This blog describes the journeys of the yacht Wild Bird of Fowey" and her two partners in crime - the wild birds Carol and Susie.
As of October 2008, we're still in the UK, learning about Wild Bird and doing lots of sailing (as the blog describes). Jimmy Cornell and Beth Leonard - or at least thier books - are our bedside companions, along with yotty catalogues and other sundry things to finalise Wild Bird's wardrobe of parts and accessories ready for the off next spring..
The art studio afloat!
We are both artists- part-time at the moment, whilst we earn money doing more boring things. Once we're on our way, we plan to spend time recording our journeys in watercolours, paintings, photography and other media, as well as offer our artistic services to others we meet on our journeys.
See the links section for a link to our website "Wild Bird Arts" (OOpsss - not live at the moment!)
Wild Bird of Fowey
Wild Bird is a Bowman 40. She's a Yacht designed by Chuck Paine for bluewater cruising: she's cutter rigged and has a relatively shallow Scheel Keel.
By modern AWB- "average white boat" standards, she may seem a tad old fashioned - no sumptuous aft cabin and a relatively small cockpit - but great for passage making. On their launch back in the late 80s, Bowman 40's were described in a Yachting Monthly review as follows:
"Over nearly 20 years, Rival- Bowman have carved themselves a niche for producing no-compromise cruising yachts. Their quality, both in materials and workmanship, is the genuine variety rather than that claimed universally at boat shows and in brochures. Whilst one can chose from a number of 40-footers sporting greater volume interiors, extra cabins and more fashionable styling, the Bowman 40 has the same sort of attraction a Mercedes has over a similar-sized Toyota sports car."
"With this background and the considerable skills of Chuck Paine, the Bowman 40 has everything going for her. She has to be regarded as the near ideal ocean cruising yacht for between two and four people capable of passage-making to anywhere in the world without modification."
Carol
I've recently been described as an "Educated Woman from North of Watford Gap" and that probably is a good one sentence summary.
I originate from Lancashire in the UK but temporarily live near Fowey, whilst I prepare Wild Bird for our voyages. . Past career includes things as diverse as working for the UK space programme; directing biotechnology research; being a CEO in Venture Capital, being a Finance Director, being a trainee integrated arts psychotherapist and serving burgers on Helen Browning's Flying Pig!
Apart from the sundry science and management degrees I've picked up along the way, I also have a strong interest in the arts and personal development and have trained as an integrated arts psychotherapist (but not practising) and done all sorts of other "alternative" things such as drama therapy, mask work,and puppetry; workshops with Marion Woodman; drumming, 5 rythms workshops, voicework (Jill Purce, Frankie Armstrong etc) and some basic shamanic work as well of course as various alternative holidays in Skyros and Cortijo Romero. I'm currently exploring both Yoga and Tantra.
Susie
I must get my love of sailing from my father’s side. My grandfather and my father’s three brothers were all naval men.
I’d always had the travel bug and at sixteen decided to run away to Canada. On my return aged 26 I met and married a Cornishman, had two children and after 25 years in that post I found myself single. During that time I started sailing with my daughter and was hooked.
I met Carol through a sailing site and after a lot of wishful conversations we decided to take the bull by the horns and have an adventure.
We are now planning our escape while getting to grips with two women sailing together. So far we’ve had a great time meeting new people, making good friends and exploring new places. This is just the beginning of a new phase in my life.
Why "Wild Bird"?
Apart from the general image of a wild bird soaring free in the sky, I'm also inspired by Reading Clarissa Pinkola Estes...
"Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of the wildish nature come to us at birth, society's attempt to "civilize" us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped."
