"Maverick too" in Falmouth
It is amazing how much the meaning of distance shifts with the many miles sailed. I still remember well when we were lying here in England almost exactly two years ago and waiting for a weather window for the Bay of Biscay. Nervous about what the big crossing (400 miles …) will have for us. Well, the time of year was a different one too … It was the end of October, and Biskay is not known to be very gracious. So we stocked up, refueled, pre-cooked and put snacks ready for the four days at sea. Preparation after preparation.
Now, two years later, we are back here in the county of Devon in the south of England, with the very last 550-mile stage ahead of us. Do we have enough food on board? Why, surely. Our Schapps are not and will not be empty. We'll probably still be eating American canned soups a month after the trip. Drinking water? Several more six-packs from the Azores and juices from the USA. Diesel? Yesterday I poured all the canisters together, now the main tank is full again. So we can start. The last major stage, over to Germany. Back home.
The end of the journey is imminent. Actually a sad moment. After all, for almost ten years (since my first long voyage) I dreamed of breaking out of civilized life again. Sail, discover, experience. Just the two of us, just for us. The journey of our life. For two and a half years we built the boat alone, refurbished it and brought the old GRP classic up to today's standard, so that we only have to be on the road for two years.
As long as planned, but much shorter than secretly hoped. Back in England, it feels like we've only been on summer vacation, almost nothing has changed. Well, apart from Brexit and Co. The first greeting in Europ came in the form of a command from the "Border Patrol", which basically checks yachts coming from the Azores before England, because they could be smugglers. When we take the first step ashore the next morning, England seems very familiar to us. We know the supermarkets, the currency and the people.
Fish and Chips: In England everything is the same …
Since the Azores, blog readers have been knocking on deck more and more often and are happy to meet us here. Lots of German flags. home is close. Other long-distance sailors also knock, mostly Dutch and Swedes. "Well, you look like you're about to go on a long journey." - "Nah, we're just coming back." On the second day in Falmouth a big Contest 42 CS suddenly lies next to us, a brand new ship.
A nice Dutch woman climbs overboard, sees our Contest 33 and explains to us that her grandfather is the shipyard owner and built our ship. "Ah, 'Maverick', of course!", She remembers, "I read that in the YACHT." Even so, she is visibly impressed with how many miles we have in the wake of the boat. Compared to the new, wide and high 42, our boat looks like a dinghy.
Even if my homeland doesn't seem to have changed much in the past two years, a lot has happened to us in that time. Not only that there are now almost 15,000 nautical miles in the wake, but also many experiences. Sailing (the 55-knot storm on the way to the Azores will be etched into our memories forever …) and with the many people we met along the way. We have sniffed and participated in so many lives.
The two of us have become a great team. On board and in life. Didn't we get a fix on the five square meters? Certainly. But I can't remember any such experience. Everything fades and has been overwritten by beautiful experiences.
Sunset at the mooring in Fowey
The ship has been working well since the second half of the voyage. All teething problems are eliminated. The ship was optimized, the engine replaced as the last regular source of error and there has been nothing to repair for thousands of miles. I think we were the only boat in the port in the Azores where there was nothing to do, refuel, take advantage of, and continue on. The last 1200 miles from PontDelgad to Falmouth were so uneventful that we only took six photos. The wind control system controls, we go watch and read (a 600-page book every two days).
But now the last longer stage is imminent - and it feels like it's much too early to stop. Still, we've been on our way home for 4,500 miles. The time that we have shoveled free for our journey is slowly running out. Likewise the deal of being able to earn new money for the travel budget every month.
Still, we're a little looking forward to returning home - especially seeing the family again after such a long time. At German prices in marinas (here in England just 40 euros / night) and supermarkets. And the Oste, the river on which we live.
In the past few days we have often been asked how we will continue afterwards. A question that has accompanied us like no other over the past eight months.
Because we know: it is difficult to get away once. But settling in again and then getting off again is even harder. Just like it was the case with me after my first long drive in 2005/06. Therefore, after returning home, we want to try to keep some of the ease with which we have sailed around the area for the past 678 days: not taking life so seriously. A regular job and income are important. But a career is not as important to us as the chance to be able to live your own dreams again at some point when longing beckons.
Back to the Bahamas, where the pigs swim. Longing beckons …
That's why we don't really want to anchor ourselves in Germany yet, but rather begin our next adventure in November: we're moving to the Bahamas!
More than half a year ago, the great opportunity arose to start a charter business on Nassau with a friend's catamaran. Because the lonely islands of the Exuma-Cays were by far the best we liked on our trip - and are only 25 miles from our base in Nassau. Until then, there are still a few tasks ahead of us. That's why it won't be boring in Germany. A lot of paperwork has to be dealt with, the ship has to be accepted for charter operations - and I even have to get a sailing license so that I can sail around the area with guests! It'll be fun for sure. Similar to having to get a driver's license after 15 years on the road … But we are very much looking forward to the years ahead, in which we will regularly have guests from Germany on board the "Maverick XL" to our most beautiful islands in the Exuma cays will be taking. The islands where adventure is omnipresent. Another reason why the anticipation of our new adventure outweighs the farewell to the old one.
Cati Trapp on the foredeck of the "Maverick XL", a Belize 43
When asked, "What happens to Maverick now?" we don't yet know the right answer. First the ship will be winterized, and then we'll see. We can't split up at the moment. It's the perfect size for us, it's in great shape and a good sailor. And we can well imagine sailing back to the Danish South Seas by boat in the summer months (when it is too hot to sail in the Bahamas and there is hurricane season). But that will all show.
Return to Germany
At the 6th of August However, the arrival in Oberndorf is now planned for the first time. We have already received many emails that blog readers would like to take the leash when we moor. We'll probably be on Saturday around 3 p.m. Moor at the village jetty or at the pier of our sailing club, the Oberndorf sailing community. Here is the exact address:
And we are thrilled to see everyone who comes by to greet us that day! There will certainly be an opportunity for a few talks and a tour on board. And we look forward to meeting and getting to know many of the readers there!
Further information about the trip: www.zu-zweit-auf-see.de
