken soup. Or move the microwave next to your bed.

The sleeping and no getting out of bed part is crucial.

And yes, aspirin and vitamin C are allowed. I suspect whisky or rum will work as well, but I haven't tried those as brandy is my drink of choice. I would use this method even with children using smaller quantities of alcohol (have you read the ingredients on a bottle of Dimetapp?) 24 hours later you'll feel great. Guaranteed.

Flying first class

I arrive at the departure gate of the Vancouver International airport, only to be told that the original plane is not available and we are being transferred to a smaller one, leaving about 30 people without a seat on a flight to London. Since I am not in a hurry, I volunteer to take the next flight, five hours later. A long time to wait, especially since I had already spent that morning waiting and wandering around the airport.

After making certain that I don't have any checked baggage, the departure-desk clerk thanks me and promises, that Air Canada will compensate me for my generous gesture. I hope the compensation will at least include a pass to the Air Canada first class lounge, from which I was booted out earlier and where I would like to check my email and perhaps enjoy a complementary drink. Years ago when I was bumped off another (non-Air Canada) flight, I received a credit for its value, but with Air Canada being under bankruptcy protection. I think that's too much to ask. Perhaps a free lunch?

As soon as my seat is given to someone else, I realize that this is one of those forks in the road. My life could now change drastically. As time passes with the waiting room emptying out, I become more and more anxious and think about people who changed a flight at the last moment only to have it crash later.

Well, if my flight was going to crash, then I was going to go in style, because a few moments later the desk clerk hands me a first class boarding pass, which he says will also get me into the First Class Lounge (he says it in capitals of course). He also tells me that he'll drop off a lunch voucher
later. I feel lucky enough as it is, since he didn't forget about me altogether, so I decide not to hold my breath for the lunch. I make my way to the lounge and show my new boarding pass.

But I must regress. Earlier that morning, I tried to get into the lounge using my economy boarding pass with no success. However, I was encouraged by the hostess as she handed me a Diners Club Maple Leaf Club brochure. For only $375 a year, she said, I could become a member and enjoy many exclusive privileges including access to the First Class Lounge. But until then. "we are so very sorry madam". And now, the same hostess is eyeing me suspiciously as I hand her my upgraded boarding pass.

"We don't normally allow complementary passengers into the lounge, madam," she says as she checks the validity of the pass on her computer, "but, since it's not very busy this afternoon, I suppose..."

I think it helps that I am dressed nicely, and eventually she lets me in. I'm guessing that if I had on a pair of jeans, and sneakers, the story would have had a different ending. "Oh, thank you so very, very much, that's wonderful," I gush.

And so I am inside the sanctuary of wealth and privilege. I find an unobtrusive table and chair and try to shrink myself inconspicuously, as not to offend the people who REALLY belong here. I expect the hostess to return at any moment and in a loud voice say, "I've checked with my supervisor, Madam, and you must leave as you do not belong here." But nothing like that happens for half an hour while I sit there quietly, so I start getting brave. I walk over to the business center thinking that if I am going to get thrown out, at least I'll check my email first.

Still nothing. She must have decided that I wasn't going to be an embarrassment. I guess, I might as well make myself more comfortable, I decide. I sit in another place near the bar, pour myself a glass of Jackson Triggs Cabarnet Merlot, (fabulous) and looking carefully around me for a sign of the hostess, load a plate with crackers and cheese.

Finally I relax and begin eyeing my neighbors. A family with a young girl, a man alone with a laptop. A couple wearing (oh horrors!) jeans. They all look quite normal. Braver still, I now became a snob. I notice that there are no plush carpets on the floor, the chairs are black vinyl (rather than oak and leather) made to be comfortable only for the time it takes to have one drink, the tables are metal and imitation marble. When I take a walk to the toilets, I note that the stalls are as small as those everywhere else and each has the same cut out door to see people's feet. Little things like full length doors in public toilets and china coffee cups in cafes make me long for Europe.

But worst of all, the other passengers are looking quite normal like I said before. For first class passengers, they are dressed rather shabbily. I'm not at all impressed. I suppose the real wealthy fly their own jets.

So now I am on a snobbish roll. I notice that there are only two kinds of cheese: cheddar and jalapeno flavored with packaged crackers. There is no service; you have to get your own drinks. However, there is a large assortment of alcohol of all kinds including Pipers beer on tap. There are also cookies, apples, cold drinks, juices, coffee and tea. For entertainment there is a TV, several magazines including one advertising Jaguars, and newspapers.

