On The Thumb !
I left France in September 1997 to dedicate myself to several of my passions:
1) Sailing 2) Traveling
3) Photography 4) People and culture
I did not leave just to travel around but I needed to achieve something. I needed a challenge to guide me.
I have no boat of my own but knew already pretty well how to sail. I quickly found out that many people had boats but needed a hand... So there it was. I was going to "hit the sea" "on the thumb"!
My 1st challenge was to reach the Carribbean then South America. It went better than I could have expected so I set myself another challenge: Cape Horn. That was tougher... still I made it too! It then became logical to me that I had to keep going... around to the other side, then to Polynesia... and then logically back to the Atlantic past Cape of Good Hope!
So there I am, hopping from boats to boats, helping here and there and making my way around the globe!!
It is definitely a challenge as the season and time don't always play in my favor... Sometimes I come off a boat in a place where... there are no other boats... or not heading where I plan to sail on... or the season is just finished to allow any boat to go anywhere!!
Atlantic - May 1998
I've tried to give at the same time an idea of my qualifications as what I'm looking for.
More than a carreer type of position, I seek a (reasonably) good boat with good people who enjoy sailing, traveling and discovering new places. It is not about beating any record or making lots of money, it is about...
a life style, a "dream-come-true"... maybe a bit of a come back to a life that gives more space to nature and revives our direct link to it. A come back to a time where we could understand and read more from the elements surrounding us.
Also a trip to learn from the others!
Of course, there are always unexpected mishaps, hard times.... and I surely don't mind hard work.
Sailing has become my profession because I love all its aspects and the continuous challenge: the thrill & the calm, the tough & the simple, the technical & the basic; in short: the absence of routine!
The experience I gained along the way helps me to be able to manage or apprehend most (not to say all) situations.
And if it's my profession it means I earn my living through it... but money is not the main issue.
Most important is that I am in no hurry and don't want to stress.: I will do deliveries only if I don't find something else!
I'd be very sad to sail past attractive places, hurry into a harbor and leave without having felt nor seen a bit of the local thrill... There is only one life... and I'd like to make the most out of it!
I have no intention of finishing my circumnavigation just to say "I've done it".
There's so much more to it, isn't it?
+ 70 000 Nautical Miles
+ 100 different boats
11 years is a long time but in order to find the proper season, the proper spot to search for boats and the proper boats to embark for a long journey, it does take time... and patience.
My intention in this trip is also not only to sail around the globe but also to visit new countries and regions, learn about the people I encounter, their culture & spirit and if possible try to learn their language!
I very much enjoy spending time everywhere I stop. This also explains my slow circumnavigation and the jobs I have chosen to take.
I have learned to adapt to different ways and different people.
My passion for boats and sailing is now even greater, as well as my determination to sail on!
Here on the left side are some links to a different pages explaining what I've done so far, before I left France (Educational Background) and since I've left (Sailing Experience).
