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cliffdykes · 23-11-2009, 03:44

Hi there,
Thought I'd better say hello before I incur the wrath of the forum Taliban by making posts prior to announcing myself!
Spent 20 years in the British Navy - yes, embarrassing I know - we're the ones who stand by and let innocent yachties get kidnapped by Somali pirates. Didn't happen in my day etc etc.
Been doing a few things since but, having got increasingly disenchanted with life in UK, we sold up and sailed round the Caribbean from 2004 -2006. Boat of choice (well, not my choice - the usual story) was a Lagoon 410. Probably the ugliest boat ever, but functional. We then had to come back as my wife's mother was becoming increasingly infirm. She passed away 6 months after we returned, so my wife got to spend some quality time with her before the end.
Now trying to persuade my other half that we should go back and do it again. To be honest, she never really took to the sailing life. I remember creaming up the West coast of Antigua towards Jolly Harbour doing 10 knots on a broad reach and her telling me to slow down because we were going too fast (Huh??).
Anyway, I keep chipping away but there'll come a time when it'll either be both of us back cruising or maybe just me - time will tell.
Been following the forum for 5 years or so now - always a great source of knowledge and humour (yep - the British spelling!). I may be able to contribute from time to time but, being a Yorkshireman, tend to follow the policy of only chipping in when I've got something useful to say. Not of course that I'm saying this isn't always the case with all forum members

Cheers
Cliff

s/v Moondancer · 23-11-2009, 03:46

Welcome from a Yorkshireman who is cruising the Caribbean.

MarkJ · 23-11-2009, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdykes

, tend to follow the policy of only chipping in when I've got something useful to say. ...Cheers
Cliff

Thats never been a policy of mine. Mine is to be happy and have fun.
BTW if your wife doesn't want to go sailing seriously consider the serious bit of your "maybe just me" policy.

We have met lots of sad blokes whose extra anchor isn't a Rocna. You might still have life left cruising by yourself! My partner loves sailing! But then she also knows the alternative: I cruise while she goes back to work

Welcome

Mark

**Hud3** · 23-11-2009, 04:23

Hello, Cliff. I'd say welcome, but you've been around here longer than I have. Must have cost you a bit of your tongue to stay silent so long!

A good friend of mine grew up in Yorkshire, sailing the North Sea. Must be a pretty good place to learn the ropes--he's a great sailor. Coincidentally, my wife and I were sailing up and down the Lesser Antilles in when you were, in 2004-06, so we may have shared some anchorages with you. Hope you can fire up your wife's enthusiasm to do it again.

82 * F and sunny here!

cliffdykes · 23-11-2009, 04:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

BTW if your wife doesn't want to go sailing seriously consider the serious bit of your "maybe just me" policy.

Don't worry - I have!
And then there's the fact I'd only have half the money to spend on my next boat

Cheers
Cliff

cliffdykes · 23-11-2009, 04:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hud3

Coincidentally, my wife and I were sailing up and down the Lesser Antilles in when you were, in 2004-06, so we may have shared some anchorages with you. Hope you can fire up your wife's enthusiasm to do it again.

82 * F and sunny here!

I'm sure we saw you somewhere Hud3; possibly Anse de Colombier in St Barts or around the south coast of Grenada? We had the Lagoon 410 with the palm tree on the forward end of the hulls - until I took 'em off when we hauled in 2005.

82* F; yeah - don't rub it in

Cheers
Cliff