The winds of change! Things don’t feel right so what’s next for our sailing adventure? #39
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 พ.ย. 2024
- The winds of change! What next for our sailing adventures? Living and cruising full time on a sailboat is a dream for many, and one which we chased for 5 years, but somehow things don’t feel right so there are big decisions to be made onboard Intrepid Bear!
Having recently achieved a 5 year goal to sail to and cruise the Mediterranean we’ve been struggling with the realities of living our dream. Over the last few months we’ve been trying to figure out what’s wrong, why we’re not fulfilled as we thought we’d be. We think we’ve finally figured out why and we’ve made the decision to change things going forward in the hope that we’ll find contentment.
In this episode we share the issues we’ve been struggling with and what our plans are going forward.
#sailboat #mediterranean #sailing #liveaboard #liveaboardsailboat #sailingcouple #sailingadventures #raymarineuk #sailaroundtheworld #livingonaboat #livingourbestlife #greekislands #schengen
Follow our boat on Noforeignland
www.noforeignl...
A view from the UK. Yup, we've binged watched your journey to here and am not surprised of your mature rationalisation that the journey did not fulfil the dream. What you have done so far IS THE DREAM fullfilled and yup, now what. You are not alone. Linda and me retired early and purchased a house in Abruzzo Italy to retire to and run a self catering 2bed apartment attached - 'La dolce vita' as they say. We never realised the amount of work it took to keep the house, apartment and 2.5hectares of land - on a mountain - looking respectable. We were working 60hrs a week. We never, really lead the ex-pat life we dreamed we thought it would bring. To crown it all we experienced the earthquake of La Quila in 2009 and Amatrice in 2015 which resulted in house wanting £100ks worth of piling WITHOUT the repairs. We could not afford that so we sold for a horrendous loss and sold it as a "progetto"- project, and returned to the Uk after 4yrs living there full time - £160k down the swanny. So our philosophy is; you don't want to be in your rocking chair back in the UK at 80+yrs old, in the conservatory thinking, " i wish we had done this or that". For us, we take satisfaction in having done it and experienced it, good or bad. You're still have your boat and can sail for gawds sake. We lost the house. As Frank Sinatra said "Oooh, that's life". GET ON WITH IT.
PS: We skipped over the wobbly bits.........too old for that sort of nonsense. How come we never saw you in your "mankini"?
Me, i've got me name down for a 50+mtr Perini Navi or Alloy yachts or even a Royal Huisman. I'll need crew, so i'll ring ya, promise. 72yrs and still dreaming. May it long continue. I'm poor Ian, i can't afford being miserable as well as happy. That's a luxury only rich people can afford, so i chose happy. Anyway, enough of this 'maudlin', got some vids to be watchin.
Laters, Rob & Linda
Hi guys….wow! You have been on a binge watching session! I’m really pleased to have been able to hold your attention for that long even without my Mankini! Thank you for the supportive words and understanding. I’m so sorry to hear what happened to your dream and of course you are right we still have our boat and as that’s all we have I’m very pleased. But as we entered the anchorage at Port St Louis du Rhone a couple of days ago there is a sobering reminder of the care we need to take as there are the masts of a wrecked yacht buried by a sandbank standing tall just at the entrance to the bay! The rest of the approx 60’ yacht is at least 20m under the sand! Anyway it’s all a learning experience, I’m still learning how to be retired! After we made the decision to turn around we were both much happier as we had accepted the change that was needed which lifted a weight off us. I hope you enjoy the rest of our season and our winter in Montenegro where I think we did experience the ex pat life you mentioned for a few months. So many non schengen sailors wintering there we had a great time but didn’t get as fit as we did in Portugal last winter…too much drinking! 😂 Anyway thanks for the message I approve of your dream boat choices! Don’t tell anyone but I (Iain) am a closet motor boater, I just can’t afford the fuel. “When” we win euro millions my choice is a Fleming 85 but I’ll still make videos and give the mankini some thought! Great to hear from you and thanks again for the encouraging words 😊😊
This sooo resonates with us! Schengen shuffling, missing family, oddly finding the heat too much, post retirement ‘who am I’ questions, orca dodging….. being out cruising feels very different this time round than it did when we circumnavigated 12 years ago.
