Kids – Page 2

Fortune NL–greatest boat race in the world

August 17, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Newfoundland, wildlife

We arrived at Fortune to find that the local Dory boat race was underway – the greatest boat race in the world! Locals team up in couples and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never rowed a boat in your life, as we found out from the first couple. You row around 2 markers twice then across the canal to fill a barrel with water using paint buckets and water from the canal, then row around the 2 markers twice again and back to the ramp where you run up saw a log in half with a two man saw. There were 8 couples competing and whomever gets the best time wins. Bloody terrific!

Fermeuse yard time

August 9, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Newfoundland, paint, projects, wildlife

We would like to thank all the guys at Fermeuse Marine Limited especially Francis and Noel for making our yard time a joy. Our girls were given candy, chips, coveralls and even a scooter! I’m sure we made them all nervous letting our girls run riot around their yard. The didn’t get in too much trouble they just like a good chat, well Pri does while Wags looms in the shadows. We’ve been out of the water for 4 days, most of those being rainy. Carl pressure washed the bottom, welded some patches and painted her up. We chose from the fisherman’s color palette and Pri picked blue. We were a little worried that it was very much Cinderella blue but once it dried it darkened a little and we’re ok with it now. Can’t miss us. Instead of saying “we’re the big boat over there” we can say “we’re the blue boat over there”. Nice.

Francis loaned us his truck to go to the corner store for some food on the first day. Noel drove us to (the only) restaurant up the road for dinner another day. Super nice people.

We highly recommend this boat yard to anyone travelling through the St. Johns area. We’ve never seen a cleaner yard and it allowed self service.

We finally got our moose shot. Noel (boat yard foreman) came and got me when he spied this lovely lady moose. Wonderful.

Big thanks to Don who lent us his truck for the day so we could do laundry, groceries and pic up Geo in St. Johns (1.5 hour drive from Fermeuse). It was a tight squeeze but we did it! The drive home wasn’t much fun. I was that crazed lady driving up close to the windscreen determined not to hit a moose. Who drives 1.5 hours in Newfoundland in the evening in dense fog while its raining? Oh yeah that would be us!

Thanks also to Jason for helping us paint our boat and giving us a bucket load of movies.

I wonder why we got lost in St. Johns??! Thanks for the shit directions little man!

4 days later and we’re going back in the water. Thanks Francis and the team at Fermeuse Marine Ltd, A+ boat yard/ daycare center. They all made us feel like family.

I always amazes me how the fog rolls into this place.

The sea monster stuck to our anchor. Ewww!

She’s big, blue and BEAUTIFUL.

St. Johns

August 3, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Newfoundland

We arrived at St. Johns yesterday afternoon and what a beautiful entrance! High cliffs and colorful houses.

This is a really pretty city, it’s small, clean and friendly people. We actually haven’t seen this many people since leaving the States over a month ago. We have constant looks at the boat and are glad we have side curtains. I was asked by a woman yesterday if I could heat up her coffee yesterday evening, strange people.

Today we caught the bus to the GEO center where we learnt about the earth, the titanic and growing plants. I think the girls really enjoyed themselves and maybe soaked up about 11% of the information.

We are here during Newfoundland’s heat wave. It has been about a week of 30+ degree weather and none of the stores have air-conditioning. The boat is stinking hot and I’m ready to jump in the water….. maybe not, I think it needs to get a little hotter.

Pri is upset that we didn’t get her a dress at the store. This picture goes out to my sister Heidi who wants a Newfoundland dog. Heid they’re as big as a pony!!! Wish I could have taken a picture of a real one for you, we’ve only seen one and I didn’t have my camera.

Pri still upset that we didn’t get her a dress at the store

The houses here are super cute and all different colors

Bus ride to the GEO center.

ey-by

August 3, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: boat baby, Kids, Newfoundland, Sailing

“ey-by, wareyat?”

“Dis-issit”

English translation:

“Hey there, what have you been up to”

“Pretty much what you see here”

I understand, really I do….. I understand that you DON’T understand because it’s TOTALLY NOT English. Probably closer to Irish but I think the Irish would have a hard time understanding these bys (boys).

We met Sharon and Craig off SV View Finder that have been teaching us and the girls a bit of Newfie lingo. I think as long as you say a word as fast as you can and miss every second vowel you’ll be good to go. Oh yeah and call everyone a boy (by). I would love to tape some of the conversations we have with the locals, especially the fisherman. We just nod, agree and hope not to offend anybody. We might as well be in China with this language barrier. It’s not really that bad.

