Suilven's Travels: A Life Changing Celtic Odyssey
Nonfiction, Sports, Water Sports, Boating, Travel, Adventure & Literary Travel
| Author: | David Skelhon | ISBN: | 9780992055202 |
| Publisher: | David Skelhon | Publication: | November 7, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Smashwords Edition | Language: | English |
| Author: | David Skelhon |
| ISBN: | 9780992055202 |
| Publisher: | David Skelhon |
| Publication: | November 7, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Smashwords Edition |
| Language: | English |
Thirty years ago I quit my job in science and engineering. Even in my late 20’s I was tired and disgruntled with the world and my place in it. I wanted to get off the treadmill, and experience the beauty of Planet Earth, or at least my little corner of it.
My partner Jill Brown and I looked to the world of sailing for travel and adventure. We sold our home, built a 26’ Wharram Polynesian-style catamaran and moved to the ocean. We struggled to make a living in Cornwall, one of the most beautiful maritime counties in the British Isles. I built boats and together with Jill wrote four regional guide books for major publishers. I was also a regular contributor to Practical Boat Owner magazine and editor of Sea People, the journal of the Polynesian Catamaran Association. It took a few years but the dream of adventure became real and the result was an extraordinary voyage around the west coast of Britain in the summer and autumn of 1990.
Suilven’s Travels is my account of this 3 month, life-changing odyssey, which was packed with adventure and challenge. Suilven II departed Plymouth in July and headed north to the Hebrides, stopping in Scilly, Wales, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. The story brings to life the landscape and culture of western Britain and in particular Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. It also shows what is possible on a minimal budget if the desire is strong enough to succeed. I was alone for most of the outbound trip, which gave me plenty of time to reflect on the world and my place in it. Jill Brown sailed with me on the demanding return trip when we struggled against autumn gales and rough seas and came close to losing our small boat on a couple of occasions.
Looking back nearly 25 years it’s obvious there has been dramatic change in our world – especially in technology. But the human spirit and the search for meaning in life is growing stronger as more of us realize it is becoming impossible to thrive in a system which essentially alienates us from our Earth, and our true selves. Suilven’s Travels was written to inspire others to step outside the box and live closer to the Earth.
Thirty years ago I quit my job in science and engineering. Even in my late 20’s I was tired and disgruntled with the world and my place in it. I wanted to get off the treadmill, and experience the beauty of Planet Earth, or at least my little corner of it.
My partner Jill Brown and I looked to the world of sailing for travel and adventure. We sold our home, built a 26’ Wharram Polynesian-style catamaran and moved to the ocean. We struggled to make a living in Cornwall, one of the most beautiful maritime counties in the British Isles. I built boats and together with Jill wrote four regional guide books for major publishers. I was also a regular contributor to Practical Boat Owner magazine and editor of Sea People, the journal of the Polynesian Catamaran Association. It took a few years but the dream of adventure became real and the result was an extraordinary voyage around the west coast of Britain in the summer and autumn of 1990.
Suilven’s Travels is my account of this 3 month, life-changing odyssey, which was packed with adventure and challenge. Suilven II departed Plymouth in July and headed north to the Hebrides, stopping in Scilly, Wales, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. The story brings to life the landscape and culture of western Britain and in particular Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. It also shows what is possible on a minimal budget if the desire is strong enough to succeed. I was alone for most of the outbound trip, which gave me plenty of time to reflect on the world and my place in it. Jill Brown sailed with me on the demanding return trip when we struggled against autumn gales and rough seas and came close to losing our small boat on a couple of occasions.
Looking back nearly 25 years it’s obvious there has been dramatic change in our world – especially in technology. But the human spirit and the search for meaning in life is growing stronger as more of us realize it is becoming impossible to thrive in a system which essentially alienates us from our Earth, and our true selves. Suilven’s Travels was written to inspire others to step outside the box and live closer to the Earth.
