Atlantic – Welcome to The Menopausal Mariner

Carribean to the Azores… We’re coming home!!!

written by sammyadams1972

Day 1. May 1st. We left the Dutch side of the lagoon on the 1030 bridge, and it seemed like … More Carribean to the Azores… We’re coming home!!! →

Breathtaking Bequia

written by sammyadams1972

So The Cub visited with Megan, stayed 2 amazing weeks where his little Tyrannosaurus Rex arms didn’t make it to … More Breathtaking Bequia →

Dinghies and dickheads.

written by sammyadams1972

We had been waiting to catch up with our pals from Ghostrider for what seemed like forever, and we eventually … More Dinghies and dickheads. →

Martinique!

written by sammyadams1972

Whilst still drinking the champagne we had opened after anchoring, we were quickly introduced to Caribbean weather. And the heaven’s … More Martinique! →

Canaries to the Caribbean (via Cape Verde!)

written by sammyadams1972

We left Gran Canaria on November 21st 2022, and waved goodbye to all the pals we were leaving behind. Our … More Canaries to the Caribbean (via Cape Verde!) →

Atlantic crossing meal prep

written by sammyadams1972

Being a couple who despise leaving things to chance (too much military!!) I sat down a couple of weeks before … More Atlantic crossing meal prep →

The Porto Santo pavement problem.

written by sammyadams1972

We left Cascais on 30th July and had a fabulous sail all the way down to Porto Santo, arriving and … More The Porto Santo pavement problem. →

And we’re off!! Portugal to Lanzarote.

written by sammyadams1972

Weather is clearly a bit of a biggy when sailing, and thankfully we have the luxury of waiting out bad … More And we’re off!! Portugal to Lanzarote. →

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.

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.

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.