As I sit there drinking my wine, the hostess comes up to me and I freeze for a moment. But no, she is not there to throw me out after all, but instead delivers a lunch voucher AND another one, a 500 dollar one towards a future flight with Air Canada. Wow! I am so elated that I pour myself a Courvoisier to celebrate and top up my crackers and cheese.

But I decide not to use my lunch voucher right away. How can I leave this place for some economy class bistro? I wonder if I can use the voucher in London. It says on it that it's valid in all the airports that Air Canada serves. Might as well take my chance, since I'm not hungry anymore anyways.
Finally the wait is over and I board my plane (ahead of the "mob"). I am ushered to my seat and offered champagne. By now I know my place in complementary society and nod politely. Of course, how can I refuse especially since it is the Piper-Heidsieck Brut? Meanwhile I wonder what I am going to do with all this legroom? And where is the fold down table?

When the economy passengers start boarding, I have a flashback (from long ago of course) when I was poor and how I felt in their place. I often wondered who these lucky and rich people were and what they did to rate while I didn't. Now I know at least who one of them is. I do feel rich, different somehow. Special. Spoiled, and like I have a secret. Which I suppose I do. My neighbors once again seem normal, except for one couple that looks more polished with their expensive haircuts and manicures. Maybe some of the 30 passengers have been moved to this flight just like me. I like this life, but I feel guilty because I know just how badly the economy passengers are being squeezed in their seats while I have room for two. But I quickly forget my guilt as the steward hands me another glass of champagne.

My seat mate shows up and of course he is handsome and intelligent looking. Dressed in a North Face fleece he doesn't look rich, but then who knows. Maybe he is a young Sir Edmund Hillary. We do not speak. Meanwhile, the service goes on as we are given a travel kit that includes a pair of socks, toothpaste and a toothbrush and some lotions and creams. The seats have footrests, and I play with the controls to see how far mine will recline. I am nervous and excited like a child, but then I love flying, especially takeoffs and landings. We are finally in the air and as usual I get teary eyed, amazed at the magic of flight. My seat mate however is callous and unromantic enough to pull down the window shades. I resolve not to speak to him for the rest of the flight.

Soon after the seatbelt sign light goes off, the stewards offer us before dinner drinks. I resist and ask for mineral water. For an appetizer, I choose Smoked Duck Terrine with Cumberland Sauce served with Mache, Orange and Red Wine poached Pear (with all the capitals in the right places). Then comes the diner wine, which I do not resist and choose Torres, Atrium, Merlot, Spain (colorful, full of fruit and flavor) with my dinner of Salmon Pinwheel with Oyster Mushrooms served over Fingerling Potatoes accompanied by Lobster Succotash. I do not choke on the Capitals and enjoy it immensely. For desert I choose fresh fruit while my seat mate has the fancier sounding Pistachio Cassata with Chocolate Sauce or lower case for ice cream.

I try to watch the movie, but the quality of entertainment has not been upgraded for First Class passengers, at least not to my now refined taste, so I attempt to sleep instead. In what seems like a couple of hours, the cabin lights are back on and it is time for breakfast. I begin with a fruit energy drink, then follow up with a yogurt, a croissant, orange juice and coffee. I also give in and have an intellectual conversation with my seatmate on the topic of architecture of proteins and the future of the human race. With my brain reeling, we descend into clouds (the shades are up now) and land in gray, dreary London.

As first class passengers, we are processed through immigration ahead of the others. My First Class flight ends and my life goes back to normal. Or so it seems. The plane didn't crash and I didn't meet my soul mate but perhaps I'm not as satisfied with my place in society and plan on becoming more ambitious as a result.

However, I do get a free lunch at Heathrow.

I can't because...

So you've always wanted to be a writer, but keep hitting roadblocks. You don't have enough money saved up to quit your regular job so that you'd have enough time to write that novel, and you don't have enough time and energy left after the job, the family responsibilities and the everyday things like laundry, cooking, cleaning and shopping.

Money, time, energy, job, family responsibilities – the list goes on. They are the reasons, excuses and challenges why we can't do something we say we want to do very badly, such as writing. However, you can have what you really want in your life or your reasons why not. Or come to think of it: both.

Here is how. Take a blank page and write down the heading: "I can't because…" Now tape it to your fridge so you can add the next excuse (sorry: reason or even better: challenge) you think of, of why you just can't write today. And underneath, write a creative solution (even a crazy one).

