Adventure On Deck

In this episode, my son Jack joins me to examine The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, a Roman scholar living just after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE. A renaissance man before the Renaissance, Boethius translated Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato, served as a trusted aide to the Gothic king Theodoric in Ravenna, and was a mathematician, astronomer, and family man whose sons became consuls in their early 20s. Despite his Christian faith, tensions with the Arian Theodoric led to his imprisonment and brutal execution at 44. This tragedy tarnished Theodoric's rule, but Boethius' legacy shaped medieval thought, preserving Greek philosophy and influencing giants like Chaucer, Dante, Aquinas, and Shakespeare.Written in a cell awaiting death, The Consolation of Philosophy is a profound dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy. Divided into five books, it blends prose (prosa) and poetry (metrea), offering wisdom through a narrative arc. Book One introduces Boethius' despair; Book Two explores Fortune's fickleness; Book Three seeks the highest Good; Book Four tackles the problem of evil; and Book Five reconciles divine foreknowledge with free will. The poems, rich with mythological and Biblical imagery, provide emotional breaks and reinforce the prose's insights. As C.S. Lewis noted, this work was beloved by educated Europeans for centuries.Boethius weaves Neoplatonism, Stoicism, and Aristotelian ideas into a Christian framework. Lady Philosophy echoes Plato's belief in innate knowledge, urging Boethius to “dream of your origin,” and champions philosopher-kings. Stoic themes emerge as she declares the mind free despite bodily exile, while Aristotle's Unmoved Mover aligns with Boethius' God. The concept of exile as a spiritual crisis resonates, connecting Boethius to figures like Odysseus and Dante.Jack and I discuss whether this is a satire, and how much both of us love Boethius as a character in his own novel.The Ignatius Press edition, translated by Scott Goins and Barbara Wyman, shines with clear prose, excellent footnotes, and quality paper—perfect for annotating. This book demands a reread and sparks a reading list including Chaucer, Milton, and C.S. Lewis' The Discarded Image. Join us! I think this book is for everyone, but even if you think, "Maybe not for me," you'll know what it's about and why it matters.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for Sun Tzu's The Art of War and The Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate -

In this episode of Crack the Book, we take a look at Week Fourteen of Ted Gioia's Humanities Course, covering Virgil's The Aeneid (Books 1–2), Ovid's Metamorphoses (Book 1), and selections from The Portable Roman Reader. The focus is on key texts from Roman literature, their historical context, and their connections to earlier Greek works, providing an overview of their content and significance.Key Discussion Points: Virgil's The Aeneid (Robert Fagles' Translation): Written between 29–19 BCE, The Aeneid serves as Rome's foundational epic, modeled on Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Book 1 opens with Aeneas, a Trojan survivor, shipwrecked on Carthage's shore due to Juno's interference, meeting Queen Dido, an exile from Tyre. Book 2 recounts Troy's fall, including the Trojan Horse stratagem and Aeneas' escape with his father Anchises and son Ascanius, losing his wife Creusa. The text emphasizes Aeneas' pietas (duty to gods, family, state). Divine rivalries, notably Juno's grudge from the Judgment of Paris and Venus' protection of Aeneas, drive the narrative. The Fagles translation includes maps and a glossary for accessibility. Ovid's Metamorphoses (David Raeburn's Translation): Composed around 8 CE, Metamorphoses is a 15-book poem chronicling transformations from creation to Ovid's era. Book 1 covers the creation of the cosmos from Chaos, the division into four elements (fire, water, earth, air), and humanity's decline from the Golden to Iron Age. It includes a flood narrative with Deucalion and Pyrrha and the story of Io, transformed into a cow by Jupiter to evade Juno. The Raeburn edition organizes vignettes with titled sections for clarity. The Portable Roman Reader (Basil Davenport, Ed.): Published in 1951, this anthology includes poetry from Rome's Republic, Augustan, and later Empire periods. Catullus (c. 60s–50s BCE) offers direct, personal verses, translated by Byron. Horace (65–8 BCE) writes complex, philosophical odes, less accessible due to style. Martial (c. 38–104 CE) provides epigrams on public life, including two elegies for a deceased young girl. Davenport's notes contextualize each era, and the anthology features prose by Livy, Caesar, and Tacitus for future study. Contextual Notes: The texts reflect Rome's engagement with Greek literary traditions, adapting gods' names (e.g., Hera to Juno) and themes. The course's schedule prioritizes rapid coverage to identify key works and connections.Takeaways:I loved this week so much! It felt great to come "home" to Rome. I've got specific ideas about how to approach each of these books, but in my opinion they are all worth the time for certain people. The music was gorgeous, arias and overtures from Puccini and Verdi! You must listen...check out my link below. And the cave paintings were worth examining as well, especially the handprints from Indonesia. See that link below, too.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for WHATEVER IS NEXTLINKSTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)Spotify Play List of Puccini and Verdi without wordsCave...

