A Day in the Life of a Nomadic Retiree
A Day in the Life of a Retired Nomad: Chasing the Sun
Our most recent sailing adventure started in the spring in Turkey, we enjoyed the Mediterranean summer moving west towards Gibraltar. As the weather started to cool, we headed south to Cape Verde and then crossed the Atlantic for a Caribbean winter. When the hurricane season arrived, we sailed north to the USA for the summer, stopping in Bermuda. As winter approached, we returned to the warm waters of the Caribbean and continued to chase the sun.
Sailing the world and crossing oceans may be a terrifying idea for some, while others see it as a romantic adventure. Visiting remote islands, communities, and immersing oneself in unique life experiences, such as scuba diving in remote atolls in French Polynesia’s Pacific Ocean, and enjoying sundowners with new friends on a secluded beach in the Bahamas. We've made lifelong friends from these travels, friends that hail from corners of the globe – Canada, the UK, Sweden – just to name a few. We've shared many laughs, drinks, and meals.
Our yacht, our sailing boat, was our home. We didn't identify as sailors but as cruisers. In a past life, my sport was sailing; it was all about the win and how fast we could navigate the racecourse. Life as a cruiser was about the destination and ideally an uneventful journey with calm seas and not break anything.
A Day in the Life of a Nomadic Retiree
Boat jobs in exotic places.... There was always, always something to fix or maintain. The salt air is unforgiving. The day might start like any other, baking a loaf of bread for breakfast followed by a swim. While enjoying a morning coffee, we would review the list, the never-ending list of boat jobs. I wasn't a trained mechanic but with help from my Canadian friend, I was soon able to change the engine oil and filters. The same task applied to the generator. This gave me the confidence to service the winches and later fix a leaking water maker (desalinator to make fresh water).
Today’s task was to service the dinghy (tender) outboard. I organised my tools, watched a YouTube video 'how to service your outboard engine,' found the engine oil, oil filter, and gear lube in the very last storage box at the bottom of the yacht’s belly and then I headed to shore to a white sandy beach. Upon arrival, I realised that I’d forgotten the funnel and rags so it was a dash back to the mother ship 'Aura.'
Servicing the dinghy outboard may sound mundane, but in the backdrop of turquoise waters and white sand beaches, it feels like an adventure. I laid out my tools meticulously, double-checking everything. The first step was to drain the old oil. I removed the drain plug and let the oil flow out into a container. I added fresh oil, carefully checking the levels to ensure it was perfect. Next, using my grease gun I lubricate the swivel brackets, a little trivia these are also called grease zerks!
Once the oil change was complete, I felt a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't just about maintaining the engine but about embracing the challenge and learning new skills. The satisfaction of a job well done, combined with the stunning surroundings, made it a unique experience.
Next job on the list, sundowners 😊
Being a retired nomad is about more than just travel; it's about living life on your own terms, embracing new experiences, and learning new skills. Whether it’s sailing across oceans or fixing a dinghy outboard on a tropical beach, every day brings a new adventure and a chance to grow.