Out Of The Mists
You could be forgiven dear reader for thinking that the Gleda Project had gone the way of so many grand ideas, neglected and forgotten lying crushed beneath the relentless pressure of living a conventional life in a supposedly economically advanced country of the Western world, just another pipe dream, ethereal, intangible, without substance. But no, the Gleda Project is not a pipe dream, it’s physical, real, and very much alive. The Gleda project is me, it’s my life and will remain so whilst I have breath in my body.
I could claim that this apparent neglect was all part of the plan, just as I said back in May when I told you that I’d made the hard decision to take a year away from the build to focus on building my business, still part of the project of course but none the less an action that could be considered as the thin end of the wedge that would ultimately lead to the end of my dream. So what has been my reward for these months of apparent inactivity?
Well not what I had hoped for, but looking back I realise now that my aim was off. Financially I’m still living hand to mouth and there have been times when I was just a few days away from being in real difficulties but I’ve scraped through and I’m very optimistic about the next few months and next year in general but as things stand today, from a financial point of view my time away has been wasted.
But there’s more to it than that, these past months have taught me some valuable lessons, they’ve given me space to step back a bit, get to know myself better, to become clearer on the direction I need to go and now I feel ready to get back into the race and really kick on.
If there is anybody out there still paying me an occasional visit I thank you for your patience and I promise that your faith will be rewarded with regular and, I hope, interesting posts from this day forth. I look forward to sharing my onward journey.
Before I go I must pay homage to Beat and Beatriz on the Tiki 38 ‘Aluna’. Beat has been posting beautifully written articles whenever they get access to an internet connection as they cruise around the Polynesian Islands. For me these occasional postings can be likend to glorious bursts of sunshine breaking through the clouds of a dull day. I’ll have more to say about their adventures in later posts but for now I leave you with a passage from his latest offering and strongly encourage you to go and read the rest HERE
Before nightfall we were back on Aluna’s spacious deck staring at yet another blood red sunset. Soon the sparkling stars sprinkled their twinkles across the firmament, staring down at us seafaring earthlings from their trillion and one little lighted homes in the mysterious depths of space. Soothing sweet slumber awaited us under a light bedsheet ruffled slightly by the tropical breeze within the plywood-lined womb of our streamlined ocean-ploughing vessel
Now tell me that doesn’t constitute inspiration.
Never quit starting. You’ll get there.
Thanks Eric, yes I will!
Way to go Neil.
Like you, I allways enjoy reading Beat blog. A great writer.
Pilgrim has been put on the dry for the winter at Port Saint Louis. Found several Wharrams and Wharramites there.
I have some work to do on her: I have not done anything since the crossing and my log shows 5700 miles.
In spring, she will be back on the water, and remember my offer! Marseille is so pretty in may.
Next summer: Corsica and Sardinia. This is planned.
Back to work now.
Thanks Jacques, good luck with the work over WInter, Spring will soon be here and it sounds like you have a fantastic season of sailing to look forward to. No I haven’t forgotten your kind offer, and I look forward to being in a position to accept and experience a little of ‘Pilgrim’ for myself next year.