Thanks Phillipa…appreciate your take on it. It’s interesting that even after your previous circumnavigation you’re feeling some of the same things. We lived aboard for 10 years before we set off but it was still a big leap to full time cruising we take our hats off to those that do it from scratch! Anyway thanks for the comment and you’ve also hit on one of the biggest worries about heading north….gotta do the Orca zone again…not looking forward to that…😬
Good on you for being so honest with us, your followers, but even more so with yourselves. You achieved the first part of your dream by returning to Greece and cruising the Med so a change of direction is nothing to be ashamed of, it is to applauded. Excuse the cliche, but the grass is not always greener (or the water bluer) on the other side. I look forward to following the next chapters of your adventures.
Thank you Peter. I think the latter part of this season did indeed show us that the grass isn’t always greener. The U.K. winters will be a challenge for sure but hopefully it will balance out with the family time etc. Very excited to finally sail Scotland but equally still a season ahead of us to get back home! Thanks for you comment and positivity 😊⛵️
We just started living aboard in September. We did our 3 months in Schengen then headed south to the Cape Verde’s then onwards to the Caribbean. We are in Grenada at the moment and it’s great. When we head back via the Azores the Schengen thing kicks in again and life becomes a pain. The Canaries are very tolerant of cruisers but it’s as soon as you need to get flights home and you haven’t got the right stamps in the passport the troubles start. We know a couple of Brits that are hauling out here and flying home. Like you we haven’t got a house to go back home to so it’s not an option. We are 100% with your decision making, until something significant changes politically we will give the Mediterranean a miss and probably go round again if the both us and the boat can take it. Good luck with your future endeavours, we always enjoy your adventures on TH-cam and look forward to hopefully many more to come in future.
Thanks guys, we appreciate that. You can spend time in the Med but it’s such a dance, at least until you get to Turkey but schengen is such a shame for cruisers. 3 months is no time at all in the whole Bloc so I don’t blame you skipping it. Glad you enjoy our videos and yes there’ll be plenty more adventures ahead…we’re re energised for what’s to come. Really appreciate the comment and support. Thank you 😊⛵️
You have achieved something incredible, don't forget that! You say you must be willing to let go of the life you planned but you're still doing it, sailing your own home and exploring our beautiful planet - that is the life you planned❤ You got back to where you got married, explored the med and hit that target, now it's time to explore somewhere new! Remember that life is a game and if we all knew how it went then we'd never play it 🤣 We've been chatting recently to a couple about the Netherlands/Baltic etc and they rave about it. We totally get your reasoning behind the change, embrace the new chapter that lies ahead and hopefully we can rendezvous again at some point to chat and have a few rums or two! Happy Saturday!
Thanks guys, very wise words! Yes we’re excited for all the possibilities back in North Europe and especially Scotland to start with. There’s a fair chance we’ll winter on the south coast in 2023 so it’d be great to share a rum or 2…you never know we might even be neighbours. We’ll be looking for somewhere to stay that’s really good value so the IOW might be an option depending on how easy it is to travel from there to see family…anyway we have a season to get through first but definitely hope to share a drink with you guys 😊⛵️🥃
I really admire your honesty, you have to do what feels right and you’ve so much experience and can reflect. You’ve achieved your 5 year dream and you’ve now set new goals with priorities that matter to you! Good on you I say and cannot wait to follow your journey around Scotland and more. Things change that’s life 🥰🥳😁 xxxx
Thanks Vicky….really appreciate the support and yes I think Scotland will be stunning. The trip back across the Med will be pretty cool too hopefully. Thanks again 😊
Another great video. Your openness regards change of plans is enlightening and appreciated. Personally I believe that having a plan in place is important, however being flexible and able to change the plan is of course fine. I am sure many of us can understand the challenges, and have full respect your achievements thus far. I am 3 weeks into retirement after a long career and making my plans now to sail the Mediterranean, without doubt the Schengen visa situation creates unwanted restrictions and hassle. I am sure that your revised routing will continue to be be full of adventure and I look forward to following. Keep it up.
