To stop cruising

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Taking a sabatical

Our life in the UK was really good. We lived in a leafy Surrey suburb, with an active local church, a farmers market, links to London, lots of social activities, and we had jobs we enjoyed. But after two decades of work we felt the need for a sabbatical. Our dream was to explore, and to sail. So we quit our jobs, bought a boat and set off for a life of world cruising. 

What happened

We knew we could travel for two years, but had no fixed destination, this was the extent of the plan. It turned out that we loved the lifestyle, and our 2 year sabbatical turned into 4. Every day on the water is different, and we accumulated many stories. 

The Pandemic

Ultimately we found ourselves in New Zealand, and were thrilled and relieved to arrive here. We were two years in and it felt like the end of our journey. We had seen more than we dreamed of, we made it across the Atlantic, and Pacific, sailing over 20,000 nautical miles, and visiting 17 countries. Sailing into Opua Bay of Islands just as a morning fog lifted to reveal green hills felt just like coming home. So what happened? Well, this was November 2019, two months later Covid happened. 

Now we have nothing to complain about. By shear luck we were in New Zealand - a world class cruising destination. We are on our own boat, and enjoying ourselves. World travel might have stalled, but our plan was now to make the most of what we had.

We continued to cruise up and down the coast, visiting over 200 anchorages in our first year. You would think we've seen every anchorage in Northland - but to present day we continue to find new things to see and do, charted or uncharted anchorages, unexplored trails, seals, dolphins, even orca pop up from time to time. 

What's changed

I accepted a role as a Process Automation Developer with a New Zealand tech company.

Cruising and working don't mix. However, the pandemic has reshaped how many roles function.  

While we finished cruising, that doesn't mean we are giving up the boat. We have found a berth in Whangarei and will continue to be liveaboards. The shift to remote work means that I can take this role and still hold onto Wilderness. 



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