The ski season is done. I can now start concentrating on getting retired and packed! What a great season it’s been, spent with the best people around. Leaving them and the mountain in April is always bittersweet but I know from previous experience that when I see them again in December it’ll be like no time has passed. We’ll ask how our summer was, we’ll say you look great, we’ll complain/cheer about the snow and then go for coffee after two runs.

Preparations for leaving to the UK are well underway. I’ve got several mounds of clothes and electronics ready to sort through and squeeze into not enough suitcases. I’ve got tickets to the Crick Boat Show (and a tenting site). I’ve got a broker keeping an eye out for likely boats, and I’ve got a few that I want to see right away. If they’re still available, that is. They are still coming on the market regularly but selling just as quickly. I’m hopeful that I’ll find something in a reasonable amount of time.

Leaving work will be equally bittersweet. Not seeing those people (more of the best in the world) or going to sea is a tough one. I’ve not just worked with many of them, I’ve lived with them, sometimes for weeks at a time at sea. In quite closes quarters as well. I feel very close to them, and wish them all well in the future. Seriously, Good Luck in the government! I hope and plan to keep in touch with most. At least the cafeteria is open to the public, I can still drop by (but I’m NOT getting a visitor’s pass, and I’m parking wherever the hell I feel like).

Just a note, I’ve started a Facebook page for more immediate posting. It’s Canuck OnTheCut. Nothing there yet but I think it’s supposed to populate with blog posts (and I’ll be adding stuff as it happens).

Thanks for signing up, I like feeling like we’re still in touch!

Someone once told me that pounds were hard to shed. In fact, right now they’re hard to acquire! Not hard so much as expensive. Sort of like a backwards mail-order diet plan. Wow, the Canadian dollar is tanking compared to the pound. Oh well, I’m sure it’ll go the other way someday. Hopefully not when I’m selling the boat but…whatever.

So, after lots of back and forth in my mind, I finally decided to exchange about half of what I’ll need. I figure I’ll average up (or down) and just hope for the best. It’ll make a significant difference what boat I’m able to buy so if any of my friends that want to come and enjoy the canals with me are disappointed about sleeping on the floor of the lounge, sorry!

This has been the most ‘exciting’ part so far (read: stressful). Waiting on hold while watching the value of the Canadian dollar drop by the minute isn’t a great way to spend a morning. Especially when it’s sunny out and skiing is awesome. I did manage to get some good runs in and visit with friends (pub time). So with this life, there’s no complaining allowed, right? (see Jenny, I heard you!).

Now when exchanging money, here’s what I’ve learned… Don’t worry too much about getting a great rate! It’ll be what it is. I lost a bunch of money by waiting too long, but it could have easily gone the other way. Unless you’re an expert on global financial matters and world politics, there’s almost no way of knowing. Having said that, I have checked forecasts from various banks and financial experts and they all seem to agree that things will just be getting worse through 2018. So that’s why I’m starting converting now. I’ve left some in case the upcoming EU council meeting (Mar. 22) changes things for the better. Can’t get too much worse! (I know, yes it can). Now I’m changing my boat search parameters to lower numbers.

So, the die is cast. Retirement is set, April 17 is the fateful last day of gainful employment. And flights to the UK booked for May 4. No going back, no winding hole up ahead! I’m excited and nervous at the same time, as with most big adventures. I’m sure it’s the right thing, there’s no regret or second thoughts (yet) but it’s still a big step. I’m having the most trouble with the thought of no longer going to sea! I’ve spent the last 32 years planning my life around the several weeks (or months) each year that I was away. It was an amazing career, full of good friends, good times, good research. I will certainly miss the people the most. Hopefully some of them will come and join me on the canals, I’m only looking at boats that sleep at least four people…hear that you guys?

I think the die is cast, resignation is submitted. Once it is accepted, I can start the retirement procedures and the path to the rest of my life. It’s certainly not the way I wanted to leave my career of 33 years, but it’ll do. I have plans, I have dreams, I have ideas. What more do I need?

For the narrowboat readers, I’ll be looking for a 50-60’ boat. I’ve made my first serious overtures to brokers in England to start looking for an acceptable boat. I’ve not decided about lots of details; trad or semi-trad? Cruiser? Reverse layout? So many decisions and options. I know what I’d like but don’t want to limit myself too much until I can actually get aboard  a few boats. Some things I really do want include sleeping space for at least 4 people. I want some of my Canadian friends to come and visit! A dinette would be great  (and usually easily makes into a bunk for two). Additionally, not crazy about a walk-through bathroom, would look seriously at reverse layout, solar power is a plus, and central heating (including water heating) is a must.

I’ve been having a blast with Canalplan.eu! I have no idea how realistic the cruising times are but I at least have a good idea how far I can cruise over the season. Some things have been eliminated from the plan, some added. I’ll share more down the road…or down the canal I suppose.

Okay, here we go. As this is a new blog, you won’t know me. Here’s some of my story…

As mentioned in the first blog, I’m a soon-to-be retired oceanographer. I’ve had a great time but now want to start something new. I spent considerable time and energy researching sailing in the Mediterranean, but that didn’t pan out. It sounds like a wonderful life but the paperwork and hassle involved were horrendous! First and foremost, the Schengen Area rules don’t permit a Canadian (or most other non-Schengen individuals) to stay more that 90 days out of 180. There are very limited ways to change that. None, actually, for me. This would mean I’d have to move out of the EU area for 90 days every 6 months. The options of where to go are somewhat limited, most of them being kind of sketchy (North Africa, Turkey, etc.). Nothing against those countries, I’m just a bit chicken around AK47s.

Plus, if I was to get my boat over there, after 18-24 months I’d have to pay VAT on it (about 20% of it’s value). That’s a lot. For me, at least… Add to that the cost of getting it there. Even sailing it around from the west coast of Canada (which would likely take over a year in order to avoid hurricanes etc.), the outfitting and rigging would be expensive. Shipping it would also be prohibitively expensive on my pension.

So, what’s the alternative? The thought of a canal cruise in England was always in the back of my mind. When I started looking into it, I realized this might be what I wanted to do instead of the Med! Relaxed, no serious danger of dying, beautiful scenery, lots of pubs, and something I can afford. Oh, did I mention lots of pubs?

Hence, I’m preparing for my narrowboat adventure. Here comes A Canuck on the Cut!

My adventure on the British canal system, aboard a ‘narrowboat’ will be almost entirely new to me. I’ve been boating most of my life, including having lived aboard my 12m sailboat for a year. My whole career as an oceanographer has, obviously, been focused on the ocean. Now, I’m embarking on a different type of ‘sailing’. A narrowboat is a very specific design for use on the canals of Great Britain. As the name implies, they’re very narrow (under 7 feet wide) to allow access to the locks and waterways built throughout the country in the 18th and 19th centuries. I’ll discuss the history of the canals and locks in upcoming blogs as I encounter them.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The next few months or so will be focused on researching this adventure. I need to investigate the immigration rules (as a Canadian in Britain), the purchasing and tax rules, find a boat and buy it, and actually retire. Not necessarily in that order! It’s a whole new direction for me so there will be a learning curve like no other. I’m excited about it and looking forward to sharing the experience.

Stay tuned!