This post is inspired by the story of Salvador Alvarenga, a man who the world once labelled a scammer, but whose story will undoubtedly save lives in two quite different ways.

500 days ago today we took over the boat we now call home. So much water has gone under the bridge deck, it seems like that was an awfully long time ago. We have learned and grown and changed a great deal in this time. More, I expect, than we realise. Friends & family used to ask What will you do in two years when it is time to move on?; We would answer that in two years, when its time to move on, we dont know who we will be!

438 Days is the name of the book I read (cover-to-cover) this morning. I remember when the story broke in the news of a man showing up in the Marshall Islands having had drifted in a small fishing boat all the way from Mexico. At the time, I joined the chorus of sceptics, but the book gives the true account and now sits atop my list of highly recommended! This book is entertaining and inspirational, but also reveals lessons for sailors and non-sailors alike.

283 days since we arrived on the shores of New Zealand, complaining about the cold, but glad to be home, if even for a visit. We never really thought of NZ as being cold, but when you have acclimatised to the tropics and you sail into the NZ winter, you discover that in actuality, The Winterless North, isnt!

27 days since we arrived in New Caledonia. Wow, one third of our time has gone already! Those 90 days will be gone in a flash. We are glad we are taking the time to record our memories in words and photos. Far too soon that is all we will have.

13 days until our next guests arrive and we get to give a taste of our life to our friends. Real life aboard is so much more than the glorious snippets we get to post online. Our first guests have departed last night (Au revoir Mum & Dad!) and got to experience the broader spectrum which includes wet dinghy rides and sun soaked paddle boarding, fast downwind sailing and bumpy upwind beating, calm bays and rolly anchorages, isolated tropical islands and busy bays, fast sharks and slow turtles, gourmet meals and unsettled stomachs (unrelated, I promise!), and of course a sneak peek into the world of boat maintenance. If youre not doing it, its doing you!

1 day until we return to Noumea to resupply and prepare for our journey south toward Ile Des Pins. We will take our time and explore Canal Woodin and Baie Du Prony on the way.

Here is to you Alvarenga. If we may be so bold as to call ourselves fellow seaman, we raise our glasses and thank you for your endurance and willingness to share your story.
May we never have the misfortune to be cast adrift at sea, or to consider suicide as an answer to our ails. Yet, if our vessel or hope is to ever fail us, may your faith and words be ours to carry us through.