I grew up, and live, in the windiest city in the world (Wellington), which is apparently in the Roaring Forties, so wind doesn't bother me. The ocean terrifies me though! We recently had a 'red warning' for severe wind and people pretty much went about as normal. A few trampolines ended up in neighbour's gardens... One or two rooves flew off, I think.
Mike, I love that I’m reading this coincidentally tucked up in a bunk on a tall ship, the Maybe, anchored tonight off … the Isle of Man. Reading this I enjoyed that vicarious thrill of adventure that I know I could never, ever, undertake.
No no no no no no no. And, in case I haven't made myself quite clear, no.
Husband goes sailing once a year. I do not accompany him. I stay at home enjoying a bed that does not move and food that has not been dried or tinned and walking on a surface that is not actively trying to kill me.
I live in the middle of the Roaring Forties - Wellington Harbour in New Zealand. See that little line of wind that goes between the two islands of NZ? Thats us. And the wind is intensified as it is channeled between the two islands. Every year in Wellington, just after all the spring blossoms have burst and it is looking glorious, the Roaring Forties hit and blow the blossoms to smithereens. I am thinking of moving to Bali.
I can’t believe they did it twice! Terrifying. I can’t believe the cat survived, this made me laugh: ‘and a pathetic wail lets them know that Pwe, a “bedraggled rat of a cat”, has survived the disaster and is furiously demanding an explanation.’ How very dare you! 🤣😳
Wow. I was aware reading this that you did that technique to us of sharing the most riveting bit first and then drawing back so we had to keep reading to get to what happened, and yet I did keep reading, and it was worth it.
We stan an adventure cat as brave as Pwe! (by 'we' I mean 'me', Major Tom is sitting next to me making horrified faces at the thought of that much water)
Sweet lord no. One dunk in the middle of the ocean and I'd lose my mind. Let alone having the wherewithal to fix a disaster enough to get back to land. Nope. NOPE. I'm not cut out for water adventures.
I grew up, and live, in the windiest city in the world (Wellington), which is apparently in the Roaring Forties, so wind doesn't bother me. The ocean terrifies me though! We recently had a 'red warning' for severe wind and people pretty much went about as normal. A few trampolines ended up in neighbour's gardens... One or two rooves flew off, I think.
Mike, I love that I’m reading this coincidentally tucked up in a bunk on a tall ship, the Maybe, anchored tonight off … the Isle of Man. Reading this I enjoyed that vicarious thrill of adventure that I know I could never, ever, undertake.
No no no no no no no. And, in case I haven't made myself quite clear, no.
Husband goes sailing once a year. I do not accompany him. I stay at home enjoying a bed that does not move and food that has not been dried or tinned and walking on a surface that is not actively trying to kill me.
I live in the middle of the Roaring Forties - Wellington Harbour in New Zealand. See that little line of wind that goes between the two islands of NZ? Thats us. And the wind is intensified as it is channeled between the two islands. Every year in Wellington, just after all the spring blossoms have burst and it is looking glorious, the Roaring Forties hit and blow the blossoms to smithereens. I am thinking of moving to Bali.
I can’t believe they did it twice! Terrifying. I can’t believe the cat survived, this made me laugh: ‘and a pathetic wail lets them know that Pwe, a “bedraggled rat of a cat”, has survived the disaster and is furiously demanding an explanation.’ How very dare you! 🤣😳
Amazing story. Only the British, or 😅!
I love ship stories. Just reading or hearing the words, Roaring Forties or Furious Fifties shivers me timbers!
Wowie, Mike, this one's a banger! Thanks for a great (safe in the comfort of my own chair) ride!
Wow. I was aware reading this that you did that technique to us of sharing the most riveting bit first and then drawing back so we had to keep reading to get to what happened, and yet I did keep reading, and it was worth it.
We stan an adventure cat as brave as Pwe! (by 'we' I mean 'me', Major Tom is sitting next to me making horrified faces at the thought of that much water)
Sweet lord no. One dunk in the middle of the ocean and I'd lose my mind. Let alone having the wherewithal to fix a disaster enough to get back to land. Nope. NOPE. I'm not cut out for water adventures.
I once sailed with Christophe Auguin, the fastest global sailboat racer who ever lived, and I say.... never again! Terrifying.
No. All kinds of no! I'm glad the world's populations include thrill-seekers, so I can learn from their mistakes. Nooo!
I mean you left the explanation till the end, Mike. Yorkshire, it’s English for bloody minded!
Madness!
Sarah Hall’s long-awaited new novel about the helm wind is out next month (July). It’s called… HELM.