Hi again Nick, yes having a broad brush plan is definitely needed to stop you drifting without purpose but in life but especially in sailing we have to be ready to change them and admit if it’s not all we’d hoped for. The beauty of sailing, though, is that you can make that change and just move your house somewhere else. Schengen is indeed a pain. A new thing for us Brits but has been around for many years for our Aussie, kiwi, US and other friends for many years. Anyway not to dwell on the negatives for there are many positives but we are looking forward to changing our adventures and se see where that takes us. Thanks for your comment and understanding 😊⛵️
You totally haven’t failed and as a fellow yachtie trying to overcome all the post brexit bollox -I can really relate to what you are saying! To admit it and be so honest is so refreshing to hear, As we also are in the same boat with all our different plans! I love the west of Scotland, this is where our journey started. Good luck guys 😊
Thanks guys…really good to hear we’re not alone. Yes we’re very excited for Scotland. We had intended to go there before the Med but ran out of time so it’ll be fantastic to get up there in, probably, 2024. Cheers 😊⛵️
🤗 Your honest assessment is great. Always good to reflect and assess. Hope to see you again somewheres out there!!🥰
Thanks guys….no-one was more surprised than us to be feeling that way but it is what it is as they say these days! And yes I really hope our paths cross again one day 😎⛵️😊
Thank you for the recommendation on the Sailing and Cruising UK group, really fabulous content
Hi guys, very sorry for the delayed reply. Thank you so much for your comment and feedback. I’m glad you’re enjoying what we do. Thank you 😊⛵️
Great episode. The Meltemi was particularly bad last year and it was very hot in August. My wife found the heat oppressive so this year we will finish our sailing at the end of July. We are now in the Ionian and will head north beginning of May. As they say the adaptable survive.
Best wishes to you both.
Hi Peter, thank you. I like that quote, the adaptable survive 😊. We may pay a quick final (for now!) visit to Lakka on our way out in late April before heading to Scicily. Thanks for your comment. Seems like we won’t be a million miles apart in the spring so our paths may cross. Be great to say hi if they do 😊⛵️
Ian and Kate a person can never predict the outcome of anything of what you have made a life style choice to do. But in an ever changing world from where I am sitting is the right thing to do. This is not quitting or giving up ,its called being sensible. And I totally resect this and enjoy the rest of your adventure and we all will be following you on the way back to the UK regards Geoff M
Thanks Geoff….really appreciate that 😊
Enjoy your videos very much.totally agree with you . Schengen makes life very difficult for UK cruisers and I would certainly find the heat too much.I will look forward to wherever you end up next season. All the best.
Thank you Tony….really appreciate your comment. Yes, had it not been for schengen things might have been different. It certainly doesn’t help! Cheers for your support. I think/hope you’ll still enjoy the seasons to come. Scotland should be stunning 😊😊
Thanks for this video. I share your first world problems, sitting as I am in the BVI’s half way through my bucket list Atlantic circuit contemplating returning to the UK or heading to the Med. I’ve been prevaricating for months now as my list also included a year or two in the med. But Schengen is a nightmare (so sad my country men where duped to Brexit) but also concerned about no wind/too much wind, too much heat and how often family will visit if in the E med, so your angst was exactly on point for me. I think you have done really well. I have enjoyed your films and adventures and have nothing but respect for your decision and admiration for sharing it with us. Well done and thanks. Maybe see you in Scotland, which I think will be my destination, so as to cruise Norway and Sweden next year before my return to Solent waters, which whist not as warm or clear as the Caribbean are closer to home and family.
Hi thanks for the comment…it helps us a lot too to know we’re not alone in changing our minds. Totally a first world problem and that’s why we feel a bit guilty about not loving it as much as we’d hoped but we’re lucky to be doing it and lucky that we can change our minds. Scotland was on our wish list before we left so it will be fabulous if a bit cooler to explore. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed our videos and appreciate you taking the time to let us know. Be great to share a beer or two in Scotland one day. Instagram and Facebook are much more up to date to find out where we are. 😊⛵️ Oh and that looks a lovely motorboat in your TH-cam profile pic. I (iain) am a motor boater at heart and we may return to something like a Hardy 42 one day when the big passages are done. Cheers for now 😎
all great plans! keep living!
Thank you…😊⛵️
Great Video. Honest views shared in front of the camera can be difficult, but you pulled it off 👍👍 well done. I am sure your decision will work out for you, as you have thought everything through and been honest with yourselves. Maybe we will cross wakes when you get up to Scotland 👍 Good luck with the new plans.
