How do we feel living like sailing nomads?

 How do we feel living like sailing nomads in the summer? Many of our neighbours in any anchorage have sold up and their yacht is their home, whether with purpose of exploring particular places or just going where the winds or fancy take them. We are not full time liveaboards and it would be hard on such a small boat but we share many things in common.

After years of structure in life within the systems and programmes of work and living it can be a shock to adjust to going with the flow and making decisions on a daily basis and feeling such freedom.

We seek nature and live in it's presence. 

Our large cockpit is wonderful for summer living and we are outside most of the time.

We have comforts beyond basic camping but live very simply. We value all of our resources, water - we collect from taps and carry in containers by dinghy, gas for cooking in bottles, off-grid 12 volt electricity system run from 2 x 60 watt solar panels which are portable and put into the cabin during sailing. This keeps our 2x105 amp hour batteries topped up for fridge, engine start, charging  phones, some lighting and our instrumentation. A battery monitor shows at any moment where the system stands . We have learned to stop charging phones and especially power packs an hour before sunset to preserve batteries for hours of darkness.

We feel blessed to enjoy close proximity to nature, to see the stars and to follow the phases of the moon. We choose to avoid towns except to buy supplies preferring more remote places to anchor. During this summer we did not tie up once to a town Quay or marina. 

Being together as a couple 24 /7 we don't need to be speaking all the time, and can enjoy silent presence which allows us each deep connection "inside" with self and with nature. We can share silence too with friends at that level of consciousness.

Being naked when possible in the heat of summer is pure joy. I have enjoyed this pleasure for decades. Going to the clear water to cool off is a wonderful feeling, especially without clothes, during and after the dip.

We do not enjoy too much contact with wasps, mosquitoes or flies but are full of joy when we see a kingfisher, dragonfly, praying mantis or a starfish etc.  

We must face all conditions, from calms to storms and be ready to act quickly for any situation which can threaten the boat or us.

The ever changing light from dawn to dusk is art to our souls. We know the phases of the moon, where the sun will rise and set and where and when to move to use to our advantage or shelter from winds.

Nature is our home, our health, our grounding and it truly nourishes us. On the water we feel alive.