A family of six. Simon, Amandine and our four children Tama, Luca, Naomi and Lee, aged 13, 11, 9 and 3 at the time we fly away from home. Until the end of 2020, we were living comfortably on the rural outskirts of Tauranga, a sunny little town of the North Island of New Zealand. Our home was a beautiful hideaway in the hills with endless views over the Kaimai ranges. Our life situation reflected everything we had wished for and beyond, if only we could slow down to enjoy it.
In 2018, each of us had been so busy with work, studies, sports, parenthood and everyday stuff over the years, Simon and I started to feel out of sync with each other and disconnected from what our children’s life experiences. We realised the importance of making a bold move so we could spend quality time all together before the opportunity disappeared.
2019 was a dark year that reminded us at every turn why we must live our lives now, not overly plan for the future. Since we both love sailing and worked together on yachts before we had children, what better way but to lead a family expedition.. The global events of 2020 starting with the many weeks of quarantine between March and May and closely followed by unemployment, precipitated us into action.
Between July and December 2020, we sold up, quit jobs, school, sports and many projects on the go, farewelled hundreds and flew to Spain for a first encounter with the boat of our dreams. In June 2021, following a six months refit in the little Spanish fishing of Sant Carles de la Rapità, Dragonfly was finally equipped and ready to set off for an initial summer season in the western Mediterranean. The beginning of a two or three year journey back to New Zealand, exploring the world from the sea.. or for as long as we can sustain it. Time to get creative so we can make this last!
You must be logged in to post a comment.