Thanks guys. Really appreciate the comment and the support and yes we hope to be in Scotland in 24/25 so it’d be fabulous to catch up with you 😊🍺⛵️
Well. I was not expecting that! However I look forward to sharing a beer or wine with you when you get back. . I have not doubt that there was much soul searching before you decided, and having accepted the new course. Well done. Catch up soon. Xx
We weren’t expecting to feel this way either mate! How could we not love the sunshine? But it’s not the sunshine as such it was a whole host of things and we’re now excited for the new course and we’ll definitely catch up with you for that beer! 🍺😊
@@FollowIntrepidBear I get the 'too much heat' thing completely. We went off for 3 months. After which I was pining for home. Give us a bell when you get back.
Very Nice Island
It was a lovely island….thank you 😊
This is super exciting news! The West coast of Scotland is mega! Well done, flipping plans around is tough but always for the best! After all..."Sailors write their plans in the sand"...
As Kates dad says plans are etched in jelly! 😂 Yes we’re happy with the decision and very excited for Scotland. We’d hoped to get up there before we headed south but ran out of time and headed for the sun. Looking forward to spending some proper time up there. Maybe catch up with you guys on our way back across 🤞🏼🍺 Cheers 😊
The hardest thing about making a change of plans is to accept that your initial decision was not right for you - but you couldn't have known that at the time! To change is to reassess your priorities and 'what you are comfortable with. No doubt you have made the right decision - there is so much to see in Northern Europe and hopefully you'll be able to attend some UK based celebrations and reunions. Enjoy the remains of your fair weather winter and wishing you fair winds for your return to blighty!
Thanks Bob…yes it feels right for us at this time…who knows what the future holds but we’ll just go with the flow. Best thing is having made a decision and put a plan in action it lifts a weight off trying to work out what’s best. Looking forward to some awesome but cooler cruising in the north 😊⛵️
Pretty sure the decision is the right one , as always our priorities change, sometimes you have to try something to see what is right , I keep showing this type of video to my wife , as I would love to do something similar, but would start with the UK , the Caledonian canal is on my to do list
Thanks David…yes things change all the time. I think our plans change weekly to be honest! But we’re happy with the decision we made and looking forward to Scotland in perhaps 2024. Caledonian canal is right up there on our list too…maybe see you up there! 😊⛵️🏴
Doesn’t sound like Plan B or Z to me! Definitely Plan A! Hope you make it to Scotland in 2024 and if we find ourselves in the same anchorage we’ll pour you a dram. Slàinte!
It’s a very fair point you make Stuart Scotland was our plan A right from our first episode and maybe we should have stuck to it. Be great to share an anchorage and a dram with you one day and indeed Slàinte 🥃😊⛵️
Enjoyed the episode. Nicely done 🤗👍🏼
Cheers guys 😊⛵️
How refreshing. We are struggling with all the same stuff and have not left yet. Dog and house are big issues for us. Our plan for med would be to leave the boat there for the summer and move somewhere cooler. Visa's, schengen, pet travel, its endless but may well be due to change soon.
It’s great to hear that we’re not alone in our feelings and I hope you manage to keep making it work for you 😊 We’ve had a good season this year as we managed to get a French visa which eased the time pressure but we’re still looking forward to getting “home” next year and then exploring new cruising grounds 😊⛵️
From memory you are ex 'Job' As I am. You do your 30 and for the last five you countdown to the day you can go. Then when you go, you miss it. In most circumstances you miss the clowns and not the circus. Whilst in the job you generally give your all for the vocation and it defines you. It's natural to feel lost whilst on the journey to finding who YOU are. The sooner you redefine yourself, those abound you begin to forget about your past and you do also. It becomes a blur and you have to remind yourself about how you spent a large chunk of your life. The feelings you have are natural and it relates to retirement per-se but more so those who are institutionalised and retire.
