July 2019 – Welcome to The Menopausal Mariner

From Camaret to Bénodet

written by sammyadams1972

After leaving Brest we made the epic journey of 90 minutes down river to Camaret. We had chosen here as … More From Camaret to Bénodet →

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Un petit repos

written by sammyadams1972

In my opinion Brest is not the most attractive of ports, but we did stay just over 2 days for … More Un petit repos →

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Brest is best.

written by sammyadams1972

So after Lee decided to test the impact ability of both the fuel pontoon and our berth within 30 minutes … More Brest is best. →

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The worst part about doing drugs is running out.

written by sammyadams1972

I take drugs. And I mean I take a SHIT load of them. I take them for my back, then … More The worst part about doing drugs is running out. →

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Dog Dirt

written by sammyadams1972

Sailing with Franco is great fun but it does have it’s difficulties. Apart from taking up 3/4 of the family … More Dog Dirt →

About me

I am 52 years old and grew up between the UK in Pulborough and Emsworth and the US in upstate New York due to my Dad’s work.

I have sailed for as long as I can remember and did some yacht deliveries as a late teen, and the love for sailing has never left me.

I became a nursing auxiliary aged 16 and started my nurse training in Bath aged 18. After qualifying I specialised in Clinical Research and moved to Africa. On returning to the UK I joined the Royal Navy and shortly after completing basic training was drafted to Gibraltar where I met my husband Lee. I stayed in the Navy for many years and specialised in polytrauma within operating theatres, completing numerous tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. After a serious back injury caused my medical retirement from the Navy I then went on to train in nurse prescribing and aesthetics.

We have now lived onboard full time for 6 years and still loving it. Mostly…!

I still have my amazing Mum Val, aged 84 and who we own a house 8 doors away from. I lost my beloved Dad Jim a few years ago. I have a big brother called Phil, my sister in law Roo, nephews Sam and Jake, my amazing step son Jack AKA The Cub, and obviously there is Lee and Franco.

About Lee

I am 51 years old and grew up between Plymouth in Devon and South Shields in Tyneside. Unlike Sam, I was not brought up sailing and only started about 10 years ago when we had our first boat. I enjoyed it immediately and therefore thought it was time to swap my previous expensive hobby of fast cars for a more sedate yet equally expensive hobby.

I retired 5 years ago after 28 years working for the UK Government and am loving the sailing life we now have. It is not all sunshine, fun, drinks, socialising as there are also some downsides, but nowhere near enough to regret this decision.

About Franco

Franco is a 8 (ish) year old mini Belgian Malinois we adopted in Colombia after being found nearly dead in the street at a few weeks old. As I did fundraising for animal shelters there, we were asked if we could home him over the weekend, but once a dog crosses our threshold, unless he belongs to someone else they don’t leave! After many weeks being very touch and go, he pulled through and he obviously came home with us. He is not very user friendly, not bothered about cuddles, people or food. Only seems to want to charge around and play and has massive ears. Everyone loves him but he expresses disdain for everyone he meets. He sleeps on the bed (or the family basket as we call it) and our world revolves around him. As do our sailing plans! He is also known as Sausage.

Welcome to The Menopausal Mariner

The sailing adventures of a grumpy, middle aged woman, her longsuffering husband and disinterested dog.

Month: July 2019

From Camaret to Bénodet

Un petit repos

Brest is best.

The worst part about doing drugs is running out.

Dog Dirt