It's not for everyone

Every day we remind ourselves how lucky we are. But it is our dream way of life – it wouldn’t necessarily be someone elses. Do you want to know why?

• It is unpredictable. Most days we have a plan of what we are going to do. Most days it doesn’t happen – and not necessarily because we have hangovers or have spent the day playing with the dogs – but because something else happens which usually is out of our control. This is particularly true at the moment when learning about Monty B’s little quirks (why oh why would anyone stuff a hole in the fuel tank with tissue paper?)
• Pace of life – the days fly by faster than ever before – it really is so true that time flies when you’re having fun. I don’t want my life to go this quickly.
• Pace of life – we have turned dithering/faffing into an art form over here. Even the dogs don’t bother getting up when we look like we are leaving the boat – they know it’ll be at least another half an hour before we actually do. Though I think we can class it as pottering rather than faffing now we are on a boat.
• Lack of contact with other people. So far we just annoy each other – not bore each other – so it’s fine. But you are, in effect, on a tiny island with your loved ones and no one else 24/7. It's like living in the sticks.
• Constant injuries. There are a million things aboard to stub toes/hit shins/knees/lips/elbows on, two booms to hit heads on (which strangely, seems to be increasing exponentially week by week to the point that if it continues, I will be spending more time crouched on the deck, holding my head in my hands, than sleeping) and a never ending number of sharp edges to cut fingers and toes on. You must enjoy the sight of your own blood, daily pain and having blue/black skin.
• You cannot be a control freak – it just won’t work. You can’t control this kind of life which is part of the fun. You can try to limit fuck ups but that’s about it.
• There is always something which needs doing. If you find it hard to relax when there is an outstanding job to do, you would struggle (thankfully, I’ve never found this a problem).
• You must enjoy being scruffy and not be that arsed about having a shower every day.
• Not having a job. I know, I know – most people wouldn’t work unless they had to, blah blah blahh. But some people do seem to think they couldn't live without it.
• Broken sleep. You never get a full night's sleep unless you are so drunk an earthquake wouldn't disturb you. This has got better - the first few weeks were akin to having a new born baby - I don't think either of us slept for more than 2 hours at a time. We are now used to the creaks and the constant movement (though earplugs help).