Going to the Carib, IRIE!!!

Hello Guys,

This is just a quick update of my comings and goings over the last few months. October saw our arrival into Palma for a two month shipyard period. All crew were seriously looking forward to the Monday- Friday, 9-5 job that we very rarely get to experience. I was definately ready for my 5 weeks of holidays that I knew were coming up before Christmas.

The Shipyard period was good, ill give it that. It was a break from the norm and a chance for the crew to recharge after our Mediterranean season. Most of us joined a gym and went there after work each night, then we would spend our evenings chilling on the boat or go out for drinks. We spent our weekends cruising around the island, mainly hitting shopping centers as it was a bit wintry for hitting the beaches- October in Palma, a little chilly. The one time we attempted to lie on a beach we somehow ended up on a nudist beach and then the heavens opened up.

Nothing overly exciting happened at shipyard, just had a good time- that’s all that matters right?

All the crew took it in turns to take their holidays. October 30th came and it was my turn. I spent the first week with Mum, Dad and Bro in Ibiza, then headed to Bolton just in time for my nephews Christening on the 4th November. He was so cute when the Vicar was saying the vows to him. Brandon kept on nodding and smiling in agreement although he couldn’t possibly have had a clue what was going on. The Christening was a great opportunity for me to see all of my family in 1 sitting, RESULT!!!! Not much effort needed on my part. As always my dads great and he hired me a car. It’s amazing the freeness that comes with a pair of wheels, I just love jumping in the car and going for a drive. It’s a thing that most people take for granted or maybe not, some people don’t like to drive I guess, but I love it!

I drove to Berwick Upon Tweed for a couple of days at my room mates parents house there. Hannah and I have shared a cabin on the boat for 7 months and she came to stay with my parents in Ibiza. It was a 4 hour drive from Bolton to Berwick and spent the whole time driving there screaming (as opposed to singing) to my ipod. Berwick was so lovely, a great difference to Bolton. Small town where everyone knows everyone (especially Hannah’s dad who taught most of the town music at the local high school). I decided to stay there for 4 days instead of 2. Also I had a little drama there with my car key. I parked the car in town and when I went to get back in it the key phob wouldn’t open it so me and Hannah had to take it to a garage where they claimed there was nothing they could. A few phone calls later the Saab dealer told us that if you pull the key phob apart then there is a key in it. Back to the car we went and all was well.

After the holiday in Berwick-Upon-Tweed I planned to spend the next two weeks of my break in Switzerland skiing for a week then in the Caribbean for a week of sun awaiting the boat there after its trans Atlantic from Palma.

My Auntie Sue and I arrived in Saas Fee, same as the year before but this time we had planned our accommodation in advance- learning from last years mistake. After our first week there we decided to stay instead of going to the Caribbean. We skied everyday and really felt broken after that holiday. I did find myself in quite the dilemma one day after coming out of the restaurant at the top of the mountain to find my skis gone. A girl rocked up an hour later when she figured out she took the wrong skis. Think next time I’ll be trying my hand at snowboarding.

Well now its off to St Maarten for me to meet the boat after its Atlantic crossing from Palma. I’ll keep you posted.

Apologies for there being no pics as my iphoto as crashed. I’ll tell you all about my Christmas and New Year n the Caribbean once the problem is rectified and I can add pics.

So Ciao for now xxxx