My armpits are sore in places I didn't even know I had armpits, thanks to a totally glorious and totally exhausting weekend class we just took called Start Yachting.
But I can't really choke back the bile regarding the use of "yachting" as a verb, so I prefer to think of this more as Start Absconding Via Sailboat to Tiny Island Nations in the Middle of the Pacific.
On a very practical level, this meant spending 2.5 days on a 40-foot boat in the Ijsselmeer, a large, windy, lovely ocean-turned-lake (see ambitious engineering of the Dutch, early 20th century) within sailing distance of Amsterdam.
Other than having to negotiate a complicated and congested system of locks in one of Amsterdam's busiest waterways while steering a 40-foot boat for the first time, it was a perfectly lovely, relaxing, sunny weekend out on the water.
Vanuatu, here we come!
I was actually a little surprised that the pictures above don't involve you wearing navy piped jackets, ascots, and deck shoes, given the class's title.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly: is there not some obscure Dutch multi-level system of yachting certification? Surely they don't allow just anybody on the waterways?
Oh, fear not, astute Katie: after 2.5 days on the water, we're about 1/73 of the way through a multi-level system of yachting certification. And in order to wear the outfits, we first have to get an ascot diploma.
ReplyDeleteThis whole business about the locks was the result of our crazy instructor saying, "hey Autumn, wanna steer?"
Whew! This looks so much better than I had envisioned. It even has the look of southern California about it! So glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Not everyone can say the navigated the locks in/near Amsterdam! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how your arm pits got sore while you were yachting!
ReplyDeleteJAK