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CONTRAST
Its no secret that sailors miss greenery when they are away for weeks at sea. Ive fantasised about seeing a tree, or grass, or a plant many a day with my crew amidst the beauty of the ocean. Ive dreamed of towering mountains, rolling hills, the smell of the solid, unmoving earth - longed for it in fact.
So, this winter (on land) Ive been developing a new hobby: growing things. Every day in 2023 that Ive found challenging, I bought a houseplant. The greenery serves as a daily reminder that its the difficult days that we grow most from. Thanks to our dear friends Jenny and Nuno in Portugal for the inspiration. They sent me home earlier this year with three suitcases full of ICEBEARs safety equipment, and a hand luggage of five fig tree cuttings from their magical farm home. Now my fig trees are blooming on my windowsill inside their water bottle greenhouses. Ill be sure to keep you all in the loop on the development of the future 59 North side business: the Southsea Fig Farm.
Ive just returned from Falkens debut week with 59 North crew. Before I continue, I dont want to pass this moment without giving it the recognition it deserves. Falken is sailing! In fact, Andy is about to lift anchor and sail her to Ireland, waving adieu to the dusty boatyard in search for warmer climates. We keep pinching ourselves; she is officially in action, almost exactly a year since she went into the shed. It has been a marathon of a project and we are so excited to show her off to all of you.
Rewinding a week - February in the English Channel delivered exactly what we expected gale force winds, rig shaking sea states, freezing cold crew, a damp boat, sloshing bilges (leaking water tank) and more vomit than I saw in the whole of 2020-2022 combined. How is my sales pitch going so far? Isbjorns 2024 calendar just aired ;) Its lucky I didnt have internet, or the home garden centre might have gotten out of hand. But yet - my stomach muscles are aching from laughing so much. Does this paradox sound familiar to any of you?
We had similar reflections after the trial sail on Falken in January (which was just as - if not more - gruesome a sail). I had a realisation that week. Just because we are comfortable - as I had been at home that month - warm, dry, safe at home, taking baths every evening, and seeing friends at the weekend - doesnt mean we are happy. The first two weeks of January were some of the hardest days mentally, that I have ever had in my life. And in the same vein, just because we are uncomfortable does not automatically mean we will feel unhappy. We all agreed that the exhausting, brutal - honestly awful - few days of trial sailing were some of the best days at sea any of us had ever had. Just as with Falkens leg 1 last week, our stomachs ached from laughing so hard, we were glowing from the fresh air, and we were all just so very happy!
Sailing is like a love letter to ourselves. Like love it can be both magical, and painful at the same time. With the challenge and the hardship of sailing, comes an opportunity for us to shine, to stand taller, and to grow. Just like plants, who need a frosty winter or a dry summer to strengthen their roots and breed sweeter fruits, we too - need hardship to be the best versions of ourselves. The best life has contrast I texted my friend recently. And what Ive realised this winter - is that for me - happiness is about balance. When the warm baths and the smell of fresh grass sit alongside the ferocious breeze and the wild adventurous seas - that is when I live my best life.
This morning, dawn broke at 0545. Spring is finally poking her head out from the darkness. Its time to come out of hibernation and make plans for the year. As you think ahead, I hope this inspires you to try something new - and to embrace the growth that comes with stepping outside your comfort zone.
Nikki
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