Monday 21 March 2011

Letting the cat out of the bag, the horse out of the stall, the boat out of the harbour…


In my last post I alluded to a big adventure that my family and I will be embarking on in the very near future. Use of the term 'embarking' is a big clue ;-).

I have been sitting on this info for a long time…more than a year in fact. I have kept my life compartmentalised for numerous reasons, but mostly because…well, because this blog is about cardmaking and scrapbooking! However, this blog is also about things that make me smile - my tiddlywinks, my garden, my lampwork jewellery…and this little secret that I have been sitting on also makes me smile!

Today, Di Barnes awarded me a Stylish Blogger award (thanks so much Di) and I decided that I could use the 'eight things about me' requirement to let the cat out of the bag (and hopefully also help keep a tight rein on my tendency to natter on about not much of anything). Soooooooooo, here goes…
  • My husband and I bought a 1992 Lagoon 42 TPI catamaran the Christmas before last and we have been working on sprucing her up ever since…she is called Lucey Blue.
  • My family and I are about to move out of our house, and on to this catamaran…for an 8 month adventure up the coast of Australia, hopefully as far as Cairns and back. We anticipate leaving Sydney in about 55 days time.
  • I am currently studying for my Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) …everything you ever wanted to know (and some you didn't) about operating a VHF and an MF/HF radio.
  • I get seasick (JOY!), and won't be able to take my usual preventative drugs due to the fact that I'll be breastfeeding Thumper (double JOY!!)
  • We have another blog which documents our preparations for this voyage, and to which we will post about our adventures along the way. If you are interested, you can check it out here...but be warned, lots of the recent posts are focused on boaty fix-it type things, including installation of a vacuum-flush toilet...scintillating stuff I assure you ;-).
  • I am not sure how much cardmaking I will be able to achieve while we are away, hopefully a little…but I am also going to teach myself to crochet! One day I want to make awesome, rainbow-coloured bundles of happiness like Lucy from Attic 24.
  • We have a whole heap of things still to do before we leave, not least of which is packing up the house and finalising enrolment of Miss almost 7 in Distance Education for terms 2 - 4 this year.
  • I am very, very excited about this adventure...seasickness and all.

If you made it this far thanks for reading about our plans!

I actually also have a card to show you...but with the dreary, rainy day we had today I didn't get a chance to photograph it for you. I'll have to get back to you later

Bedtime...ciao, ciao!

11 comments:

Bronwyn Eastley said...

Oh!!! Wow. I got someone to teach me how to crochet. It's so much fun and I love Attic 24 too!! Sounds like such an adventure. Happy sailing.

Unknown said...

Woo Hoo, lucky you, you will have such a great time, its the best feeling on a boat, almost like a freedom isn't it. Good luck with your preparations. Hugs Melissa x

Danielle Daws said...

Wow!! What an adventure! I'm sure you've already thought of the acupressure wrist bands for seasickness - they got me through the brief period of morning sickness I had with Olivia. :-)

MadonnaDunn said...

You rock!! What an AWESOME adventure for your family!!! Way to go Sam!! I'll definitely be following along with your other blog!! Best of luck with it all! xo

Diane Barnes said...

Oh Sam, I'm so excited for you all embarking on your big adventure. I hope the rest of your prep goes really well. I've checked out your Lucey blog & she's beautiful (& love all the upholstery too).
As a aside, you must check when 'international talk like a pirate' day (true!)is, so that you can be prepared. I think it would be so much fun with the kids on the boat.
Lots of hugs, Di

Paula Dobson said...

OMG- what an adventure!!!!! I am totally envious, except the sea sickness part!! I don't know how you have managed to keep it quiet for so long. I can't wait to follow your fabulous travels Sam. Best wishes ♥

Rose said...

Wow, Sam! How exciting! I hope you have a fantastic voyage and look forward to checking in on you to hear the latest! :) Safe travels to you and your family!!

Unknown said...

Have fun & travel safety. I already knew how to crochet. I learned how to crochoet when I was in high school 35 years ago. Good luck to you how to crochet yourself.

Debbie Pamment said...

Wishing you and your family THE MOST AMAZING ADVENTURE EVA!!!! Am sure you'll have a blast and it will be something to remember forever! Travel safe my friend - and hope the seasickness isn't toooo bad!
Lotsaluv and Bon Voyage!
xXx

Patrice said...

How did I miss this! Sooooooooooooo excited for you. The penny has dropped now, a couple of things you've said in passing make sense all of a sudden *smile*.

Happy to give you some crochet lessons before you head off on your sailing adventure, just yell out.

Ummmm how much craft are you going to be able to hoard aboard?

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Oh, how EXCITING! Wow - it will be so much fun!

I love crocheting and recently made some flowers to use in my cardmaking with some gorgeous yarn I picked up from Spotlight. Australian & UK crochet terms are different to the USA terms so be wary if you pick up a crochet book or magazine that is from the USA when you have learnt the Aussie terms. I can give you the conversions - just drop me an email - but just as an example, single crochet in the USA is double crochet in Australia/UK - and double crochet in the USA is treble in Australia/UK.

There are lots of fantastic tutorials on You Tube too if you are a visual learner.

Well, I'm off to check your other Blog.

{{hugs}}
Jocelyn