Yes you’re right. 30 years with Dorset. I certainly don’t miss the job and do have quite a weird disconnect from it. I almost don’t recognise myself in pictures of me in uniform any more! It’s just a weird feeling from time to time of why are we doing whatever we’re doing but I think you’re right that I’ll settle into it and find my place fairly soon. Can’t imagine staying still so cruising is definitely a way to go. Just have to work out which bits we enjoy and which we don’t but it’s not a bad life so I’m not whinging….just making the changes we think will work. Thanks for your input and support. Much appreciated 😊👮🏻♂️
I think you're right to follow your heart, rather than blindly stick to a plan just for the sake of saying that was the original plan so we must carry on with it. After all, your home is MOBILE. Remember you can only steer a ship that's moving. While it's stationary it just gets blown about.
Thanks Alex…very wise words and, with a bit of luck, we might make band Burns night in 2024 🤞🏼🤞🏼😊
Great to hear you’re not selling up, we’ve lost too many ‘regulars’ lately 😢 so pleased we can look forward to lots more adventures, hopefully bump into you on your way over 🥳⛵️⚓️
Thank you…I’m glad you’ll be sticking around and it’d be great if we bump into you and share a cold one (or two!) 🍺🥂⛵️
Understandable change in plans. Brexit has messed things up for most British sailors.
Just as a thought. Have you considered buying a small (holiday-) property in the UK? That would enable you to go hybrid cruising. Spend the not-so-hot months on the boat in The Med and a good amount of time with your family. Solving the Schengen issue along the way as well..
Hi Bart thanks for your comment and support. We don’t have the funds to consider hybrid cruising yet but it is a consideration for the future when we should be slightly better off. Watch this space 😊
Well done and good decision!
Life is all about living and that includes adapting and changing as you go forward!
New adventures - new experiences.
Looking forward to seeing you both in Brittany!😊
Thanks Robin, you’re right it’s all about adapting! Looking forward to seeing you later in the year 😊⛵️🍺
Nice honest video. Thoughts that many of us have from time to time. It's why we've stopped making plans in this lifestyle. We have ideas and go with the flow of how we feel. We also haver the benefit of not being limited by Schengen. Good luck on your alternate plans. Hope you enjoy your new cruising grounds.
If we can provide any tips or info about the Netherlands, let us know.
Hi guys…thank you. Hopefully we’ll have some Netherlands cruising tips in the coming years. We’re hoping to do a thing called the Standing Mast Route where you can go through inland waterways without taking your mast down. But, as you say, too far ahead to actually make that plan. It’s just an aspiration/possibility. There’s a channel called Sailing Jibsea have recently posted Netherlands videos. Anyway thanks for the comment and maybe see you out there one day 😊⛵️
Do not over look the Baltic. Slightly warmer in the summer and some super sailing. Schenzen still a problem, but worth tackling.
Hi Pete, the Baltic is definitely on our list. Sweden do a tourist visa which might help us spend a season in that area. We’ve been through the Kiel canal bring out previous boat back from Baltic Germany and would love to do that again in better weather….watch this space 😊⛵️
Well done! Recognise what's best for you, and what you're both happy with, some beautiful sailing in the north, make sure the heating works
Thanks Paul….yes we will be doubling up the heating systems for sure! 🔥🥶😊
Some very honest emotions in that one! I hope the UK winters are more comfortable than the Greek summers for you! Enjoy your future cruising!
Cheers guys…Not looking forward to U.K. winters again but we’ll give it a go and see how we get on 🤞🏼🌧️🥶🇬🇧😂
Hi Guys, love the video as always. Love the honesty. You have accomplished much and more coming for the future, you are our favorite explorers. Family is a magnet just as it is suppose to be. Northern Europe will bring some cooler climates. We struggle with the heat also and are so thankful for AC. Looking forward to your next video .Schengen rules may keep us out of Europe, they seem counter productive to the economy and sailing specifically. Blessings
Thank Jim. Yes us Brits brought schengen on ourselves by leaving the EU but it has highlighted to us that it really is a system in need of some modernisation and flexibility for long term travellers. It just doesn’t seem reasonable that there is just a lack of visa’s that you can even apply for. Sailors and other long term travellers aren’t a huge proportion of spenders compared to the hoards of holidaymakers but we still all want to spend our money so why do they make it so hard? 😃 Thank you for your compliments, honoured to be your favourites and hope you enjoy the continuing travels to different cruising grounds. 😊😊
It's so refreshing to hear you keeping it real with your honesty and thoughts about meeting milestones & planning for future ones! We can definitely relate there. Looking forward to the next adventures 😁 Sailing European waters hasn't been massively documented either, so that in itself is going to be wonderful to watch! Scotland is on our bucket list 🙌 have a wonderful week 🌞✨
Thanks Suzie…we often hesitate to put out too much that’s negative but actually people seem to really appreciate a bit more reality. We’re really excited for Scotland and North Europe and hopefully we can do justice to it as we explore the area. We may winter on the south coast in 2023 so might see you around who knows. Thanks for your comment and support 😊⛵️
Hey guys! Great vid and, like you said, awesome to have the opportunity to adapt and change if things aren't quite right. Similar to you, we think it's best to listen to your gut and do what feels right rather than sticking at something because you'd planned it for so long and it's 'the dream'. Lifes too short! Cruising the UK and Northern Europe will be epic, plus I'm sure our paths will cross at some point this year that way ;)
Thanks guys…totally have to let go of what you think you should be feeling vs what you are actually feeling! Looking forward to seeing you guys again one day 😊⛵️
Exciting times ahead for you both. Totally understandable decision. Sweden is supposed to be stunning!
