Tis the season...

While I lie in bed after an exhausting [what feels like a full 24 hour working day] with what I can only imagine as insomnia which is most annoying as usually after a day on charter I’m dead as soon as my head hits the pillow. But never the less I thought it to be a good time to catch up on some of my encounters lately. A little list of what I have learned in the last few months whilst working in the confines of a Super-Duper yacht [Couldn’t help myself].

So here we go:

1.     No matter what … schnitzel trumps all.

2.     In yachting you sometimes have to deal with people who have the I.Q of a baguette and the manners of a steaming turd and you have to just ‘smile and wave’ no matter what.

3.     No matter how tired you are, one glass of rose after work and I’m good to go J

4.     In the words of my Chief Stu “There is NO such thing as a skid free day”.

5.     I am hugely grateful for the seat in my shower.

6.     Charters are like giving birth [hear me out] you hate every minute of it but as soon as its over and your tip is in hand and your sitting in the sink [instead of washing up in the sink] and sipping on a jug of mango daiquiri’s - you forget it all.

7.      I have now found that there is a time frame in life for how much fun bunk beds can be. Its now.

8.     Weighing yourself whilst at sea is both terrifying and wonderful all at the same time.

9.     Your not an alcoholic if you call it ‘tea’ and drink it out of a mug.

10. No matter how hard you try you will somehow either work with or for someone who makes you query a countries education system. All I have to learn now is to just get on with it ;)

11. People running into glass doors = still funny.

12. Chewing chips with earplugs in will blow your mind how loud it is – you must give it a try.

I find myself laughing at the peaks and troughs of yachting as it is truly a wonderful, painfully frustrating, exciting adventure that reminds me how lucky I am to be living life to the fullest, taking what I want from it and getting bucket loads extra along the way.

Keep on smiling – life is just too damn short not love even the shitty bits. J

Bye for now,

Sleep deprived STU

XoXo

Little piece of Provençal paradise

Ahhh 

I was lucky enough to visit the Gorge Du Verdon region in Provence and holy batman was I blown away! From the gorgeous poppy fields to the never-ending vineyards to the most picturesque little towns you only see in ancient movies. It was an absolutely fabulous adventure. We arrived at our reasonable hotel right on the water of Lake Sainte Croix and decided that a day of excursions just wasn’t for us and cracked open a few bottles of rose in the baking sun while we munched on some olive bread, fig jam, camembert and froie groie. I think I could have died and gone to heaven.

Our very special friends gorgeous home.

We stayed in a tiny town called Les Salles Du Verdon and it was just perfect. There was nothing in front of us but lake and sky, a few minutes walk from our terrace and we were at the waters edge contemplating jumping into the icy water. A few minutes drive from our little hotel was a road down to the lake where we hired a ‘pedalow’ [ I know it looks misspelt but I like it that way] from a bunch of lovely hippes. As we pedalowed [also looks horrifically misspelt] under the bridge flashing the good ol ‘peace sign ‘ to the Asian tourists [not a lie or being rude, fact] we past lovely French families holidaying and just relaxing as we squeaked past them [we happened to get the only pedalow in dire need of oiling, ruining the serenity somewhat].

[Our hotel was called Auberge Des Salles and was great value for what we had ]

We then drove up a few more kilometres to Moustier, which was having a medieval fair on that was so festive and full of life it was wonderful. A must here is their honey – it is to die for. One strange thing to try look out for is that when we arrived at 2 and tried to have lunch, everywhere closed at 2? I know France has their own working hours to the rest of the world but a handy tip when your travelling and famished.

 I would definitely suggest visiting all the little villages along the way. Take the touristy route and you feel like your driving through ancient times where castles and knights and wagons [Almost Game of Thrones type stuff – but in France]. Oh but be sure to bring cash with you as most places we went didn’t take debit cards, we almost had to do a runner after a bite of a sandwich eek!

I know your thinking its probably a mission to trek out to the lake but it was an hour and half from Nice and two hours door to door so even for a quick weekend break its worth it.

  

I couldnt resist.

I definitely plan on going again so if you know of great little spots around there – share your stuff with me!

Till my next Provencal adventure!

Bisous

Stu

Medieval games - SUCH FUN!

Lights, Camera....Photo-bomb *

SO as you know Cannes Film festival was a few weeks ago and although we didn’t have a charter or guests on we did get to sit out at anchor [BLEH] and watch as everyone else had celebrity parties. What fun I tell ya. Ha ha, no but I thought id give you a little insight for all those people who think its just famous people walking around at all times in Cannes.

Its really just chaos, Cannes is packed with tourists hoping to see Leo [first name basis], then there are the paparazzi people swarming every restaurant, pub or café. You will certainly know where a celeb is but there is not a chance in hell you will see them over that crowd. Then all the roads are  closed so getting there is a nightmare and even the trains will drive you mad [hang on, that’s normal for French trains]. The crew who work on these huge yachts get a few celebs but then again their boats are sooo big they never get into port so it’s a lot to give up for saying you served Brad a glass of Perrier.

