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27 August 2008 | Litchfield, CT
29 December 2007 | Litchfield, CT

May You Live In Interesting Times

27 August 2008 | Litchfield, CT
Dear Friends and Family ~

Reputed to be an ancient Chinese saying*, the phrase "may you live in interesting times" expresses an ironic blessing. Having prepared for a life afloat for the past year, Jane and I are now only a week or two away from casting off. As embarkation day approaches, our lives are becoming more and more interesting while our two worlds . . . land and sea . . . begin to diverge.

The autumn-like weather last weekend was perfect for our tag sale.



We still have a bed, card table and chairs and a TV in the house and the few cherished pieces of furniture and wall art and both business and household records from the past few years have been distributed among family members. Settlement on the house is scheduled for next Thursday. Bon Voyage gatherings are under way with our many Litchfield friends and this past week was capped off by a beautiful sunset family dinner featuring grilled salmon, mutual validation and love.

Meanwhile, at a Brewer yard on the Sound, the boat waits with re-commissioning nearly complete. Upgrades include a new 860 Ah battry bank, new Link 2000 control panel, water cooling for the refrigeration condenser, installation of non-permeable sanitation houses, bacterial and particulate water filtration and new GPS chart-plotter, fresh water pump, deck wash-down pump, radar reflector, cockpit canvas, shades, screens and curtains and a new 9' Caribe RIB and 9.9 hp kicker. Refurbishment efforts were directed to thru hulls, propane system components, prop and rudder shaft packing glands, davit reinforcement, sail cleaning and stitching, bright work renewal and conversion of hanging lockers to shelves.

With Voyageur's preparations nearly complete, goodbyes are becoming more numerous and more heart felt. The house echoes. The boat waits. These are truly interesting times for Jane and me but, as a good friend recently remarked, "Why worry when you can pray".

Blessings to you, family and friends. We'll see you along the way.

Bob & Jane Fulton
August 2008


*Its earliest known appearance in print, however, is in a science fiction story written in 1950 by Duncan Munro (one of the pen names of Eric Frank Russell) called U-Turn.
Comments
Vessel Name: Voyageur
Vessel Make/Model: Island Packet 40
Hailing Port: Portsmouth, RI
Crew: Bob & Jane Fulton
About: First sail . . . Oshkosh Yacht Club, Lake Winnebago, in 1953 on an M16. First sail together . . . Lake Texoma in 1994 on an ODay 322. We're now full time cruisers aboard our Island Packet 40 cutter Voyageur with cruising friends from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas. It's what cruising is all about.
Extra: DAS BOAT ~ LOA - 41'6" Beam - 12'11'' Displ - 22,800lb Sail Area - 907 sq ft 2 Staterooms; 2 Heads
Voyageur's Photos - Main
At midnight on January 2, 2013, we headed through Little Harbor Reef and left the Abacos for a two month trip down and back up the incredibly beautiful Exumas island chain.
38 Photos
Created 6 April 2013
On July 26, 2012, we left Voyageur in Man-O-War Cay and flew from Marsh Harbour to Miami. Then we picked up our old Honda in St. Augustine and set off on three and a half months of visits with family and friends. The trip which we dubbed "The Great Sofa Tour of 2012" would take us from the Bahamas to Florida, Connecticut, Nova Scotia, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. And to all who opened their hearts and homes to us, we offer our thanks for making this trip of a life time possible ! This is your story too.
28 Photos
Created 1 December 2012
We leave Voyageur in St. Augustine and return to the canals and locks of the United Kingdom for our third narrowboat cruise.
56 Photos
Created 24 November 2009
Back in St. Augustine from the Abacos.
7 Photos
Created 15 July 2009
The Abacos are the islands and cays that comprise the Northern Bahamas.
46 Photos
Created 23 April 2009
From Lake Worth (West palm Beach), we set out across the Gulf Stream bound for the Little Bahama Bank and Great Sale Cay on our way to the Abacos.
16 Photos
Created 23 April 2009
From St. Augustine, we head further South for Lake Worth, near West Palm Beach, a popular jumping off point for the Bahamas . . . Mile 776 to Mile 1014
45 Photos
Created 10 March 2009
After a 9 degree wind chill and frost on the deck in Fernandina Beach, we finally find warm weather in Florida and some good ol' friends too . . . Mile 716 to Mile 776
30 Photos
Created 24 February 2009
Joined by Bobby and Starr, we point the bow South once again in search of warm breezes and Florida sunshine . . . Mile 563 to Mile 716
22 Photos
Created 20 February 2009
In this leg, we're bound from Calabash Creek to Shelter Cove Marina on Hilton Head Island where we'll leave the boat for a month of holiday visiting in the Northeast . . . Mile 342 to Mile 563
54 Photos
Created 20 February 2009
We left Oriental on Dec 3. In this part of our journey we were introduced to the Carolina low country, anchored with the Marines at Camp Lejeune, experienced the most unusual bridge opening of the entire waterway and saw our first Dolphins . . . Mile 181 to Mile 342
24 Photos
Created 20 February 2009
On November 17 we begin following rivers and crossing sounds on our way South to Oriental, NC . . . Mile 51 to Mile 181
11 Photos
Created 19 February 2009
Our first "official" leg on the Intracoastal Waterway . . . Mile 0 to Mile 51
25 Photos
Created 18 February 2009
While we spent the month of October on this magnificent body of water , winter caught up to us.
19 Photos
Created 13 February 2009
Our voyage finally begins.
12 Photos
Created 8 October 2008
Getting ready to cast off, we sell most of our land life things and move aboard.
8 Photos
Created 27 September 2008
Exploring the canal and lock system in England and Wales with friends Bobby & Starr, we discuss our cruising dreams.
8 Photos
Created 5 July 2008
These boats taught me to sail and readied me for cruising.
8 Photos
Created 4 July 2008