THE DREAMERS:
Cheryl and Griff Thomas
THE DREAM:
To circumnavigate the world by sailboat
To circumnavigate the world by sailboat
THE PROCESS:
In October 2005, Griff's daughter Julie commented that she, her husband Graham and their children Alex and Amelia were going to sail around the world starting in the fall of 2007. Griff said they could count us in and at that point the dream was born. Sailing lessons were started and a lot of time was spent researching boats and what would be required for such an undertaking. In April 2007, the dream was slightly altered when Julie and Graham decided they wanted to do the trip with their own boat. Too late!! By then we were hooked and decided to build our own dream and set out on an adventure of our own.
In October 2005, Griff's daughter Julie commented that she, her husband Graham and their children Alex and Amelia were going to sail around the world starting in the fall of 2007. Griff said they could count us in and at that point the dream was born. Sailing lessons were started and a lot of time was spent researching boats and what would be required for such an undertaking. In April 2007, the dream was slightly altered when Julie and Graham decided they wanted to do the trip with their own boat. Too late!! By then we were hooked and decided to build our own dream and set out on an adventure of our own.
After many hours of internet searching by Griff for yacht sales, we decided to fly to the British Virgin Islands a week after our wedding on July 7, 2007.
Working with Clive Allen of BVI Yacht Sales we considered a number of boats and finally decided to purchase the Lily Mae, a 49ft. cutter rigged Ta Chiao, from Charlyn and Simon Anderson.
The month of August was spent sailing around Vancouver Island aboard Turicum, Warren Hale's 44ft. racing yacht, learning as much as we could about offshore sailing, navigation, spinnakers and such. Still lots to learn. While we were sailing, Lily Mae was put up on the hard in Nanny Cay, BVI to have the work done that we had agreed was part of the purchase.
We decided to change the name of our boat to Mystic Journey in keeping with what we both feel our life has been about since we met. After the usual government glitches, the legal name change was approved officially in September while we were honeymooning in Greece.
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Griff decided that since our boat was being refurbished and having parts replaced maybe he should do the same. On Halloween he had a total right knee replacement done and is now recuperating. The last step in this chapter is to pack up our home and put everything in storage; turn our home and dog over to our renters Jason and Lori Cousins and their children on January 15th; visit our children; and then leave for the British Virgin Islands on January 20th.
5 comments:
Hey, the blog looks fantastic! It's a great start, now I expect regular updates here...
Don't let it get stale.
I'm really sad you are going to be gone soon. I can't believe January!!
jason
Yeah, I expect at least one update a week :>
Griff and Cheryl,
Firstly, it was a pleasure to have met both of you, to have had the oppertunity to deal with you and been able to assist in the realization of one of your dreams.
Yor web-site and blog idea is great and i for sure will be a follower.
I look forward to meeting you once again along with being priveledge to be able to see the start of this wonderful adventure.
All the best and see you both soon.
Clive.
Just wanted to let you know that Allison and I are sitting here looking at all of your wonderful pics and great plans, and we wanted to let you know that we are wishing you the very best.... Glad we were there in the beginning to see you blossom together!!!
Congratulations on everything!!
Robin Devine and Allison Trent
Hey guys this looks great! It makes our next holiday seem a little closer, a much needed vision to get through another southern Alberta winter! We will be joining some friends in the Carribean, Martinique to be exact about mid April. Imagine that - they have a sailboat called the Mystic Journey
!! We are going to miss you guys!
Aleitha and Randy
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