It’s safe to say that I’ve fallen very comfortably into the routine of being here alone. It’s so quiet and peaceful, and the day spans out further than usual, it seems, since my periods of productivity are so much more efficient. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you aren’t stopping to tend to things such as… other people. I miss them, of course, but it’s been so fun to experience the boat this way, and to go about the daily doings myself.
Andy and I are a great team onboard, and the division of labor is not entirely rigid, but pretty much set based on our individual habits and interests. Knowing that I was about to take on his ‘particular set of skills’ as well, you’d have thought that I’d have wanted to do so while he was here, to ensure I had the motions down. (For some things I did, but others, I thought that I should enjoy his assistance while I had it.) Now, of course, it’s all me. Though I’m not sure how long it would take me to start talking out loud to myself (I think a while, but family members weighing in say it’d be imminent), I do give myself a little chuckle every time I have to do something (rotate the solar panel, for one) that was one of ‘his tasks’ and I think, to no one, “I’ll get it!”, in the mock-exasperated tone of my imagination.
Three days in and they’re all securely my chores, and I enjoy most all of them. (Ask me where this status stands if and when I have to replace the macerator pump at any time, as it’d be bound to change.) As mentioned earlier, I’m also really enjoying the productivity level, and I’ve worked my way through my to-do list pretty quickly. I’ve also had time to talk some nice walks on the beach, I’ve read with the waves lapping at my ankles, I’ve lounged by the pool (got to get that ‘shower’ in!), and I’ve done admittedly as little socializing as possible to achieve ‘good neighbor’ status while also not really having to talk to people. (I can see our retirements years already – Andy, leader of the various harbor social clubs and me, holed up down below happily playing solitaire.)
Solo routine found, and now today is the day my girlfriend arrives, which is actually perfect. A friend of ours did a solo Atlantic crossing years ago and spent something like twenty-days at sea before coming into port. A few minutes at the bar had his skin crawling with the experience of human interaction, and made him realize that perhaps he had grown a little too comfortable being alone. While I’m obviously not anywhere near that situation, I can see myself going there very quickly and easily. (And here I thought it was Lily who wanted to be a hermit and live alone in the woods- maybe it’s been me all along!)
But really though, the next phase of fun begins, and I’ve been planning around the forecast to give us a fun series of places and activities to enjoy between here and Green Turtle. I kind of feel like a kindergartener at Show & Tell, so I hope I don’t overwhelm her with the “And this is another favorite, and this, next we should…”.
I’ll get a ferry to go meet her later this morning, but first I’ll finish a sewing project and tend to the daily chores. And someone needs to adjust the solar panel. I guess I’ll get it!