We will be in St. Johns for a day or so and hopefully I’ll get to meet up with a friend I made in Japan. It’s a big world but really it’s only as big as you make it.

The kids are growing up in leaps and bounds. Pri is learning to help out more by helping with lines and washing dishes. Wags seems to be getting shyer with strangers but is giving her imagination a good work out these days. Our little man is rolling over, yes it is possible with all that fat. He’s such a happy baby, all smiles and rarely cries even when the girls stick their fingers in his eyes – what are sisters for.

Above: Catalina, NL

Who doesn’t love a good princess puzzle?

….. not another iceberg

July 25, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Newfoundland, Sailing

We are on the lovely little island of Fogo. We arrived not long ago and went out for a quick meal. Lasagna, it’s been forever since I’ve had lasagna. It rained while we ate and the girls jumped in every puddle they could find back to the fishing wharf where we’re docked. Not much has happened since my last post.

We spent a few days in St. Anthony doing laundry and grocery.. the usual. We met a great bunch of pohm’s and an odd Scott on SV Novara. I always feel a little homesick around the English (and of course Australians) I guess it’s the same humor and they always get what I’m talking about. The boys were a big hit with the girls and we were even invited on their boat for lot and LOTS of orange juice and chocolate. Every morning I had to throw my arm over to Carl side of the bed to make sure it was still warm and that he hadn’t in fact jumped ship and headed north with the boys. Thanks fellas and good luck with the Northwest Passage.

We also met Steve Sheppard, Hauna and their two lovely boys. Steve took us on a moose hunt around St. Anthony where we spotted a mumma and baby moose. Missed out of the photo but it’ll be stuck in my memory banks forever. Hauna also made us the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted. Thanks guys for your great hospitably and rocking iceberg picture!

From St. Anthony we sailed to Conche where we rafted up along side of some fishing trawlers and I swear half the town came down to greet us. Nothing like waking up smelling like yesterdays catch! Ewww. La Scie what our next port where we barley made it off the dock. Town was far away and we were all so tired after a long run. We planned on leaving out early in the morning but I got up at 7am and found the rest of the crew still asleep. Tonight we find ourselves on Fogo Island. It is known for being one of the four corners of the earth. Totally gorgeous here, we’ll spend tomorrow doing laundry and grocery shopping.

Here are some shots from the last few days….

Nightline visits Salty

July 13, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: bahamas, boat baby, Kids

We were contacted quite a while ago by ABC’s Nightline to see if they could fly in and do a piece on our family. I was very hesitant at the start and of course Carl talked me into it. I was so scared that they would be very critical of us, our boat and how we raise our kids. But the more we spoke with them the more I realized that they were after a story that was more about the positive aspects of raising kids on a boat, so that was ok with me. We were still a little nervous trusting them when editing the footage and knowing it would air without us seeing the final product. There were many times that we didn’t even realize they were filming us.

Ben and Reena were onboard for 2 days, including a sleepover – brave, brave people! Big thanks to them for producing this small snip it on our life that we can keep forever.

ABC News | ABC Sports News

I hope the Kaufmans and the rest of the live aboard community sees that we did this in support of them not to be TV superstars. It’s a chance in a lifetime to have the experience of a news crew onboard and to be able to keep this footage to share with all our family and friends. It was a fun and exciting time.

we have arrived

July 13, 2014 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Newfoundland, Sailing

2 days ago we arrived in Newfoundland and how amazing it is. It’s like a completely different world. The people, the ocean, the land, it’s all so raw, honest and pure. No McDonalds in sight, people fishing for a living and unspeakable wildlife.

On the way over from Nova Scotia we followed a pod of killer whales and saw a gigantic prehistoric looking turtle, totally amazing.

Big thanks to Krista-Lee who came over with us from Sydney NS, our trip was so much more pleasurable with her. I don’t think she had the time of her life with screaming kids but it was definitely an experience.

We spent the second night tied up against a fishing wharf in Little Port where we went on the most beautiful trail up into the hills that I’ve ever seen. Highly recommend coming here when cruising through. Even though the sign said $5 for transient boats we paid nothing for our stop over.

Today we dropped off Krista-Lee in Corner Brook to catch a bus back to the ferry then on to Nova Scotia. The lengths she travelled to help us out! Thank you Krista-Lee!

Carl had his first and maybe last moose burger tonight, I wasn’t game enough to take a bite out of Bullwinkle. He said it was different but good.

Tomorrow we hope to pick up some fresh produce and continue our journey north in search of an iceberg and a moose (preferably alive!)