Easing into Retirement

I had been thinking of retirement for some time and what to do when I did. The opportunity to go sailing in the Mediterranean with Barb and Hew in June offered so I locked in my retirement date.

I retired on the 30th April and left for London on the 25th May, the joined the yacht on the 3rd of June in Sicily.

After some final yacht maintenance we departed or Malta on the 6th June.

Obviously, since the yacht was at sea for the first time in six months there were a few teething problems but nothing that a couple of days of maintenance in Malta, with a ready supply of boat chandlers and parts, couldn’t rectify. The stay in Malta was combined with a day exploring the fort/castle and then spending 24 hours exploring a beautiful bay called Dwerja on Gozo.

We departed for Albania on the 12th June taking 2 days sailing and motor sailing arriving in the early morning of Friday 14th June. The Albanians were very friendly during our forays ashore. I had my first off shore haircut, which I was initially very worried about having had the same NZ barber for many years.

The boat was cleared out of Albania and after filling the tanks with diesel we departed on the 16th June for the Croatian Island of Korcula one and a half days away.

In Korcula we picked up some more friends Liz and Simon. Since then it has been a very relaxing two and a half weeks visiting towns, little coves, castles, and very pretty grottos.

Not to mention the odd glass of wine and dining out. During the whole period the weather has been amazing with plenty of sun. The only downside has been the wind which we always seem to have on the nose when moving around the islands. There has been a lot of relaxing but no fishing. The most fish we saw around the boat was on the second to last day in a lovely bay called Prozura Luka, Miljet.

With no wind motoring in 30 deg is exhausting!!!

Last day on the yacht we motored to Dubrovnik and had a really good look around the harbour. Including going under the bridge which has 55m clearance but seems so close.

Then past Dubrovnik old town used in the film “The Game of Thrones”.

Then past the super yachts parked in the no anchoring area. Loved this one owned by Frank Lowry the Westfield man from Australia but don’t think my entire net worth would even pay for a year of running it!!! Unfortunately his fleet of Gulfstreams couldn’t fit in my garage!!!

We moored on a free mooring in Cavtat and went into town for the last dinner and last gelato. Where has all the time gone????