Sailing in the Upper Hemisphere

Being superbly technically challenged, I not at all sure how this blog will work out.  However, be that as it may, my reason for giving it a go is in answer to 1 or 2 comments about my epistles sent whilst a Reluctant Crew on board our sail boat ....... "you should write these down Sooze!"................
 
Over the last 5 years, I have had an opportunity  to sail our yacht 'Freedom of Hamble'  traveling from the Solent across the Channel to the Brittany coast ........ 

What follows are my observations and notations on life in general on board a 45ft container for the summer months in the northern hemisphere (or 'upper' hemisphere here on in - I hail from the 'lower' hemisphere, but that's another story!).........   I should point out that the blog is generally my fond (or otherwise) memories of times at sea, bearing in mind I have a totally sailing committed hubby and a severe case of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" thing going on!!.........................

All to often, the characters "Beaver" and "Sheila"  from that memorable book written by Michael Green called 'The Art of Coarse Sailing' come into my focus, not that there is any similarity in grumpiness on behalf of 'Freedom's' Skipper of course, ............. quite the opposite in fact, my Skip is as 'happy as Larry, or more like a pig in poo'!!  Noo, noo it's "Sheila" I can sympathise with more readily, with the looks of wide-eyed surprise/fear/wonder, or just plain amazement,  bearing in mind living on board our floating home, which is constantly on the move, is basically living a life of semi-controlled, organised chaos which is  completely dependent on the latest weather forecast, moronometer reading (yes I did spell that right!) or listening to what the coastguard has to say, plus checking the obvious seaweed consistency or indeed checking whether the sea birds are flying forwards and not backwards!!........................................................