So gave it away and flew back to UK and settled down to work within IT for various manufacturuers across the EU, saw son no 2 arrive when also in UK, and a decade on emigrated to Australia by the grand old ages of 29/30.
We'd always resolved to get travelling again just as soon as it was possible - but did not think it would take so long from those early hippy days to actually get going again.
We really got involved in sailing when in Oz. Mostly racing.
Graduated from a 21 foot trailor sailor in which we cut out teeth and taught ourselves how to sail - into Solings and onto the race scene - then a 30 foot JOG flyer with which we cleaned up on the State silverware - right up to a 40 foot Adams Cruiser (but still with a racing attitude).
Had some great sailing expriences in Aus. Enjoyed Sailing Cap't, Racing Rules Chair, and Offshore Racing Chair positions across several local clubs. Even built a 10 metre Swarbrick race yacht from start to finish.
Lucky enough to pull together a great crew over those years, and on a variety of yachts won just about every race in the West Australian Offshore Calander over the decade and a bit.
In 1990 we were awarded the WA State Offshore Green Water Championship. Loved the race parties as much as the events - in fact we loved it all.
In 1996 we were offered an opportunity to secure another business in the UK. Took a lot of thought, but Sue and I reloacted back.
Son no 1 was by then seriously competitive racer (foredeck on AC Sydney 95). He's since married an Italian lass and their home is now in Tuscany.
Son no 2 also came to tthe UK in 1997. He now runs our UK business much better than I ever could. It's 140 people and still growing, based out of Southampton - but operating nationally.
In 1993 Sue and I decided we'd start to slip gradually out of the work mode and see if anyone noticed.
Son no 2 was more than ready to take the reins so became M/D to replace me. He got in in a part time bookkeper to cover Sues job also - and we were almost clear.
Purchased a lovely second hand Grand Soleil 42. After a bit of local racing / kitting her out, slid off for four weeks in Brittany that first summer. Came back and was pleased to see no one realised we'd gone.
So 1994 saw us slipping off end May, and spent two months taking part in Rally Portugal from UK to Algave, and sailing two handed for most days, ended up with the Grand Soliel (also named Swagman) parked up in Lagos.
Came back to the UK at summer end, and still no one realised we'd been away. In fact - August was so nice in the UK we did not return to work until end August. Found I'd lost my big desk - but still had my squidgy black leather chair!
Then saw the then brand new Hanse 461 at the Southampton Boatshow, September 04. Both fell in love with her inside and out - had a bit of a haggle - and secured a deal to see us as eager owners of the very first UK 461 by early 2005.
Easily (but sadly) moved on Swagman 1 to a lovely caring Ozzie acquaintance, and set up Swagman 2 to get going again by May.
Started our blog here around that time.
Waved our goodbyes from the UK in May 2005, took part for a second time in Rally Portugal, and continue sailing right through to the Balearic where finally in August 05, we parked her up in Palma Mallorca - and went back to the UK, our home, and our work.
Only then it was obvious John really did not have a job (although still his big chair), and the company needs dictated that Sue has to be replaced full time also.......and so it dawned that RETIREMENT was on the cards.
So in 2006 we flew out to Palma in April - and we both set off with a couple of pals across the Med towards Turkey. They departed from Istanbul - and Sue and I continued to explore the East Med all summer.
This blog records most of our activities since getting the new boat - and is put up here as a combo of diary / log / and family pal update line. Most seem to want to know where we are and what we are doing - some of the other Hanse owners are keen to learn what technical jobbies we've done - so those bits can get a bit boring for other non sailors. Sorry about that.
Yes, we both certainly know just how lucky we are to be able to take part in this adventure and continue travelling where we left off 30+ years back. I can tell you Swagmans stateroom is a lot more comfortable than the desert alongside the VW Camper - but nothing is a good as knowing we are still doing this together - and even close to 40 years in, still feeling the same.
If you find the blog boring - live with it. We've tried to add pictures where we can to liven things up - plus add in off water excursions where we think there's something of interest to report. But as YotBlog only allow a certain amount of space, we'll knock off early ones to add in new.
Appreciate you taking time to dive into the blog - and hoping if you aim like us to get away and re-live your youth - it somehow helps you achieve that. And PLEASE - do say hello. You can do so via a 'comment' and we'd love to hear from you as often as possible , friends, family and strangers alike.
Cheers
JOHN and SUE