 I wondered around town for a bit trying to find a celeb or two to give the ‘Film Fest’ the ol stamp – I’ve done it, but then I was just too intimidated by the crowds and the wannabees. So we picked a cute little café on the edge of the barriers and had a lovely bottle of rose and watched as people continually failed to find those celebrity encounters or even better those girls who dress up like models to be discovered and yet once past the hussle and bussle they put on their slops and harrumphed home.

I did however manage to see ol Nicole Kidman as she strolled past me to get to her tender. Little did she know I too was waiting for my tender to fetch me and Kat [Chief STU] to take us back to our home [a super duper yacht]. Minor details that I would be ironing all day or scrubbing the loo where she would be dining on caviar and Crystal. I did manage to photo bomb her as I lunged sideways to get into the shot [and get a better look myself]. So keep your eyes peeled folks – my 10 seconds of fame may still be coming!

So if your ever planning on spending your hard earned savings on hitting the Cannes Film Festival, my advice would be spend it on Rose and a Deck chair at the beach.  Life is just too damn short to spend wasted moments waiting for a glimpse of Brangelina. After all you’re the lead role in your own little hit show!

So till my next celebrity photo-bomb – By for now

Stu

Xx

A real-life-grown up you say?

Genoa Boat show antics !!!

I am ashamed to say it but its been over three months since my last blurb on here and to say “sorry” just wouldn’t quite DO. So instead ill continue on as if nothing ever happened :)

So whilst I obviously wasn’t writing for your amusement or entertainment I was ‘living’. Not only was I living, I was becoming a grown up – yup a real life grown up. I bought a house [well we bought a house], or shall we say the bank owns 80% of a house we love – better. Yes I’m as shocked as you all are, I thought I would always be rocking my way through place to place without owning any of it. Now I have some land to call my own – exciting.

So I am now allowed to join in on those hideous conversations about bond repayments and interest rates and fixed or floating loans. To say I understand these terms would be a blatant lie, I simply pay when asked – simple. The way I like it. I am however intimidated by the 30-year pay off plan – who came up with that shocking idea? I have always been too terrified to sign up to a cell phone contract for two years let alone a 30-year one. It should really say “till you die”, or what about until they forget about it like those “I owe you” notes that eventually get forgotten about, I think id prefer that thanks, a little note written by me saying “I owe you … a whole bunch of bloody money” and after say 5 years we both forget about it - perfect.

Let me take this opportunity to say I’m open to taking handouts and gifts in the form of beds, cups and linen, lamps or even Tupperware, hell throw in a curtain or two. But please ship it directly to New Zealand as the Land of the Long White Cloud will be my new home when we decide to leave the ‘magnum bottles of rose and free toiletries’ yachting life behind.

Some entertainment for the crew!

Now that you mention yachting life, im still here slinging the ‘ol hoover around and ironing up a storm :) We actually just did the Genoa Boat Show which was fabulous – it’s a freebies paradise. My cabin is filled with enough pens, mints, sweeties, lanyards, t-shirts and hats that a girl could ever need. Id have to say the best freebie would have to be the clip on foldable plastic water bottle – or a rose cooler, as I use it. They know their target audience.

For those who don’t know what a boat show is [which was me before this one] it’s a week of brokers viewing the boat all day for their clients. Then after 5 it’s closed and all the stalls [usually fine wine and food suppliers] have parties with fab music and loads of free food and drinks for crew [me]. I know there is more to it than that but that’s all you need to know really.

Not too much movement planned from my side yet this summer but ill keep you in the loop [could you even trust me?] with some more weird and fabulous adventures or places I come across.

Till then

XX

Bisous

The quirky Genoa!

Fantasy-life in Monaco

Monaco or as my folks like to say MonAAAAAAco, was always on my wish list of places to go as a kid. The movies make it out to be this magical paradise where only the finest, richest of tax evaders can call home. So when I moved to Antibes only a mere 55minute train ride away from this lush little principality, I could not have been happier. Then I got a job where the boat would be based out of Monaco and then I knew I was winning.

Until I got there.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a pretty little town tucked into a gorgeous coastline that I love dearly but it is nowhere near a paradise. It is occupied by wealthy, bored, and arrogant people who feel their passports set them aside from anyone else. There is nothing here, no restaurants worth visiting, no bars worth enjoying, its beach is poor especially when one train stop away you have Plage Mala [my favourite beach after Plett].

It is worth a look for an hour or so then move on to the best beaches, bars and culture in the world. But if you insist on spending some time here head up on a great walk to the top of the town to some gorgeous views of the French Riviera, stroll up to the castle and walk around the gardens up there, have a drink at Brasserie on the famous chicane in the grand prix and watch as every car over a few million bob roars past you. If you plan on sticking out in Monaco… drive an Uno Turbo – you’ll turn some heads :)

Here are some snaps from our most recent stroll through this bizarre city where nothing ever feels quite real.

:)

BATH TIME ANYONE?

FAB OLD CAR

Genoa... A surprisingly amazing city

Here is a little snap shot into my two months in Genoa strolling through the quirky and full of character Italian town.

Til my next adventure!