Noel & Jackie in Portugal (top). Down-wind sailing on Mariah – this brings tears of joyful memories…

Mariah II & us in the Caribbean.

Mariah on the hard

Her lovely bottom! Canoe stern.

Aries windvane connected to auto-helm, this worked a treat.

Our galley – where the bread making tuition took place – while Noel was with Aqualung!

Mariah was small (33ft) but very roomy and comfortable.

I’m on deck, starting to get to grips with this life.

Faithful Yanmar, which we installed in Brisbane.

Sensible 9-5 life or this?

“Look at all this space”, I thought. We soon filled it up!

I found “house-work” to be a little different…

and ‘doing the laundry’ a new challenge.

Maintenance is new to me in more ways than one!

My horse riding days gave me great balance in the dinghy

A full time job – but I loved it!

An important job that I claimed for my own.

Our v-birth which I enjoyed painting.

Noel had the patience to teach me.

This is Noel stealing my idea for removing the water from the paint…. it is unusual and you have to read the book to find out why new cruising folk sometimes come up with the best ideas!

The storm – you HAD to just get on with it!

It’s hard to capture the height of waves on camera – they were like ‘walls of water’.

Getting water was an adventure.

Sometimes getting food was an adventure!

We made it to Bali! Where the fun didn’t stop on anchor.

Temples I’d only seen in books.

As I became more confident I became a Net Controller

Sample of Net Controller’s job.

I held his hand! “We were becoming trusting fools!”

Noel’s buddy! You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next.

You can see why our encounter with King was scary!

Cheeky face and Michael (Noel’s other mate!)

Every year we hauled out and I had become in-charge of looking after Mariah’s underwater bottom. Anti-foul is not pleasant paint, so protective gear is important.

Not quite the sunset at Jimmy’s (Langkawi) but we witnessed some spectacular colours

Work continues, but we made time for sight-seeing – the tea plantation.

Thailand

Sri Lanka

Snake Charmer

Wind and wave weatherfax

Synoptic Chart from weatherfax

The flying-fish experience!

I was now adept at Radio use – remember to always replace the mic carefully….after what happened to us in Oman!

Playful kids in the Maldives

A sense of achievement for us – even though Noel was ‘in the pooh’ a little! 😉

The first thing we did on arrival is play “it” – loved these kids!

Eritrea life – the coffee ceremony was the highlight though.

… and so it went on ….

Gray days and bumpy seas

On watch we always wear our harnesses

While checking into Egypt, an oil slick ‘checked-in’ to our hull!

Having fun at the Pyramids – we laughed all day (except when the Camel Handler had an argument with a camel) and I forgot those “Medusa Woman” moments of when the Red Sea Pilots were nagging us!

I started to have some of my sailing articles published! A perfect office with plenty of material!

Noel and I took it in turns with all the jobs on board. Noel took his camera up the mast – you can just see me on deck.

I started thinking more of our photos, I love the contrasts of this picture – the practical, the beautiful and the handsome!

Mariah trucked to Hertfordshire and my parents’ garden.

Mariah under a glorious Oak tree and my dad helping control our mast, which was on its way to its ‘perfect’ storage space.

Renovating our house in Staffordshire – again! – the ‘bright’ paint was on the ceiling too – the tenants trying to hide the fire damage! (Dad and Noel)

Our house in Staffordshire with the rental sign on it – a great house!

Time to earn some money! Noel went a bit loopy working in Yorkshire in the middle of winter!

Agadir – exhausted but happy.

In Agadir they don’t use much rust converter!

Happy to be in a safe port with ‘some-weather’ coming!

Checking in to the Verdes (we checked in and out at the same time) – Den from Frodo on our left.

Not much growing in the Verdes.

Den (from Frodo) and Noel discuss the next leg – crossing the Atlantic! Notice the containers of water we will be ferrying back to Mariah.

Sao Vicente

A cool beer with cool company – Den, Noel and me on Frodo – ‘Tash is taking the picture. Discussing the up and coming Atlantic crossing.

The Atlantic crossing. Vivid sunsets.

Squalls

Weather warnings?

Dinner anyone?

Frodo had just arrived into Barbados the day after us. Crossing the Atlantic celebrations!

Gifts from my mum!