This is my list to help you get started:

CHALLENGE

I'm not an expert in… (take your pick: psychology, gardening, cooking, auto mechanics). All the non-fiction books are written by PhDs with 20 years practical experience. I have this great idea but no credentials. There are hundreds if not thousands of books and articles on the same topic written by people who really know the subject. What's the point of writing another one? Who will publish it? And who will read it? Book and magazine writing business is so competitive.

SOLUTION

Write articles on the subject first. Interview PhDs on the subject. Write it from your point of view as an essay. You are unique and your opinions and viewpoints are different as well.
There are new readers and new magazines every year seeking out and welcoming new writers.

CHALLENGE

What if I'm not good at all? What if I never get published or if I do people will criticize my work?

SOLUTION

Think of Van Gogh. He never sold any of his paintings while he was alive but he kept painting because he was impelled to do so. Keep writing because you want to, not because you want to be published. Or publish on your own just because you want to see your work in print. There is nothing wrong with it. And perhaps once you do, sending your work to a "real" publisher won't be so scary. 

CHALLENGE

Writing is a lonely profession. I need a man (or a woman) in my life first and then I can write.

SOLUTION

By doing what you love to do (writing) you will become a more interesting person and people will be drawn to you. Who knows, you might even meet another single writer. You can join writers' groups or go to conferences and seminars. Also, people will notice that you are busy in a mysterious way and will seek you out.
Write in a public place such as the local library, an outdoor café, or a train station. Many writers have done some of their best work while in public places. Also, see below at the challenge dealing with not having a private place to write.

CHALLENGE

I can't afford to write, I have to work for money. And after work I'm too tired.

SOLUTION:

Write when you can: while commuting, waiting for an appointment, lunching alone. Even fifteen minutes a day will bring you closer to publishing. When you are doing something you love to do, you'll find energy you never thought you had.

CHALLENGE

It's a lot of work and it might never get to see a light of day. At least when I have a real job, I get paid every two weeks.

SOLUTION:

If you work eight hours a day on writing, send something away every week and treat writing as a real job, you'll get paid regularly as well. Even if you don't write well in the beginning, you will learn and improve just like with any other skill and if you have the aptitude and the motivation you will learn faster. You might never write a best selling novel, but a lot of writing is a craft anyone with enough patience and average intelligence can learn.
If you can't write eight hours a day, it will take longer to make any money at it, but if money is your goal, you need to check your motives. No one HAS to write. You need to write because you need to write, not in order to get published and get a paycheck.

CHALLENGE

I start a writing project and don't finish it because I get bored with it.

SOLUTION

Keep several projects going at the same time. Put them in file folders: Ideas and Queries, First Draft, Second Draft, Third Draft, Ready to Submit, Submitted, Accepted, In Print. Often you'll find that you are bored with one manuscript but have a new insight on another one which might have been filed away months or even years ago. And keep the Ideas folder filling up.

Not all ideas will end up completed and published as articles or books, but that's not bad. Keep the juices flowing by not rejecting any idea. And write every day at least one page, just like you brush your teeth every day, even just to get it out of the way. Some days are meant for logistics, such as going through your file of magazine guidelines and updating addresses.

CHALLENGE

I can't concentrate for an hour and then go to my regular job. I have to have an open-ended day to let my imagination and my emotions get involved in writing.

SOLUTION

Plan the book now and think about it in small chunks of time that you do have. Write down the chapter headings, the table of contents, the introduction and the acknowledgements (even if you have to invent them) or for fiction describe the characters and the setting. Without noticing it you will have half the job done. Then, you will be more motivated to spend your weekends and holidays writing the rest.

Or, with a good introduction and the first couple of chapters you might be able to sell the idea to a publisher who will give you an advance so that you can quit that "real" job.

CHALLENGE

I need a place to write, like a room where things don't get moved and where I have privacy. I would also like my own computer that only I get to use.

SOLUTION

Put a desk in your bedroom with a Japanese screen or a curtain to create the illusion of a private room. If you can't afford your own personal computer, negotiate time with your family (or the local library) that is for your use only. And realize that many writers have done their best work while sitting at an outdoor café or waiting for a train with a pad and pencil.

Also, see the solution to the challenge of feeling isolated as a writer, above.
I agree, it really is difficult to write with all the rest we have to do in life and especially with no guarantee of publishing. But if we recognize that problems are really only challenges in need of solutions, success is ours and our dreams can come true.

