Long Winter

Long Winter

This winter has been a long one with many twists and turns for sure. Some of the turns are that both Karin and I finding out we have arthritis, her in her hands and myself in my back, seems the weather doesn't help, something of which will be cured in about 5 months when we leave for the south.

On another note we have both started our Ham radio course, as well our VHF as well, will be a busy next 10 weeks. AT the same time we are readying for moving back aboard April first. On thing we hope will be finished is our new enclosure for the cockpit, giving us another room and protected entrance for the boat.

As for our arthritis we both started swimming and using the hot tub at the Delta hotel, which after the first visit we felt great.

Wintering

Wintering

Calm in the Gute

Fresh Snow

As one can see the weather in the Gute is much better today then yesterdays winds of 100k. Have started our to do list, and it is large, but we are starting with it right away. First on the list is clothing down sizing, for heading to warmer weather. We've ordered and received our new charts for our trip, doing the studing and ploting thing now, glad we took our coastal naviation course back in Ottawa, at least with both our heads working on these charts there should be some good from it and we do have several months to work on it.

The New Year 2009

The New Year 2009

Quick Sand

The year has arrived for our departure and from now until we release the dock lines many things have to take place, from projects on our to do lists of storage, provisioning, making the interior of Artful home, as well with attending classes for our canvas sewing to getting our Ham license, and yet all this to be done in a 193 days.

With missing many of our friends and family we decided to head on home for the season and get our fix. With my family living in the Barrie area it was going to be hard to get that done, as with the winter storms and bus strike in Ottawa, making there were none if any cars to rent. When I think on it its been a few years since I've seen my mom and although I talk with her often its not the same. So the way I've decided to correct that is my mom's Christmas next year will be with us in the BVI's along with Karin's mom.

We had a list of things we wished to do when we got home and I must say we got them all except one which will happen today, and that is enjoying a dinner at Baton Rouge. We also were able to see our favorite band Quick Sand although bongo Mike wasn't there, catch up with Laura and Graham, Ian and Sharon who were home from their trips on their boats headings south. Was able to have breakfast at Ralph's, and Ada's, and a great dinner at El Maison. The high light of our visit home besides being with family was catching up with our sailing family at the New year's party at our home sailing club Nepean Sailing Club.

So with the holiday nearing its end we look forward to getting on with our quest, and I know some say its not always good to set a detailed plan but then one has to have some sort of idea of what they are up to, so we are saying this is what we hope to be up to doing.

On or near Thanksgiving 2009 from Halifax harbour to set sail for Bermuda, which should take from 7 to 10 days, with a short stay of a few days then on to The British Virgin Islands which will be from 8 to 12 days, then hang out in the Carb for a year and a half, now if that gets accomplished then we will fill in the next leg which with a little hint means going through the Panama Canal.

So with all that said we wish everyone friends and family a very Merry and Happy New Year, with the thought that you only live once, and only get to go around once, so don't leave your dreams and wishes to long or they will pass you by.

Richard
(our sailing buddy)

with all our love

Patric, Karin

Butch (cat)

Fireplace

Fireplace

Well have finally got the fireplace working and hoping it will give the heat and warmth needed as we plan on heading off in nine months. With the Christmas season just a few weeks away, our plans are a trip home to say once again farewell, as we did almost four years earlier, but now it seems Karin has got the bug and this is the last winter she wishes to spend in the cold, and she has got my vote. Karin has decided to become the communications operator, so she will be taking a ham radio coarse, among other communication studies. Myself going to practice more of my cooking skills, which I might say are getting better, we got our pressure cooker now and we will see how that works. The to do list is large with things to do on the boat, food provisioning, storage areas and charts to show what's where, as well making final decisions on our own wardrobes all a fun thing, Karin still thinks that means lots of shoes and sandals. Butch he just wants to be sure he has lots of food and treats. We spend our weekends on the boat, with making the final leap April first, and yes that is April fools day but we aren't no fools here.

Great Deal

Got A Great Deal

I've been checking this fireplace out for a year and then the other day with realizing we will be living aboard again full time soon, that another source of heat would be good. So went into the sales person and asked if there was a better price than the 950 dollars posted on the unit as have noticed it had been on the shelf for better than a year. The sales clerk left and returned some 20 minutes later to say that they would let it go for a final sale of 500 dollars, as to which I said sold.

It took me just two days to find a 3 inch hole saw to borrow and Karin and I installed the unit as you can see in the picture tonight while it was lightly raining not to memtion it was dark out as well. With waiting for the batteries for the cordless screw driver to charge we finished the project in about an hour.

Tomorrow will install the electrics and propane. So guess if one waits long enough you can get a good deal.

Quick note

Quick Note

Just spent the weekend installing snow tires for a fund raiser for Daffodil House, was a real tire buster. And on another note this is the last weekend for Nascar. But the real reason for this post is to tell people to check in on Unfinished Busness a link here on my site and watch Bob finish his world trip around Cape Horn

Captain Bob

Last Winter for Artful and Crew

Last Winter for Artful and Crew

Well one must say with trying to head out back in September 2005, its had its few delays, from Nova Scotia, to Newfoundland, but the days are counting down when we will finally push off from Halifax to Bermuda then strait south. With some days left before we leave, we still have a very big to do list, with also taking some sewing lessons in the New Year to do canvas work. Artful in it's self although still basically the same has had several small changes made to her from new sails, furlor to interior finishing designs, as well our SSB installation.

This fall has been full of down sizing and making list of clothing requirements, storage and charts showing where everything is to be found. Staying in Newfoundland has been a great learning experience close to the sea and gaining respect and learning how to read her. The locals have been great with them sharing their knowledge, on how the sea reacts after different winds and seas.

There has also been a great collection of friends made with foreign sailors, with the sharing of their knowledge, which has been very interesting, with some of things we have picked up. The only real exchange I've been able to provide is my knowledge with respect to engines and electronics. We have invites throught out the whole world to stop and visit, and I think it has been the compeltion of that which has given us a keener interest to get on.

Some real things which I've found very moving here in Newfoundland are firstly its people, they are such a for real people, their music and the national anthem, they are a very proud people, and even thou I'm a cfa I've been told by many that I'm a Newfoundlander now. When we do leave we will surely miss our time here.

This winter there will be a family from the USA spending their winter here tied up behind us, there is a father, mother and two young daughters, around 7 and 11 years of age, Their mother will be home schooling them, as she is a school teacher. For more on their story check out my link of family living aboard.

With Christmas not far away we have made plans to head on home and visit family and friends, as well get some things we know we will only get back home.

We will try and keep a little more on the updates, as well you will notice we have included a world map for people to show their locations so feel free to do so.

Patric, Karin and Butch