‘Tash took me diving. Den and ‘Tash become incredible friends.

What a life! ‘Tash and I have fun diving.

Noel and Den working in the brothel!

View from the dinghy-building-brothel-workshed.

“Are you gonna fiba-glass dat ting, mon?’

It’s taking shape.

Just add water!

Painting party!

Each day Den would pick Noel up from Mariah, at lunchtime I would swim to shore with sandwiches and drinks. I never got stuck in rush-hour traffic! 😉

After a days work – a cool beer.

Friendly on the surface, but “all they wanna do is….”

Hmmmmmm

PJ II is finally finished.

We couldn’t have got the dinghy together without the help of Den and ‘Tash.

The gorgeous ‘Tash and their colourful dinghy cover!

A celebratory dinner – PJII is complete, and celebrating life!

Enroute to the Bahamas, sighting dolphins always gave us great joy and meant it would be a good trip

Picking our way through reefs to the anchorage in Mayaguana

A quick trip ashore at Mayaguana – nice to be on land!

Arriving into America.

Nearly sunk the boat in the early hours! I am not happy and the sweet, sticky cans of drinks opened up and shot everywhere!

The IntraCoastal Waterway (first part of The Great Loop)

The Dismal Swamp (not very dismal, but very large – bitey – flies!)

Lumber Baron houses on the east coast.

Ever changing vistas

A safe anchorage in an approaching storm – on the east coast

We puttered off the main channel to find incredibly protected anchor sites – rafted with Frodo

Special times! Mariah and Frodo

The gang and the ‘thoughtfully installed water pump’ after walking through the mud we could sun-dry for ballast!

The mast can stay up on the east coast ICW, as the bridges open for us.

‘Tash on Frodo – catching us up

We sailed many miles along the channels in company of Den and ‘Tash on Frodo.

A few bugs hung around some-days.

Then the mast comes down as we turn west to go further inland.

Enormous locks and creaking chambers!

Lengthy lines a must

After we’d found something to tie to (other than each other) – the locks were easy

Chicago – the best way to see it, via boat.

The Big Shoot – Mariah with us both on board

The Lift Lock in Canada

Approaching the Lift Lock

Dwarfed by enormous barges – we just snuck into this gap before the barge (two in the middle) came down the narrow channel!

Enormous tugs pushing many barges.

The deft handling from the skippers was really something!

Awaiting on anchor for one lock we got caught up with a rather large tree.

PJII becoming a bit unruly in the great lakes – well he was born in a brothel!

PJII was a faithful servant (except when he ‘escaped’), I did a fair bit of sounding as the depths were not marked off the channel.

Fabulous anchor sites,all to ourselves!

Stunning surroundings

We promised to come back and spend more time in Canada’s part of The Great Loop – it’s still on our bucket list.

Just beautiful

We tried to make a claim in Canada….

Fabulous!

Such fun, relaxing times

Weather watching was still important

The Tenn-Tom

En route to Cuba

Near Cuba

Safely moored in Cuba

The bank at Cuba!

Relaxed and happy and safe in Cuba – enjoying our home

The sights of Cuba

A Cuban Pharmacy – so interesting!

Of course – the cars!

The fresh food markets – where bags of vegetables are purchased for pennies!

Cuban book store

Noel waited in a cafe for a pizza…..

…. he waited a bit too long! (The pizza was diabolical and after waiting over an hour he didn’t eat it!)

Stuck at Cuba waiting for the wind to abate – meanwhile in Caymans . . . . .

Southern Cuba – after the big-seas – washing salt off our bed.

Noel lovingly washed the beer that got covered in salt spray

We collected my dad at the Caymans and promptly went shopping!

Dad was great crew!

San Blas Islands

Old Smiley – a lovely encounter

Old Smiley’s daughter – mesmorised by her gift.

Locals selling Molas

San Blas islands are magnificent

Stepping ashore on one of the un-inhabited islands

A great opportunity for my dad to experience a part of our nomadic lives!

San Blas abode

Dad having fun with the locals

En route to Panama, dad was a real pleasure to have on board – having another crew member on board had other ‘odd’ rewards…. it’s all in the book!

Checking in for the canal took three days!

