First Message

[Borris12]

Hi my name is Jane and I'm engaged to a wonderful man Hamish.Our story is a little different, unlike 99.9% of everyone else on here we don't yet have a boat...ok I will explain


2 1/2 years ago I was told I had Parkinson's!! It was a huge low in my life, and then got worse. My husband at the time couldn't handle me being very sick and left me and my three kids with very little money and no where to live ( as he got the huge four bedroom house with in ground pool ). So there I was sick, alone and trying to care for three kids. Until my knight in shining armour came into my life. Within four months we were engaged! All we have done though since we have been together is move closer to hospitals and go to appointment. I'm due soon to have major brain surgery it's called DBS ( deep brain stimulation ) it's a nine hour surgery, and I'll be out of action for about six month.


Even though the operation will help me a great deal, I have been advised to live the rest of my life to the fullest, while I can. We both have the same dream....to purchase a boat and travel around Australia by water. We have one small problem MONEY, we are going to take a huge risk and sell everything we own and get our dream boat. We are going to have to do a few things different to what we had hoped though, work along the way being the main one.


The main reason I have joined this forum, is to get as much information on boating as possible. For example where we can Moore for free, stop to get food etc, and anything else I haven't yet thought of. Our main concern are the children, I had to pass over full time care of them to my ex, until I had operation. Then once I was well enough I would get them back, but about a week ago I got the worst news any mum could get, my ex told me I wasn't getting my kids back, as I was an unfit mum!! Other than going to court to fight for them, which you have to understand is extremely hard for me, I would properly end up in hospital, because of nerves, and he knows that. So we are going to try and have them every school holidays on the boat. When we tell them this I think it will be a bitter sweet moment, they will be extremely upset that mum and Hamish can't have them back, but on the other hand their going to be on a boat every school holidays. My eldest is a very keen fisherman, and would fish in a puddle, so imagine how he will react!!


So if anyone has any advice for us, please feel free to let me know. I told you it was a bit of a different story, and VERY long winded....thanks for reading about my crappy life ( until I met Hamish ) LOL. We are hoping we are making the right decision, and our life will be full of wonderful boating memories. Xx

[IceDog]

Welcome Jane and Hamish! I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming adventure. I think you will find that quite a few people on Cruisers Forum don't have a boat yet but are researching boats and the cruising lifestyle.
In my case I have a boat but I haven't seen it yet I will be seeing it in May for the first time. In 2006, my wife was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors and had an 11 hour brain surgery to remove them. The surgery was successful though she lost a lot of her vision during the surgery. She will be living aboard with me next year starting in Florida and then wherever the wind blows us...
I am sorry that you are having such family difficulties but I am happy for you that you have found a good man and a dream to follow!
-Kevin

[Borris12]

Hi Kevin,

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife, but it sounds like she is a real fighter. I think we are going to enjoy this site, and will be glued to to for a while trying to learn as much as we can...lol. Must be hard knowing you have a boat sitting there but not being able to get in it and sale away...hope we can chat some more, and I also wish you and your amazing wife the best of luck in the future xx

[denverd0n]

Trust me, you are WAAAAY over-estimating the percentage of the participants here who have boats. Many are just dreamers. Some are planning on buying soon. Some are between boats. Others have small day-sailers or such, and are planning on moving up to a cruising boat eventually. And some don't have a boat and don't plan to get one, but charter frequently enough that they want to "keep up" with things by participating here.

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum...I have learned never give up on myself or my dream

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Welcome to the Forum. This place is like a support group of its own.

Enjoy!

[nigel1]

Welcome and I wish you well. My cousin recently underwent DBS for the same reasons, and it made a huge difference.
Hope you find the boat and have many happy experiences.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Sorry of the ill healthy and hope the surgery helps. You have a great dream and I hope you can fulfill it.
kind regards,

[boatman61]

Hello Jane.. Hi Hamish.. Welcome to CF...
Rule 1... to 10.. it gets a bit uppity in here from time to time so a thick skin and a good sense of humour is essential..
Advice is in plenty.. there's some very helpful and knowledgeable folk on here... you coulda done a lot worse.. I think...
Good luck with your dreams...

[Capt Phil]

The only 'uppity' one here regularly is boatman but he is bearable and has been there and done it. My sympathies for your condition and I wish you well in your treatment.
My advice is not to wait on your dreams... try and live them, even if it is only day to day. You will find that this forum is a great way to meet others with similar interests and even live your dream, although vicariously, through folks that are cruising, want to or have done it, like the boatman who has made some special friends down under.
You can get a feel for the individuals who post here by checking their profiles for experience, background and where they have cruised/lived. This will help you evaluate their opinions, advice, suggestions, etc.
While you deal with your health and family issues, you can count on moral support from the CF family. It is great that you have a devoted partner to help you through such a difficult time... cheers, Phil

[noelex 77]

Welcome Jane and Hamish.

You have certainly had your share of life's problems so by my estimation, you must be due for some good luck.

Australia has a great culture of yacht clubs. They are often looking for race crew. Even with zero experience you will still be welcome initially as ballast (sitting on the rail), especially if you make a commitment to turn up most Saturdays.
You will learn a lot in a very short time.

Good luck and ask away on the forum. That what its for.

[tbodine88]

welcome, good luck, fair winds following seas and lots of love

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

The only 'uppity' one here regularly is boatman but he is bearable and has been there and done it. My sympathies for your condition and I wish you well in your treatment.
My advice is not to wait on your dreams... try and live them, even if it is only day to day. You will find that this forum is a great way to meet others with similar interests and even live your dream, although vicariously, through folks that are cruising, want to or have done it, like the boatman who has made some special friends down under.
You can get a feel for the individuals who post here by checking their profiles for experience, background and where they have cruised/lived. This will help you evaluate their opinions, advice, suggestions, etc.
While you deal with your health and family issues, you can count on moral support from the CF family. It is great that you have a devoted partner to help you through such a difficult time... cheers, Phil

.......
Not just Australia... made some very special friends from around the World through CF... some met... and others yet to meet... they've all been great.
There's also a strong female presence on here... Saucy, Zeehag, Judy, Katiusha and many more.. Mermaid's is a ladies group on here you may find of interest for certain specific's (female related)....