Posted by John Lambert on July 07, 2009 at 19:30:32 user John.
In Reply to: Sailing alone? posted by Pam Adams on July 06, 2009 at 22:41:59:
Pam, I've often wondered whether or not I could make it single-handed around the world. I have often wondered why people would want to do it too. I suppose it's the ultimate challenge over oneself, where your resources are taxed to the limit and you have no on to rely on no one except yourself. The sea is a big and fearsome place and I guess a true sailor wants to conquer it. Well, he never will of course, but just to circumnavigate the world gives you a sort of mastery over it.
I have faced a typhoon in the South China Sea. I have sweated it out in the doldrums of the mid-Pacific. I have sailed around the Horn and faced 40 foot waves. I have endured months of my own company. I have known loneliness, fought off sleepiness, endured hunger and thirst and flirted with madness. I may never come back, but if I do, nothing has fears for me any more. I have done all these things and how I have a clear understanding of who I am and what I can do.
The idea does have a fascination for me, but I suppose I will never do it now.
"Oh Dieu, ton mer est si vaste et mon bateau est si petit."