Hiring a taxi driver was the way to go when sorting through the Canal paperwork

Noel smoked in those days, he’d just purchased some black-market cigarettes and suddenly a load of police were around him – fortunately, not for him – but he was a trifle worried for a moment!

The dinghy dock payment each day was good fun too!

The desperate streets of Colon, we made sure the taxi door was locked!

We ‘locked through’ on board Theta first (with our New Zealand friends Barry and Judy) – great practice and a fun time with lovely people.

Mid canal crossing (on board Theta) we all took advantage of the fresh water lake!

I’m in the dinghy, loading up with rubber tyres to use as fenders on Mariah. I was the smallest, so I got the job of ferrying them to the boat!

Our team – (l to r) – Dad, Noel and Col. Michael – the additional crew joined us too).

Watch for the Monkey’s Fist! – while locking through.

A few laughs were had, the first day is a long day!

Dad at the ready.

Locking through on Mariah – the fresh water lakes were out of bounds – the man with the gun said so – it was ‘very dangrous’ – read the book to find out why we all shuddered!

The team worked hard – an incredible experience for us all!

Back in the Pacific – a tired but elated team – all proud and over-flowing with amazing memories – a very special time in our lives!

Galapagos Island

This was the most extraordinary experience of my life – read the book to find out what happened next!

Post Office Island in Galapagos, we were one of the lucky few who got to see the Island and partake in part of the ‘long-gone whalers, way of mailing letters’

During the trek at Nuku Hiva to the 3rd largest waterfall in the world

Even in paradise (Fatu Hiva) the washing has to be done

Local girls at the Bay of Virgins help us collect water in exchange for jelly beans

Nuku Hiva fresh market at 4am

Daniels’ Bay walk – with our tour guide – the dog!

Daniel’s Bay

Marquesas, landfall after 21 days!

Noel and Alim (from My Chance) – great buddies!

Ahe was a delight

At Ahe, the children are safe and capture our hearts

Moorea and friendly sea-life

The anchor winch packed-up in Tahiti – a frustrating time!

That incredible ‘whale’ episode! I still find it hard to believe what happened!

South Tahiti, a lovely anchorage and a dinghy outboard that needed repair!

Mel comes to visit – Noel is helped by his daughter Mel after another snorkel dive

Noel enjoys a peaceful moment on the bow

Jackie, Kian (from My Chance), Judy (from Theta) and Elyse (from Iron Mistress) – lovely ladies! At Moorea.

Rob (Iron Mistress), Noel and Barry (Theta) fight over blankey!

Mel looks at all the pearls on offer. Alim had some lovely pearls which he shared with the ladies!

Noel and Mel snorkeling

Our picnic destination! Near Tahiti

Laundry still needed to be done – even in Tahiti

Noel and Mel

Sights around Tahiti

More lovely cruising ladies – Kian (My Chance), Ann (Novia), Nana (Adverse Conditions) and Jackie

A heavenly place

Checking in to Aitutaki

Great Galloping fun at Atitutaki!

Rescuing dinghies – lead to amazing rewards!

One of the wonderful dancers at Atitutaki

Mr President!

The dinghy park at Nuie

Hauling up the dinghy!

Stunning anchorages!

Noel, controlling the dinghy, while I haul.

Nuie was one of our favourite destinations

Cave diving – Nuie – where the water was so clear, you couldn’t see it!

Back home!

Visiting Iluka, where Colin and Brenda lived (Noel’s brother in law and wife). Who had helped us so much at the start.

We made new friends, Clive and Andrea on board Rainbird, came over to dinner on Mariah…. a lovely new relationship.

On anchor at Moruya NSW, where we studied to become Master 5 qualified (skipper of vessels up to 24 metres) – before coming maritime teachers ourselves.

Mariah at Greenwell Point, our mooring and home

Sad day when we sold Mariah – during survey when the surveyor thought she was ‘a fantastic boat!’

We became rescue skippers and got involved in all sorts of training

Practical exercises on police boats, while training others

We worked in Papua New Guinea as skippers

I used everything I’d learned on Mariah and studying, while skippering ships in PNG

It took a while for the all male (local) crew to accept a woman (and a foreign one at that!) on board – but I got there!

Navigating through here with out of date charts was something that was no longer daunting

Noel did his fair share of rescues too and training

I learned an incredible amount and I am still learning . . .