Cold water and me – there’s something about it. Lemme get this straight: I HATE cold water – to me, a shower equals a liquid sauna, and I start shaking like a Parkinson patient in anaphylactic shock after five minutes in 24°C water. So why did I participate in the annual “shiver dive” in the Blaarmeersen in Gent? I was set up. People lured me there with the excuse of all “swimming together, what fun!” and I ended up alone in the water (“you know, I actually have a sore throat and a headache, it’s probably wiser for me not to go in”)… Also, I wanted to proof for once and for all that I’m not a total wimp when it comes to somewhat cooler water (who am I kidding?). Actually, it felt great. I made it to the 2m depth line AND back, and the glowing afterwards is a great sensation; yes, a “kick”!
I was still under the influence of that “kick”, I guess, when I launched the idea of chartering a sailing yacht again this summer, but not in the heavenly hot Mediterranean this time, oh no… so why not in Scandinavia, of all godforsaken places! Well, after several wimps did withdraw for several invalid reasons, we’re still with five people left who’d love to go. A somewhat more experienced team, this time, to make sure I’ll actually enjoy it more than I’d be stressed by concerns about the boat, as the only responsible, like last time. I’d set my mind on this beauty in Dalarö, but we need to be with seven to keep it within our budget… So, still two more persons required who can already decide for sure they are free and willing to join us from 7-14 July… come on, that’s not a hard choice now, is it?! I refuse to go and float around in a 30 footer, for three reasons: 30 footers and less are model making toys, my ego doesn’t fit in a yacht smaller than 36 ft, and, last but least, a 30 ft yacht takes you no-where as the average speed you can get out of it is 2 knots less than a 42 ft yacht. So, anyone in?