How to hire support staff with no money down...

Established writers have support teams: coaches, agents, editors, and later accountants and lawyers; all those people who get mentioned on the acknowledgement page of a book. Beginning writers, besides doing the creative work, also have to handle the practical side of the business. Yet
it's in the early struggle of becoming established that we could use some help. It just doesn't seem fair.

I sit in front of my computer trying to write as my eyes linger on a storage container of floppy disks. My writing life is in this box: dozens of unfinished articles, first drafts of short stories, poems, outlines for books, the beginning of a novel, essays, as well as just everyday journal entries and never sent query letters to editors. The floppies represent years of writing effort, hours spent at my desk
either elated with a new idea, typing madly trying to keep up with the flow, or finger tapping the desk instead of the keyboard, frustrated at something that just "won't go".

I should do something with them: edit the short story, finish the article, find a market for the essay. Send them away, out into the world, like grown children who need to be pushed out of the nest.
A writer, like any artist, creates using the right side of the brain. For many of us it is difficult to switch sides and become the editor, the agent and the business manager all in one, which is necessary if the creative work is to see the light of day. I literally get ill just thinking about it. At best, I procrastinate, postponing for weeks, months, even years what needs to be done, with the result I see in front of me right now.

If only I could hire a support team like the established writers. I could then focus on what I do best and what I love to do, run with it until I exhaust myself and then, when I lose the fire, pass the work I dread to someone who doesn't think of it as work, because they're left brained and to them it's an exciting challenge. And then an idea pops into my head. Why not hire a beginning agent who is
willing to work with a beginning writer? It doesn't have to be expensive if I pay them a commission on what they sell for me. This will benefit both of us. She will get the practice, since established writers won't hire her without experience and I will get some of the dreary work out of my hair. My
brain reels with the possibilities.

And then th . e doubting Thomas barges into my head: What a laugh, who would want to put in that much work for a commission that might never come? They would have to be crazy!
I argue back: Unless of course, they really believed that my writing was good enough and worth the time invested.

That's the search then. To find someone who believes in me and my work; who thinks I am so good that the time invested will certainly pay off in the long run.
I quickly type up an ad:

"WANTED: A coach, editor, agent and manager all in one for a beginning writer.

Someone who believes in me.
Someone who values my work.
Someone who thinks I'm talented.
Someone who will work on commission.
Telephone: 555-5555."

And so while I wait for this fabulous person to call, I open and label four folders on the computer.

1.coach
2.editor
3.agent
4.manager

I will write down all the problems I have with writing in the folder for the coach. I will then expect him or her to write down solutions for me. The editor will get all my first and second drafts to check and improve on so they're ready for sending away. The agent will prepare the cover letters and
do the marketing of the finished manuscripts. And the manager will keep track of my calendar and the finances.

Then, on a lark I make paper hats for each: a visor for the editor of course. I put the visor on and look in the mirror. Not bad. And well, why not hire myself until my staff arrives? I walk over to the desk, slide a disk in the slot and open the first file.

But owning a boat is so expensive...

Many people are of the opinion that owning a boat is expensive. Certainly, it can be expensive. The popular answer to the question: "How much does it cost?" is "As much as you have."

When I bought "Aphroditie", my 21-foot Southern Coast day sailer, I was a mature student at the university living on part time work and student loans. I was tired of paying rent on a basement suite in someone else's house and when a friend said that he was going to buy a boat to live on, I had never
thought about it before. However, after thinking about it for a minute or so, I decided that it was a great idea.

I sold my kayak, took out a cash advance on my Master Card and added to it the money for rent from the student loan. I then found the cheapest sailboat that was advertised in the local sailing magazine.
The owner of the boat was a hard negotiator but offered to throw in an old dinghy with the boat as well as dock space for a month, when he learned that I was going to live on board.

And so, for $2,500 I had my own home. I now know for a fact that there are boats much cheaper than my first liveaboard, since I just sold a 26-foot Folkboat for $1,000.

During the summer I anchored out and used the dinghy to row to shore and in winter I paid $60 per month to store it in a boat yard and with some tarps, a portable electric heater, and the occasional hospitality of friends managed to survive a Pacific Northwet winter.

When it was time to trade up, I sold "Aphroditie" for exactly the same price and I even kept the dinghy.

Owning a boat expensive? How much money do you have?

Water, water everywhere...