Thank you for your comment and support. We just watched sailing magic carpet doing Sweden and it looks mind blowing. So many amazing things to see in the world 😊😊⛵️
Well that makes a huge amount of sense and I’m really excited to follow your northern hemisphere adventures next year. We live on a beautiful island and are lucky to be so close to many other wonderful places within easy sailing reach. Great decision 👍
Thanks Richard…I think, in good weather, some of our home grown scenery is easily a match for anywhere on earth, we’re very excited to get to Scotland in the next couple of years. Glad you’re looking forward to following along and maybe we’ll catch up with you for a beer somewhere along the way 😊🍺
The decision is the hard part guys. Scotland and Scandinavia is an exciting place and who knows - North america could be next ! St Kilda and Orkney are my favourite sailing places. I don't like the heat either, and having been in the job for my 30, know what you miss when you leave. Come back home and reset. Take it from there. Darned Brexit.......
Hi…thank you. Yes the decision was definitely the hard part. We have a plan again now! Absolutely right that we’ve no idea what the future holds, the Atlantic, the pacific or maybe just good old Scotland! We’ll let this phase settle for a few years and see what we feel like then. St Kilda is very high on our bucket list so we hope to get there. Great to hear words of support from a fellow retiree….hopefully our paths may cross in Scotland one day and we can share a beer or 3 🍺🍺🍺 Cheers 😊
Well done for trying it is not working if it is not fun try something different Scotland is fantastic uncrowded ⚓ amazing sailing please carry on with the great films
Thank you Ken. Yes we are excited for Scotland and will definitely still be making videos. We’ve just invested in a 360 camera and really enjoy making the videos so there’s no plan to stop making them. Thanks for you kind words and support 😊⛵️
Your authenticity as 'normal people' cruising has always been your USP and I do hope you'll continue with your videos, perhaps expanding to show how you cope onboard ('Kate's Kulinary Korner', perhaps, as well as your thought-processes). We recognised what you found and split our lives into two halves with a house in Cyprus for Oct-April and a 40-footer kept for cruising UK and northern European waters, thus balancing out unbearable heat versus 'orrible cold with plenty of time for family. Schengen is irrelevant, particularly with the splendid cruising grounds of Ireland being within the Common Travel Area and we're able to source spares, repairs etc with ease. We can still easily cruise to the Azores, Med or wherever if we so chose. Just a thought, if it hadn't already occurred to you but Brexit does NOT mean that its no longer possible to have a house elsewhere in Europe. Its still quite easy to buy/rent out here with a rolling 5 year visa and the cost of living is less than UK with easy flights. I'd have thought you could always do much the same in Portugal or perhaps Spain, although Cyprus and Portugal seem much more Brit-friendly. Whatever you decide, do keep up the videos as it seems you're developing quite an extended - and well-wishing - 2nd family on this site!
