Hi guys, The summer is here at last and I get to indulge one of my great passions in sobriety, sailing. Probably cruising is the more accurate term. All depending on God"s will and the weather, I will be sailing north to the Marlborough Sounds on Monday. Joining me as crew will be my daughter Georgia, her boy friend Jacob (we'll soon find out what he's made of) and her school friend Harriot. It takes about 30 hours on the open sea to get to the sounds up the spectacular Kaikoura coast and with luck we will see some dolphins. seals, penguins and maybe even a whale or two. We''ll spend a couple of days doing maintenance in Picton as our usual facilities here are out of action due to the quakes, then it's a couple of weeks cruising Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. Around the 20th I will report back in at the shop to do the end of month paper work, then I'll have a few days with my lovely partner Jane, probably just chilling in the marina. When she goes back to work my nephew Braden (13), just about the keenest outdoors man I ever met will join me to sail the boat around to Havelock where I hope to meet up with a couple of AA buddies who will stay with us for a few days. Jane will join for New Year, and then Braden and I will make our way to Wellington in time for the next weekend when Jane will fly up and join me. Jane has a job and is duty manager over the holidays so can only join us on weekends. Towards the end of January it's back to Lyttelton and catchup paper work at the shop. Then in February Jane has the month off so we will head South to Stewart Island, the most amazing place I have ever been. We went there for the first time last year but came back early because of the EQ. Stewart Island is on the edge of the Southern Ocean and has an westerly gale once every 7 days on average, so I have to pick my time going down there. We cross Fouveaux Strait (75 miles) which takes about 12 hours in good conditions. Then end of Feb is back to work. The other thing I will be looking forward to is joining you again on this site, and fining out how well you have been doing. Thank you all for being here and sharing with me over the last few months. It has been a real joy for me and I have gained so much through meeting you. Some of you guys are just amazing, I have learned a great deal. Wishing you all the best for Christmas (Its the best time to be sober) and I promise I'll drop in when I get the chance.
Wow....By the Grace (A free gift) of God and AA you do see some amazing things. Have fun and be safe. Amazing. Because I know you have been where I was.
My Gawh Mike! What a fabulous way to spend the beginning of a summer! On a sail boat, venturing around with family!
If you ever get the urge to do something spontaneously crazy, point that sail boat towards the USA and head towards Wrightsville Beach... I'll be standing at the docks in some goofy looking shorts, with this really silly smile all over my face waiting for you. LOL
Have a great time... as someone said here already... living life to its fullest, being a part of the world again... just simply a demonstration of the gift of spiritual living with a sober mind.
Have a great time... as someone said here already... living life to its fullest, being a part of the world again... just simply a demonstration of the gift of spiritual living with a sober mind.
Mike H, in the somewhat short time that you have been a member of this board you have demonstrated what long term sobriety looks like and how this program works. It's been a pleasure to share this fellowship with you and add you to my extended "family of choice" my brother. Travel safely and stay in touch, we'll hold down the fort and leave a light on for you until your return.
I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
AYE AYE MATEY! Spent 4 years in the Armed forces cruisin the ocean blue on the Dock Landing Ship LSD-13(IMAGINE THAT ON LSD after off that LSD!!! :))Nothing ever replaced that feeling in the middle of the ocean ,no land in site for weeks and watch the stars at night go from the heavens to the horizon with the roll of ths ship.Peace and tranquillity my friend.thanks for always sharing our message of hope and our promise of freedom....Red at night sailors delight, red in the morning sailors take warning!!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
What a wonderful way to take in God's glory ... I may not be going with you in person, but I will definitely be there in spirit ... sounds like a dream come true ... Please behave yourself and may God be sailing with you as co-Captain of your ship ...
Take Care and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
AYE AYE MATEY! Spent 4 years in the Armed forces cruisin the ocean blue on the Dock Landing Ship LSD-13(IMAGINE THAT ON LSD after off that LSD!!! :))Nothing ever replaced that feeling in the middle of the ocean ,no land in site for weeks and watch the stars at night go from the heavens to the horizon with the roll of ths ship.Peace and tranquillity my friend.thanks for always sharing our message of hope and our promise of freedom....Red at night sailors delight, red in the morning sailors take warning!!!
Hey MikeF, I've been diving the LSD-32 USS Spiegel Grove in Key Largo. My first dive on it this spring was a solo dive. Pretty challenging since I'd never seen it before, and it was about 20' visibility
Hey COOL dEAN,,,,yes we operated with The grove at times in the med,part of the 6th fleet....picture brings back some memories,standing watch on the con above the wheelhouse in the pitch black night,ran the cranes putting boats in and out of water,worked in 2nd division ,aft part of ship from smokestacks back,Gun captain of the 40mm(alongside sm0okestacks) grove was a little newer than we were.my ship was decommisioned in 69,igot out in early 70 from 65..hanging over the side on scaffolds painting and chipping paint on the ship.....young pup of 18 with a terrible illness that stayed with me till progression for 20 more years.God's grace lets me look at this picture now...thanks Smooth sailing and diving I operated with Navy Seals and UDT divers,Drove the boats... Yes for me also the 'SEA IS ALWAYS CALLING IN MY MIND!!!! THANKS mIKE/pETE...............
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Enjoy the vacation and holidays Mike! Going to miss your ESH as I really enjoyed your posts. Sounds like some good quality time with the family, we get sober so we can enjoy life again.
Hope to hear from you soon...
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
red in the morning sailors take warning!!!