I had everything I needed on my first live-aboard boat. She was a 21-foot Southern Coast day sailer, I named Aphrodite, with enough room down below for two sleeping bags and a couple of backpacks. A wooden box served quadruple duty as a step, a seat, a table and a container for galley supplies. A bucket served for a head. When I moved aboard, I thought I had gone to heaven.

The fresh water came onboard in gallon containers and was poured into a cup or saucepan straight from there. I washed the dishes in sea water and showered on deck using my solar shower bag. No need for tanks, pumps, taps and the associated hoses, valves, batteries, heaters, sinks or thru hulls.
Also, no worries about failure in any of the components or need for maintenance.

Eidos, my 32-foot East Orient, was built to cross oceans and so gallon containers are not practical unless as a back up. Instead, she has two 30-gallon stainless steel tanks under the salon settees connected together with hoses leading to the sinks in the galley and the head. When I bought her, she had a rusty hot water heater in the bilge behind the engine and a temperamental fresh water pump with an accumulator.

The heater was the first item to get thrown off the boat while she was still hauled out for bottom paint. The pressure pump and accumulator went next (this freed up a nice locker for storage), the unnecessary hoses too and I still have to get rid of the corroded taps. Instead, I now have two foot pumps and no worries if the batteries die in the middle of the ocean.

The only thing I need to watch for now is when I visit friends or family on land, I make these foot pumping motions next to the sink, both hands under the tap with no water coming out, which worries my hosts.

Work while cruising

Ok, we all know how to work from a land or live-aboard base. This list is for money making ideas that travel with us as we make our way around the world. These projects can be undertaken while making an ocean crossing, at anchor in some South Pacific hideaway, or in a foreign country where our visa won't allow us to work at a "real" job. Difficult proposition? Perhaps, but nevertheless possible since I have just thought of one or two. Send me an email or a comment if you have any others.

1. Taping books for the blind.
2. Writing
Many cruisers at least attempt to write and publish, but some like David make enough to feed the cruising kitty. I also met a woman who published a cookbook for cruisers full of recipes submitted by other cruisers.
3. Making something (arts or crafts)
Pat sailed around the world and supported herself by painting water colours and selling them along the way.
4. Playing an instrument
Eileen is a musician who sings and plays a guitar. She also records her own CDs and sells them to people along the way and through her website.
5. Website development and e-commerce.
Working Nomad supports himself with his website.
6. Boat work
Many cruisers do boat work. Varnishing, engine repairs, even crewing on mega yachts. Lin and Larry started out that way.
7. Mobile services
Jonathan runs a weather service using a satelite phone. John does number crunching for a doctor. He downloads the data on Monday and emails the report on Friday.
Jerry is on a retainer from a watermaker company. He supplies parts and provides installation and maintenance services for other cruisers.
Here is a book that deals with the subject for land travelers:
Work Your Way Around the World by Susan Griffith
More ideas coming...

Winter in Greece

I know, it's only early November, but my heater is blasting away and we've just had another gale blow through Levkas Marina. I didn't want to be outside to check the anemometer at the height of the storm, but it was at least 40 knots as I have a wind alarm set for 40. However, Eidos with double mooring lines on the bow and a hopefully strong mooring holding her stern was fine. A boat across from me, though had a problem - their mooring moved and she was hitting the dock with her bow.

Like I said, Eidos was fine, but with her bouncy motion she managed to pull tight on the power cable and in some mysterious way, that electricity works, my power went out at the worst possible time when it was still dark and cold. I had no intention of going outside into the madness, so I put on another pot of tea, got a second blanket on the settee, turned on one of the 12 volt lights, and waited while catching up on my reading.

Eventually, the rain stopped and I ventured outside. Nothing seemed wrong with the cable on the outside, but I knew that the splice in the middle was probably the cause of the problem, so I cut it off and stripped some more wires for a new splice. Hmmm. The blue wire was black instead of shiny copper colour. I wonder why. Nevertheless, not a good sign. A neighbour told me that it was just oxidized and should work, so I spliced it again just for
the heck of it, but no go.

Off to the marina shop. How much for that cable over there, please? 2.50E per metre. Wow, thanks but I think I'll try something else. I needed 15 meters, so that would have been 37.50 euros ($50) for a bit of cable. Amazing. I went back to the boat to see if I could resurrect the cable I had. After cutting off another few inches, I found the blue plastic covered
wire once more shiny.

