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It has been a few weeks since we started our family fitness challenge, and my mention of letting you in on the fun of reward dinners. So far, we’ve had 3 themed feasts. With 11 participants gathering around our table every 2 weeks, we’ve ditched the concept of a formal dinner in favour of a potluck affair, much like we used to do on the boat: everyone is in charge of a… Read More

What difference 12 months make. May last year saw us making landfall in one of the most remote parts of the world, the Marquesas Islands, after spending over 3 weeks at sea. A time of sheer solitude and peace for us adults, it was lived as a challenge for the kids. Hot and bothered, no friends, seasickness…all Anne could think of was the prospect of her upcoming birthday, for which she begged… Read More

We are well into 2015 and I realise that it is probably too late to wish all of you, readers, a Happy New Year. Too late because the festivities ended nearly 3 weeks ago. Too late because the tragic events in Paris 2 weeks ago sent shock waves around the world and cast dark shadows of sorrow and anger.  Like most people, I have struggled to reconcile my deep concerns over what… Read More

I never used to like November. When I was growing up in France, it meant the gloomy period between October and trees offering their last display of glorious leaves and December, the start of the festive season and the anticipation of Christmas and New Year’s eve celebrations. A bit like a grey, dull and damp waiting room, only endured with the promise of something better to come. Moving to Australia, gradually changed… Read More

April is always an eventful month in our family. We have a few family birthdays, including mine, and it is generally when Easter occurs so we’re busy eating nearly as many chocolates as we do at Christmas! This year was special though. The whole month was spent either preparing the boat in Panama for our Trans-Pacific crossing  or onboard, during the crossing itself: 4000NM or 8000KM of nothing but ocean, for weeks… Read More