Writer: Anki Palerby Hjelmqwist
So it had finally come; the day of departure! And after all the goodbyes, surely the tears should have stopped when all the farewells were complete? But no!
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareAt sunrise, while I was drinking a coffee on the balcony of the guest apartment overlooking Lake Mälaren, a beautiful message came from the lovely sister-in-law with a wonderful greeting and a beautiful poem by Karin Boye - and then crying moment number one was a fact ... ❤
In the bright morning sun we waited for the taxi that would take us to the airport and the melancholy there and then was so strong that new tears had to be dried. Likewise at the airport, several times. There we also met my old friend and former neighbour Stefan and all he had to do was ask how we felt and new tears came.
Once we arrived in Alicante, we were picked up by the mariner Andrés who drove us the hour or so to Cartagena. We had been here so many times that it felt like coming home to our waiting sailboat Grodan, and now it was four months since we last saw each other. But then it was holiday sailing, this time we actually moved on board permanently!
The cockpit was scrubbed and hosed down before we went over to our lovely British boat neighbours Chrissy and Paul and surprised them. It was a fond reunion where the recent fates and adventures were discussed over a beer in the cockpit of their boat Crazy Ivan. We also saw our cute Swedish boat neighbour Thomas again and chatted with him.
During our walk to the shop for supplies, we stopped at a restaurant for some food. The only fly in the ointment this evening was the surprise of flour beetles on board, which we only discovered when we came home from the shop with new groceries.
Slowly, we started to land on board. It was messy and there was a lot of work to do, both inside and out. Everything from trying to exterminate those pesky flour beetles (who had been having a party on board thanks to a forgotten crispbread packet), to unpacking far too many clothes - and trying to stow them in places that don't exist.
Water tanks were rinsed and filled, batteries plugged in, bags given away and Sahara sand scrubbed off tyres. At the same time, we needed to get used to the heat (around thirty degrees in the daytime) AND remember to drink water in quantities. I almost fainted during my powerwalk one morning when I went out first thing in the morning, without topping up with water first...
We went shopping two nights in a row when it was a bit cooler. Every time I've been home for a while I've forgotten how cheap some things are in Spain, like fresh langoustines for 10 euros a kilo and my favourite wine that only cost 25 crowns a bottle.
Of course, the best part was hanging out with friends Krissy and Paul again and visiting our favourite Indian restaurant Maharani, run by the wonderful Deli! It is a place we constantly return to and which you "who sailed with us before" surely recognise.
Ten days later, we were in good enough shape to cast off and head east. Via coastal jumps on the Spanish Sunshine Coast, the Balearic Islands and then Sardinia, we would sail to Marina di Ragusa in southern Sicily - our planned winter harbour - and now the adventure and our new everyday life were really underway!
The best thing about sailing
For me, it is about a combination of
THE ADVENTURE! I never know exactly what will happen. Something as simple as a weather report being wrong can have major consequences on board a boat.
RESANDET! I have always loved travelling. Going to new places, meeting new people and getting to know new environments - and STILL having my home with me - is unbeatable!
THE DISCOVERY! Looking around on land is a big part of sailing too! Visiting important sites for the area and culture we are currently in is a must.
MEETINGS! Wherever I go, I meet amazing new people. Some of them I carry with me long after the trip and maybe they even become friends for life.
ACTIVITIES! It's fast and furious, literally. Sometimes it gets the adrenaline pumping. On board we are in the middle of nature and sometimes we can't escape a thunderstorm, or rain and wind. It's powerful!
THE SEA! Spending time on or near water allows you to constantly replenish your energy, calm and harmony. It's great to feel the power of waves and wind and to be able to balance them and the way they move.
HERE AND NOW! There is no way of holidaying that brings me more quickly to the 'here and now', where days of the week, dates and time become totally irrelevant after just a few days.
SIMPLICITY! Not everything we need is on board, but rather what we can't do without. Minimalist living in a small space is often simple, comfortable and cosy.
ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS! Sailing has to be the ultimate way to travel if you think from an environmental perspective. In times of corona, it has felt great that the distance to others is kept automatically when we sail.
THE DECAPITATIONS! At the end of the day, when the boat is well moored and the life jacket is removed, we can fully relax and enjoy the ultimate relaxation! There's nothing better than lying down for a while (preferably in the sun) in the cockpit after an eventful sail.
Follow Anki here:
Anki Palerby Hjelmqwist
You might also like:
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Netti Starby says:
Oh how lovely and what a dream to live like that permanently. Hugs <3
15 April 2025 - 6:10
Ditte says:
Great to follow along. Have sailed some in younger days but then mostly in the Nordic countries, but well rented a boat in Greece and Croatia and it has been fantastic. Happy to hang out further.
15 April 2025 - 11:10
BP says:
Härligt att åka snålskjuts med er i Medelhavet. Underbart att kunna förverkliga en dröm man har och gå all in. Börja ett nytt liv helt enkelt, där varje dag är annorlunda och definitivt inte bjuder på samma rutiner varje dag.
15 April 2025 - 20:20
Eval8 says:
Det låter riktigt mysigt, själv tror jag att jag skulle bli väldigt sjösjuk. Men jag älskar verkligen havet!
God kväll!
15 April 2025 - 21:10