I spliced it again and with a couple of extension cords I could probably make it work. However, by then it started looking like an accident waiting to happen. Too many plugs joined together outside in the weather and over the water. Besides, I couldn't fit one of the plugs through my cowl vent where I usually lead my power cord. I needed another plug that I could take apart, fit through first, and then re-attach inside.

So, off to town since the marina shop didn't have the right one. Good thing I did too. A five-minute walk away, in a proper electrical supply shop, I could buy the same identical cable for 0.60 euro per metre! Total bill: 9 euros. Unbelievable.

Back on the boat, I set to work once again. Soon, the new cable was ready. I plugged it in and - magic! I had power. So now, the little heater is purring again and I have plenty of power to update my blog. Lesson learned: never, never, never buy anything in the marina shop if you're cruising on a shoestring budget like I am.

Over the rest of the afternoon, the barometer rose millibar by millibar and the wind and rain eased. It blew again last night but I think we are back to good weather today and it looks like nothing really happened. Quick to come, quick to go... Next time I'll take a photo in the middle of the gale (through a plastic bag of course).

Still, I'm thinking, perhaps the Caribbean next winter? Or at least the Red Sea?

Lefkas Marina, Ionian Islands, Greece

I am on Lefkas Island in the Ionian Inland Sea. It has been a wonderful summer here on the west coast of Greece. I've explored Corfu, Lefkas, Meganisi, Ithaca and a bit of Kefalonia. But now, Eidos is settled for the winter in a marina, safe, just in case a sudden storm comes up. The mornings are already cool, and we've already had some rain and thunderstorms, but during the day when the sun is up, it still feels like summer. My neighbors have been swimming at a local beach! I have to go and see for myself - I'm a warm water babe though.
It looks like there will be plenty to do here; Sunday sailing races, hikes, inland exploring, shopping in town, and perhaps the occasional day sail if the weather allows. Scorpios (Onassis' island) is nearby and many beautiful anchorages all over the place.
Since I arrived here last week, I've been busy with my writing, catching up on emails and also with a writers' workshop that is in the planning stages. I think I might start running again and there is maintenance work on the boat. There is a good community of liveaboards staying for the winter, so no shortage of people to talk to and visit with and of course the town is only a five minute walk away. I'm looking forward to the next few months of staying put in one place.
Ciao for now,
Barbara

Meltemi in Sivota Bay, Lefkas island

We're staying put in Sivota Bay as north-west force 6 and 7 winds are predicted for today (again). Yesterday it blew force 5-6 and in the afternoon the harbour filled up with boats from everywhere else as it is quite a sheltered bay. Most other anchorages in the area are open to the north and not safe.

Meltemi clouds have been moving quickly in the sky above the bay and there is that uncertain feel in the air. Our neighbour on a large catamaran put out a second anchor yesterday and then borrowed a two hundred kilo mooring from a fishing boat for extra security. He's down wind of Eidos, so good additional security to us as well. So far, my Fortress is holding well and we have an extra spring line to shore.

Ithaca becons but we're not in a hurry and this is a very pretty bay. Tomorrow the wind is supposed to ease. I'm also thinking of staying in the Ionian Islands for the winter as there is so much more to see. Perhaps Croatia next spring?

By the way, the website is back up but for some reason I'm getting a lot of spam. I might have to shut it down for awhile again and do some editing. Hope your summer is lovely and warm.

Eidos is shiny again!

I'll be leaving for Levkas Island soon, but have to wait until the varnish in the cockpit dries. More sanding to do and bit by bit she'll look like new. Today I can't reach my email for some reason, so please be patient if you are waiting for an answer to your email. Levkas is supposed to have more (and cheaper) internet access. Also a laundry as well as a second hand boat parts shop. I'm looking for a cruising guide to Turkey. Hmmm. Perhaps that's where I'll be spending the winter? Yassas.

Paxos Island, Greece

I am amazed that Palermo is my last post here. I really can't even begin to do any updates, I can only hope to let you know what is happening now.

I am on the island of Paxos in Greece and my laptop has finally packed it in, so I am back to doing everything at an Internet cafe and there aren't that many of them around within a reasonable distance from the harbour.

It is HOT, HOT, HOT!!! and so I stay near the water or in the shade most of the time, catching up on maintenance - still and again. The hull under water is now again clean - since the water is warm and I'm anchored. The boat is spotless and I will next tackle the varnish. I have all of July to do this as it looks like I'll be on my own. If anyone would like to do some sanding - let me know. LOL. Trade sailing for sanding.
Gotto go as my time here is almost up. Yassu.