Jason Lawrence and his family are still away on their mission to circumnavigate the globe in their boat, Pegasus. But he had a few moments to talk to us and tell us how they are all getting on...
When did your journey start?
We bought our Catamaran, Pegasus, in November 2007. I sailed her from New Hampshire to the Chesapeke where she had a refit. I joined her in February 2008 and Amanda and the boys joined in March 2008 in Charleston South Carolina. We sailed down the intercoastal waterway to Florida then over to the Bahamas. In May 2008, we left the Bahamas bound for England via the Azores to see if we could sail as a family and if we liked it. We loved it so much we packed up the house, sold the cars and left Cowes on Sept 21st 2008 bound for Northern Spain, then Madeira, Canaries, the Caribbean and onto Panama, the Canal and Pacific.
Has it changed the dynamics of your family?
Yes. It has brought us closer, it has given us all a greater understanding of the needs and wants of each member of the family. Because we do things together, we have a common bond of our experiences. That said, we are all individuals and I'm sure that in the future when we spend time apart the strong family bond will survive. I certainly love watching my boys grow and develop. I am also glad that I will have someone to share these memories with in later life.
What do you feel you've learnt?
I've learnt to look at life in many different ways. Sometimes the prescribed wisdom is not what it seems.
And how have the children taken it?
Oh, terrible. They just hate being with their parents, swimming with Manta Rays, diving off the boat into turquoise water, playing on the beach with other children, learning new skills. No, I just don't think they know life in a different way. OK, JJ misses some of his friends from Cowes, but Louis didnt really have any. I guess they would like a big TV, but they've never had one of those anyway (they have a 7" DVD player). It makes a trip to radio rentals like going to the Odeon in Leicester Square!
And your wife?
Yep, hates it too! Fed up with all that swimming, different cultures, different experiences. Hates all the different shopping styles and price structures. I guess life would be easier with a TV, washing machine and vacuum cleaner, but I think we all agree that this life is better than living in a box. Our lives are full of adventure and change. Ok, its not easy, sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes scary, sometimes frustrating, and we all miss our parents and friends. But it is exciting and varied; we go where we want, wind and weather allowing.
High points of the trip so far?
High spots for me are usually after extreme stress, such as arriving in Perth after rounding Cape Leuwin, or making Cartagena in Columbia. The worry and exposure is relieved and a euphoria takes over, albeit short-lived. Other high spots have been watching JJ dive to a depth of 5 meters and pick up starfish, and Louis jump off the 5 meter diving board in Panama (at 2 years old) after his brother had done it. I love watching the boys push their boundaries and develop their skills.
Low points?
I think when it's rough weather. Sometimes you just have to take it and it can be quite miserable. If we have been at anchor and then we have a rough passage the boys can be quite sick. It's not much fun. Amanda may feel sick too but she has to look after the boys while I have to look after the boat. It's tiring for all of us but usually doesn't last long. I of course am always worried about Pegasus and the integrity of our home in dangerous conditions. I have only had one occasion where I really thought, 'what the hell am I doing here with my wife and children? This is no place for children,' and that was when we were on passage to Columbia with huge seas and howling winds. We all made it without incident though.
What are your plans for re-entry and how hard will it be to adjust?
Well that's a big question. Once the tracks have been crossed and we have achieved our objective of a circumnavigation then we must sit down and have a little chat. I think that we may be ready for a change and that a spell ashore would be good, who knows? We haven't been ashore for 2 years now, so it looks attractive. How it'll be when we get back I don't know. I really like the people we meet cruising. They are a different breed: all accomplished and interesting, some with huge boats, some with small boats, all pursuing a dream. I think I'll miss that social contact more than anything. On shore, social society is predefined by your neighbourhood. Different entry levels give you different qualities of life, and social contact. People are corralled and defined by their salaries and house prices. I think that we will approach life with a new paradigm and that will make it interesting, and hopefully more rewarding.
Do you have a desert island disc?
Nina Simone, 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free.'
What would you say to someone considering taking their family on a similar adventure?
I would definitely recommend following your dreams before it's too late. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow!
