The next phase

We've been back on land for a couple of months now and all is well. It has been a busy time, which is likely a good thing as it kept us from dwelling overmuch on the transition as it was happening.

During our two years away, and particularly over the last winter in Mortagne, we formed the idea that returning to city life probably wouldn't work out for us after spending so much time in peaceful rural or wild surroundings.

The plan that evolved out of this was that we should sell our flat in Edinburgh and look for a smallholding in one of the more remote parts of Scotland: where we could grow vegetables, keep hens and generally keep living according to the principles that drove us to step out of the mainstream and live  on the margins of society in the first place.

Although it sounds like going by opposites to jump from small boat voyaging to settling down on a smallholding, the two modes of life share many features. The obvious difference is that instead of moving on all the time we will be staying put, and that is exactly what we're looking for now.

The first month back was spent preparing the flat and getting it on the market. We have since accepted an offer and in turn had our offer accepted on what we hope will be our dream cottage down in Galloway. We should be relocated and starting our new life by the end of October.

Now for the hard part. Chickens and bluewater voyaging don't go at all well together. Though we've been putting it off and putting it off, finally we have had to make up our minds whether it makes sense to keep Fettler when we move accross to the West. The answer, realistically, is no. Parting with her will be painful, but ultimately less so than watching her moulder on a mooring when all we can do is take her out for an occasional daysail.

So, the take-home message is that Fettler is looking for caring new owners with a taste for adventure who would like to take over the stewardship of a very fine vessel. If anybody reading this is interested, or knows someone who might be, please get in touch by leaving a comment on the blog. No contact details will be published on the blog - these messages will only get as far as me, the moderator.