Safe on the water!

There we go!

The BIG news I referred to in my last newsletter is old news by now, that’s how it goes with other social media being faster than any blog I’m writing. I’m the proud owner of the Mare Fortuna! I’m so fortunate with her. Thanks to Maritinus and my former rowing buddy Marieke we could settle on the sale. Very happy indeed!

April was, and still is, a busy month. I have finished the 6-day course @seasports southwest. They are based in Teighmouth, a lovely small town on the Devon coast. A course, for, with (and by) and  other Ocean Rowers: safety on board, navigation, first aid, all things that are important to cross the ocean as safe as possible. How to deploy a liferaft, how to not panick. So much to learn! And sharing stories with the other rowers. It wasn’t only about being good students in the classroom. Plenty of fun in the pub doing a pubquiz, enjoying a morning swim each day and a great paella diner for the whole group. Thank you Tim&Sue!

I enjoyed some extra days off in England and visited the Jurassic Coast with a friend from Shoreham. Great walks&talks, it felt like a holiday with lots of sunshine and fossils. But returning back to working life isn’t something to be done easily. Two different worlds that I’m in. Not confusing, but it can take a while before I have the right mindset again. Sorry colleagues!

The course in Devon surely was very useful. I’m just back from a weekend training on the IJsselmeer. It is the largest body of (fresh) water in the Netherlands, about 1100km2. It is famous, notorious more like, for its chopsy waves. As I have rowed in the Mare Fortuna for many a weekend, my goodness it is different doing it alone. Everything! Routeplanning, feetsteering, decision making. How does de Mare feel when rowing alone? Where do I go, what planning do I make. I was ready for making mistakes and don’t feel bad about it. It’s the only real way to learn isn’t it? So lessons learned, evaluate and up for the next one.

But first I’m taking a break and visit my most favourite country in the world; Scotland. Apart from rowing, another hobby of mine is Munro-bagging. I started in December 2014 with this project and ticked 128 Munro’s since then. And late May I’ll pick up rowing again and will explore more of our Dutch waters. So. Never a dull moment 🙂

Last but not least: I go solo but I don’t feel solo with the help of friends and colleagues. Boat in the water with help of my rowing buddies of the Sterke Sietze, photo’s&video’s by my colleague Renske de Boer Design Festijn, fixing a ride, advice on designs for banners. To name a few things. I feel so grateful, thank you guys!

X Renate