Time to Migrate South

Well, we finally received Schooner's Titer Certificate to fly to England.  We purchased our tickets to fly from Guatemala City to Heathrow in mid-September and return November 6th.  We wanted to stay longer in Europe but it is what it is and we will enjoy it every bit we get.

We plan to find as many housesits to offset the cost and to make our stay a little more interesting.  The only place we plan to go is Bath where good friends are at the moment.  From there it is all up to the luck of the draw.  We use sites such as Trusted House Sitter and Housesitting UK to find people in need of a house sitter.  We currently have two sits scheduled.

We left from Isla Mujeres on Sunday, June 24th and had every intention of sailing to Guanaja Honduras, but the winds were a bit too much on our nose so we changed our destination to Roatan.  We planned to see all three of the Bay Islands this year but it looks as if we will only get to see two of them.

Our trip was fairly uneventful except for being a close reach and sometimes a close haul.  This means bumpy.  My meds worked somewhat, I still needed to stay laying down for most of the trip but I didn't throw up.  Once we changed destinations the ride became more comfortable and I was able to get up and do a few more things.

We are now anchored off Roatan's West End.  No complaints.... Check in was a breeze and it is lovely seeing the Bay Island blue water again.  Back to island life.  Not that Isla Mujeres isn't an island but it is a different culture in the Bay Islands, one we enjoy just as much.

Our plans are to sick around the West End for a few days then head up to Calabash and French Harbour.  After that head over to Utila.  Utila is a known diving destination. It is filled with many backpackers who are interested in diving. We have never been there before because we don't dive. So this will be a first for us.

We are expected back in the Rio Dulce by August first for a month-long house sit. That should be interesting since it will be our first long sit.

Well, that is it for us at the moment.  We continue to have our lists of continuous maintenance and improvements.  I think since I am unable to move my furniture around then I am constantly looking to improve the function of everything we have.

Remember to be good to yourself and to OTHERS.

Slow trip back to Mexico

Not even sure where I should begin for this post. I suppose I should tell you where we are, Isla Mujeres Mexico. We arrived Tuesday, April 3rd.  

Our trip here started off a bit rough, which made me ill. I have a tendency of getting sick on passages, especially if they are rough ones. I have tried all kinds of remedies. Some work better than others but there are times nothing works. I bare it because I love to travel and this is the transportation we have since Steve is the sailor.

I do love living aboard our home at anchor.  We only move her a few times a year so to me it is worth taking the risk I will be sick.  But this last trip got to Steve. He does not like seeing me so ill and he doesn't enjoy solo handling the boat at night. So from now on we will extend the passages and stop for nights if possible.  

We love Mexico, especially Isla Mujeres.  Steve has come to the point where he just wants to stay here full time. Not sure that will happen right now but it may in the future. For this year we will stick to the plan of returning to Guatemala for Hurricane season. We have summer travel plans to Europe. After that who knows what we will do. Life requires flexibility.

We love that we have so many friends that travel as we do. Once again we met up with old friends here in Isla. One of the couples are who Steve delivered the catamaran with a few years ago now. We have plans of visiting them in Ireland this summer.

Things are getting busier for me with my freelance work. I truly enjoy helping others and traveling while doing it has been the huge cherry on top.  Sitting in coffee shops has always delighted me and now I have an excuse to go more often.

My daughter, Samantha, is visiting us soon for 10 days. So this should be fun. She will get to meet our cruising friends and see how we really live now.  She has stayed with us on the boat in the states at a marina but this is not the same. She may never come again, haha.

So our plans are to stay here until end of May then sail up to the Honduras Bay Islands for a month or so and return to the Rio in July.  If anyone would like to join is know you're always welcomed. We enjoy sharing this experience with others. Even if you have never sailed but would like to try it; we don't mind teaching. You will just need a flexible schedule.Weather rules ou travel plans.  

Well that is all for now, be good to one another..