If you are going to have a midlife crisis, do it with style and go sailing! Passionate about sailing, I have been lucky enough to live and sail in some incredible places around the world!
Way back when…
Growing up (some would doubt the veracity of that statement) in Taupo, my Dad taught me how to sail. Many happy memories where made, racing and cruising trailer yachts on this lake as well as lakes and dams throughout the North Island. Over the years, I have been able to continue this sport recreationally overseas. The other things I love to do are travel, and to eat! Sailing is a great way to combine all those things!
Previous incarnations…
I was a Registered Dietitian for many years – hence the interest in food. Having lived, studied and worked all over New Zealand, it was this career that took me overseas. The first stop was the FNQ (Far North Queensland), a place called Townsville.
A fantastic location for access to the Outback, which meant road trips and camping. One hungover Sunday afternoon I just happened to spot an ad on Seek asking who wanted to be a dietitian in the Caribbean. Pick me. I sent them an email, and a couple of months later I was on a plane to Bermuda.
Nascent Midlife crisis…
While living in Bermuda, I spent most of my spare time racing and cruising small keelers around the islands. It was awesome to watch Bermuda showcased for the most recent Americas cup – and even better to see that Silverware come back to our shores! My first offshore experience was delivering a race boat from Bermuda to the US – in a dying hurricane no less! Having got a wee taste of blue water sailing, I wanted more.
When my contract finished, instead of being sensible and getting another job, I decided to cross the Atlantic – from La Rochelle in France to the British Virgin Islands in what was possibly the most extended delivery trip ever with many stops along the way. These included the Madeiras, Canary’s, and the Cape Verdes Islands.
Full-blown midlife crisis…
That was when my decidedly midlife crisis occurred – I chucked in the nine to five job and became a full-time sailor! I gain my Yachtmaster on the waters around the Straits of Gibraltar. Ending up in the South of France, in the time-honoured backpacker tradition – I ran out of cash and up against the work permit issue and had to return home!
Current incarnation…
Back sailing full time in my hometown, for Sail Barbary, I am enjoying being a tourist in my own country when I have time off! Working in the tourism industry has made me look at my own country with new eyes.
There are many quotes about the benefits of travel, both to the individual and the community at large. I can probably apply all of them to myself – depending on my mood. There is any number of blogs about, websites devoted to and an entire social media industry around travel that did not exist 20 years ago.
The days of ye old slide show with blurry photos when travellers return are long gone. I always liked the stories behind those photos. Instead, we now have the highly curated instatwitface version of travel, done in real time. I love taking pictures – occasionally I even make a good one.
My purpose in writing this blog is to capture stories that led to these photos. The images aren’t perfect, neither are the tales behind them. Travel is kind of like that! I hope that they are interesting tales and inspire people to get out there!
19 bits of useless information…
- Any upcoming travel plans? I am trying really hard to not go to Hawaii and be a disaster tourist
- What brought you here? Mum and Dad’s spare room! I ran out of money
- When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Dreaming up adventures
- What are you reading currently? Stuff on building websites
- What’s the first concert you attended? ACDC. The sound shell collapsed and then there was a riot
- Where do you most hope to visit? I need to win the lotto to help whittle the list down
- What’s your favourite book? Power of One
- What’s your favourite 90’s show? ER
- What’s the best Halloween costume you’ve ever had? The only one, it was a dress like a scrabble board
- What’s your dream job? I’m living the dream! Skipper for Sail Barbary
- What’s your favourite word? Phuck and see you next Tuesday
- What was your first job? Working in the fish bar at Woolworths
- What was the worst job you’ve ever had? One whole day door to door selling video cards
- If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Drinking and swearing. I would get gold in both
- If you could change your name, what would it be? Sarah, but spelt in a cool way…
- What was your favourite subject in school? Study leave
- What’s your hidden talent? I can make wine disappear
- If you had to eat one thing for every meal going forward, what would you eat? Macronutrients
- If someone were to play you in a movie, who would you want it to be? Sigourney Weaver, channelling Ripley