The Honest Broker's Humanities Course shifts to the Middle East and Persia, exploring the Quran (circa 800 A.D.) and the 13th-century poet Rumi, before returning to Rome next week. The reading, kept under 250 pages, includes 14 of the Quran's 114 surahs (1-5, 12, 17, 18, 32, 36, 55, 67, 103, 112) and self-selected Rumi poems. New to both texts, I approached them with curiosity, trusting the curator's selection after prior Bible readings, but found the experience underwhelming.The Quran portrays Allah as focused on division between believers and unbelievers, with frequent mentions of hell for those lacking faith. Submission to Allah's will is paramount, and praying toward Mecca symbolizes spiritual alignment and community unity. The text excludes Jews from Abraham's promise if they do wrong, though some verses suggest salvation for believers, possibly including Jews and Christians. Jesus is depicted as a prophet, not divine, contrasting Christian beliefs. Allah seems to emphasize punishing unbelievers, with hell referenced often, and fasting is highlighted as a path to righteousness, noted during Ramadan.Familiar Biblical stories—Cain and Abel, Joseph, Moses—appear but differ from their older Genesis versions. Joseph, for example, is nearly perfect in the Quran, unlike the flawed figure in the Bible. The origins of these variations remain unclear after online research. Some Quranic verses, like “God does not burden any soul beyond its capacity” (Surah 2:286), contrast with Christian teachings, such as Galatians 6:2's call to “bear one another's burdens.”Rumi's poetry feels modern and dreamlike but elusive compared to upcoming Roman poets. Plans are in place to revisit Rumi when studying Dante, a contemporary. The Quran was read on a Kindle (Clear Quran translation), which hindered the experience due to reliance on spatial memory for physical books, making note-taking and recall difficult. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's music and Islamic architecture were briefly explored but felt overwhelming. Next week's reading covers Virgil's Aeneid (Books 1 and 2), Ovid's Metamorphoses (Book 1), and selections from Horace, Catullus, and Sulpicia in Davenport's Portable Roman Reader, with Verdi and Puccini arias and cave art.LINKSTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)Rumi's PoemsCONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

Can you be scandalized by a 2000-year-old book? I think I was with Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars, a gripping, gossipy account of the first twelve Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Written around 120 AD, Suetonius' work (part of The Honest Broker's “Humanities in 52 Weeks” list) blends history with salacious details, offering a vivid, if dark, portrait of power, excess, and moral decline. It's not exactly light beach reading but proved endlessly fascinating for its unapologetic dive into the personal lives of Rome's rulers.Suetonius, born around 70 AD to a Roman knight family, organizes the book into twelve biographies, which I've listed here for easy reference:Julius CaesarAugustusTiberiusCaligulaClaudiusNeroGalbaOthoVitelliusVespasianTitusDomitian. Notably, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, from the chaotic years of 68-69 AD, were barely recognized as emperors. Each biography sketches the ruler's family background, reign, military campaigns, and personal habits, with Suetonius excelling in the juicy details of their excesses. His vivid prose, like describing Caligula as transitioning from “emperor” to “monster,” reveals the depravity of unchecked power—think murders, incest, and shocking debauchery.The book's strength lies in its storytelling, but its darkness—wanton death, sexual depravity, and a lack of heroism—can be exhausting. The Roman people's hope for better rulers is repeatedly dashed, as seen when Caligula's assassination leads to Claudius, another cruel leader. The complex web of intermarriage and adoptions among the Julio-Claudians is dizzying, with family trees barely helping. Economically, Suetonius notes rising “value” in Roman real estate under Julius Caesar, missing that this was inflation driven by reckless state spending, a recurring issue that strained the empire and its people.Suetonius' perspective, shaped by living through Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian's reigns, adds depth, though his distance from earlier emperors allows for embellishment. This week's music was Mozart's symphonies 39-41, sweetness and light compared to Rome's darkness. This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for the Koran and the poems of Rumi.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)I misspoke! Gates of Fire was written by Steven Pressfield, not Victor Davis Hansen. Sorry about that!CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

