The Seagull Has Landed (or rather seagulls)

Unbelievably, incredibly, magnificently, we are returning to Singapore! Yes, after 18 months of sailing 12,000 miles we are going to be right back where we started!
But the world is round. We all end up back where we started anyway, don’t we? And somehow, this time, we have found our way back to Singapore without sailing all the way back (which is a good thing). Our boat is safe and sound in Marmaris, Turkey at a marina for the winter and we will be flying to Singapore tomorrow.

Irena, as usual, led the way. She is going back to work in Singapore for Orion Health (this company acquired the HIS product that Irena worked with previously). Although Singapore will be her base, her job will involve a lot of travel throughout Asia, Europe and maybe even the Middle East.

And Cress will step back into his consulting business and get started on that new book! We know it will be a relatively  easy transition back into Singapore, and we are both ready for the excitement and stimulation of our work.

So, as the weather cools here in the Med, we are reflecting on the wonderful summer we had. Irena says it was a split personality summer for her – fabulous cruising with friends, fantastic food, great sights on the one hand. On the other hand, there was living with the uncertainty of where would we end up, when would we find work, would we find work. And Irena was, well, feeling uncertain. Up, down, up, down….sideways….

Cress on the other hand (according to Irena) just kind of cruised through the summer, so to speak, even keel, steady, calm, collected - with a sense of faith things would just work out. At least on the outside.

In fairness, Irena rode the job seeking rollercoaster. She was fielding the job applications, dealing with a couple of rejection letters (something she’s not used to at all!) and beginning to wonder if she was still employable. 

At 56 and 57 could we maybe even be past our prime in some employer’s eyes? Unthinkable! This, perhaps, was the most terrifying prospect for Cress - could it be that are anywhere near an age where the system would bar us simply because of age!

But no, Irena is not past her prime (or too old, which I hasten to add, she never was or will be)! She is in fact stepping into a senior role as Project Director with Orion Health. Well, we all know Irene has always been ‘The Director’ so now its official.

Cress is, mixed about the idea of going back. The good news is he will step back in where he left off, with his executive coaching and corporate training business. Plus writing. Boat deliveries. Skippering. The usual mix of suspects. And I am certain he is going to dream up a few new things as well!

So here we go- back to the heat, back to clean, green and safe Singapore. 

Ahhh, but Conversations – she will be in beautiful Marmaris, just waiting for us to steal away for a few weeks next summer. To infinity…. And beyond!

Somewhere in the Grecian Quadrant.

Star Date 2012 09 01 

(Somewhere in the Grecian Quadrant.)

“This is your captain speaking. We have totally run out of fresh fruit, vegetables and white wine. We will therefore be making an unscheduled stop somewhere on the planet to take on supplies. As usual, the conditions of the prime directive apply: Do nothing to alarm the natives. When in the supermarket checkout line-up, if they ask you what your are doing, just tell them you are a “Fresh Air Inspector”. And, be sure to put on some clothes before you go ashore so that they will not be frightened.  That is all.”

As we slip into the 80th day cruising in the Mediterranean, time and distance have lost meaning. We are long past the time when we can remember where we were a week ago.



We are drifting through time on waters clear and warm, the days hot, the nights cool. Every day is a perfect sunny day. Everywhere we go is a perfect place. Everyone is friendly, everyone is on holiday. Like e=mc². Nothing is real. It feels like it will go on forever.

Well, probably not forever. But for a while longer.

Our friends - Tracy and Warren and son Stewart, joined us for a two week sail  through Sardinia and Sicily. 

Then Paul, Darlene, Jordon and Megan Clarke took over keeping us company for the trip to Greece and a sail around the Ionian Group.

Of course, nothing goes on forever. Nothing and nowhere is perfect. 

As we are adrift through a summer cruising season in the Mediterranean, we are adrift as to our futures. 

Work has not found us yet, as much as we (Irena in particular) are sending out smoke signals. 

And we are making a good dent in the cruising kitty. But with nothing much else to do, we continue exploring the planet while our freedom and the weather lasts. And so, there you have it: Perfect cruising, perfect uncertainty.

Somehow, we are coping. 

(It helps that it comes in a nifty box for a Euro or two)

And, my oh my, but there are a lot of places to see here in the Mediterranean!

Some how, I think we are going to be okay....

As long as we don't take a wrong turn and drift off into space forever....

Cress and Irena