How it all began

The perfect lifestyle?

So there we were on our wee farm, with our herd of alpacas and our two cats. Life was sweet. We had an awesome lifestyle and lived in a wonderful place. Everything seemed ordered and settled...or so I thought! On that auspicious day - the one that would see our lives turned upside down - I was sitting drinking a cup of tea and minding my own business. I was busy thinking how far we had come in the eight or so years since we'd arrived in New Zealand from the UK, when out of the blue my husband, Howard (aka Captain) suddenly said, "Do you fancy selling up and living on a boat?" 
I choked on my cup of tea. "What sort of boat?" I spluttered.
"I was thinking I could build us a 36 foot yacht" came the reply.

The calm before the storm

My mind instantly flashed back to the Noelex 22 we used to own and the last time we had gone sailing together. The forecast had been for light winds with the promise of a pleasant and peaceful day on the water. I love the sea, but as a novice and I have to confess somewhat wussy sailor, light winds suited me just fine - I certainly wasn't seeking any adrenaline rushes. For Howard, on the other hand, light airs were a little tame and lacked excitement...but as things turned out he wasn't going to be disappointed for long!

Just as we were coming in around Taiaroa Head the wind threw a real tantrum. Howard perked up as the sailing became more 'interesting' whilst I grew more wary. However, I convinced myself that we'd be home and hosed once we got into the shelter of Otago Harbour. What a poor misguided fool I was! Far from easing, the wind was screaming down the Harbour. Howard yelled above the noise of the wind, "We simply have to get the sails down and come in under motor." I knew that my skills were lacking in both those areas so opted to take down the sails leaving Howard to deal to the outboard. By now, the waves were crashing over the bow of the boat, the rain was falling and it felt as though we were on some sort of roller coaster ride. We were both absolutely soaked but had no time to don waterproofs. I reached up to pull the mainsail down and BANG, I lost my footing as the boat hurtled down a wave. I smacked into the cockpit, my ribs taking the full force of the impact. The pain was incredible. I could see that Howard was fighting to control the boat so I had no time to moan about the pain or feel sorry for myself (OK, so I did find time to feel sorry for myself!). I had to get the sails down and just hang out for reaching the safety - and hopefully the tranquility - of Back Beach at Port Chalmers.

I was jolted back into the present. "So, what do you reckon?" Howard needed an answer. As far as I was concerned his suggestion was a no-brainer so he received a very polite but nontheless definite response - an emphatic, "No thanks!" By way of an explanation, I reminded him about my startling lack of prowess with the Noelex and, in spite of some cajoling on Howard's part telling me that sailing a bigger boat would be so much easier, I remained adamant.

Howard went quiet. I knew he was disappointed but he'd get over it. We already had Orca, our fizz-boat - a Bayliner Capri - which was great for indulging our passion for fishing, so I was certain that this boat building idea was just a passing fad. He was probably bored or going through his midlife crisis a little on the late side. It was bound to pass if I just gave him a little bit of time for common sense to prevail. And anyway, we were due to go on holiday to the Marlborough Sounds in a few weeks. That would definitely sort him out.

Marlborough Sounds - will common sense prevail?