Hi Iain…thank you. We most certainly intend to keep on making videos for sure. Definitely going to try and take on board what you say about the day to day life and Kates cooking because it does seem to go down well. We have considered a base somewhere like Portugal and a boat in the U.K. or vice versa! At this stage we are just on the one pension and financially that’s not an option but once Kate retires it’ll certainly be something to think about. We have many many options floating around in our heads for the more distant future, whether we buy a property somewhere or move to a motorboat in the French canals but retain enough seagoing ability to still come out into the North Sea or the Med. They are all just considerations and probably at least 5 years away but we just have to see what the future holds. If we’re happy sailing north there are quite a few seasons of exploring to do up there but maybe when the grandkids are older or we have enough money to fly more often we may yet sail off to more distant shores. This season has proved that we just have to go with our guts and hopefully we’ll find some balance and our groove in due course. It’s been awesome but really looking forward to Scotland now. However there’s a whole season ahead just getting back to the U.K. so it’s a way off yet. Anyway totally take on board your suggestions, you’re not the only one who’s indicated they’d like to see more in that regard so we’ll definitely try to include more of those segments. Thanks for your detailed comment and support. Hope you enjoy the voyage “home”! ⛵️😊
@@FollowIntrepidBear We knew you were in Monte no-go presently as caught sight of you both on another channel! They say that luck is where preparation meets opportunity, and you're doing plenty of both; I think you've the basis for a seriously unique niche in TH-cam as you explore your options. There's so many glitzy but unimaginative sailing Vlogs that resemble TV travel or 'how to' programs out there but you highlight the highly personal choices that all of us in the 'real world' have to face; don't be afraid to show emotion even if you are British and former cops....
If our boat ever survives its increasingly-expensive refit we'll be around the Irish Sea - Shetlands for the next couple of years so will look out for you on 'MarineTraffic' or suchlike. All the very best of fortune and may you remain invisible to Border Patrols. Iain & Tracy, SV 'Wight Leopard'.
The point of retirement is to be able to do what you want. No need to blindly follow a plan you are no longer enjoying. Go where enjoy your life!
Thank you 😊 You’re so right 👍🏻
It is so unfortunate that the Shenghen issue is affecting so many U.K. (non EU) yachties. None of your stresses would have been so impactful had you been able to remain in EU waters indefinitely.
Agreed Tony….the schengen issue was a big driver. Without it we’d have cruised the western Med a lot more slowly, could have maybe stayed in Greece a lot longer. Obviously the missing family would still be there but without the time pressures it might have been different 🤷🏻♂️ I know us Brits brought schengen on ourselves so to speak but it has highlighted that now it’s so big they really could do with being a bit more flexible but sadly I don’t see it changing anytime soon so we’ll go north for a while. Schengen will still be an issue but we’ll have more options and never be that far from the U.K. if we need to duck out for a bit. Thanks for commenting 😊
Understandable feelings but nothing of great value is easy to do. I don't think we (overseas boat cruising people) should miss any opportunity to clearly and unambiguously make detrimental points about the underlying cause that has derailed so many of our lives ie the behaviour of the British Government, some of its electorate, and a duff Parliament and useless set of electoral processes = BREXIT. The passage north again, particularly in the later months will be a slog, for sure. I hope your French visa works out (it was excellent for us). But then don't forget about the VAT issues you might face, although I guess the Montenegro stay has restarted the 18 month clock? Good luck.
Thank you. Yes brexit has messed it up for us Brits but I still feel that as schengen grows there should be more flexibility for long term travellers to be able to apply for visa’s. In our Montenegrin schengen escape there are lots of non eu nationals who didn’t vote for anything and are stuck with the shuffle. Brexit was massively detrimental for travel but has made me realise that schengen is itself a pain and, in my opinion, needs to adjust to the fact that it’s now so big. Unfortunately long term traveler’s are such a small proportion of income that I don’t see much changing for a while. We are aware that running up against the autumn in the north will be a challenge but, if we get the visa, we’ll have until January 2024 and will leave the boat if we have to. If we don’t get the visa we’ll just be sailing straight across Biscay to the U.K. in august but that’s not our preferred option. We’d love to do the French Biscay coast. Thanks for your comment and good wishes 😊⛵️
In fairness, the stupidity wasn't at all one-sided. In the words of a politician in the Bundestag: "Just what was David Cameron asking for that was so hard to accept?".
How about base yourselves in Ireland, pay tax there, five years later get an Irish passport, no more schengen problems?
Cheers Nick…answered on Facebook but it’s definitely one to think about 😊🇮🇪