Episode OverviewThis week, I consider the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and Epictetus' Enchiridion, part of Ted Gioia's Humanities List (link below!). Moving from Greek dramas to 2nd-century Roman Stoics, we first talk about the move from Greek lit to Roman, how the mindset and history will impact what we read. I cover Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus in depth, mention Admiral Stockdale (a modern Stoic) and end the episode with Rudyard Kipling's poem "If." Marcus Aurelius' MeditationsMeditations, the private journal of a Roman emperor, emphasizes self-focus, humility, and inner peace. Key takeaways include: Focus on your own mind and skills, not others' actions or opinions. Embrace nature to cultivate curiosity and appreciation for the world. Accept life's brevity and smallness, acting virtuously without expecting rewards. Find peace within, not in external escapes like vacation homes. Hold pleasures loosely to achieve contentment in the present moment.I note the surprising modernity of Aurelius' advice but question its contradictions, like the futility of life versus the call to virtue.Epictetus' EnchiridionEpictetus, a former slave turned philosopher, offers a direct, practical guide in The Enchiridion. I prefer Epictetus' straightforward style, finding it more relatable than Aurelius' introspections. Highlights include: Distinguish what harms the body from what affects the will—Epictetus' own lameness adds poignancy to this teaching. Know your limits and operate fully within them, committing wholeheartedly to your purpose. Avoid excess in speech, laughter, or indulgence, embracing simplicity.Consider the parallels to Biblical teachings like Colossians 3:17.Reflections and ChallengesI don't love Stoicism, as I think it sacrifices deep love and beauty. But there's no doubt that its ideals have a place in society--Stockdale and Kipling both reflect that. Translation struggles (George Long's arcane 1877 version versus Gregory Hays' readable Meditations) and time management issues due to travel delayed this week's reading. Classical music (Haydn's Symphonies 45, 94, and 104) enriched the experience, though I skipped the art.What's NextNext week, I explore Suetonius' Twelve Caesars with Mozart's symphonies and Italian art by Botticelli and Caravaggio. Subscribe to follow the journey! LINKSTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)Haydn's Surprise SymphonyAdmiral James StockdaleSpencer Klavan (Modern Classicist)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify -

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.Reading a familiar text in a bigger reading list like this offers its own special challenges. I start with a little insight about what to do when that happens.I think the best way to talk about these very familiar books is to take them one at a time. Then I have some thoughts about translations (again) and reading in general. Genesis: This is a much longer book than you think! The story starts out very broad and then narrows to tell how God decides to work through a man named Abram. We then see how God continues to work through now-Abraham's family, through Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. None of these men are perfect, or even very heroic except possibly Joseph, but God uses them anyway. Genesis is different than the other very old texts (religious and otherwise) we've read in this schedule, and it's certainly quite different than the Greek philosophy. We see a God who is personal and emotional, capable of anger and also great love, and who is both all-powerful and yet interested in every individual in the entire world.Ecclesiastes: This is a poem of sorts, and you definitely know part of it because of the Byrds' “Turn Turn Turn.” The main character, the Preacher (likely King Solomon), reflects at the end of his days on “What's it all for?” He never settles on a real answer but reflects on how to live, so in its themes it is a lot more like Plato or Aristotle. It's not didactic like Confucius' Analects. It feels a lot more like the Dhammapada, but less fatalistic and actually lovelier in its construction. I think the weariness of Ecclesiastes speaks to the human condition, common across time and geography.Matthew: The first Gospel opens with Jesus' genealogy through Joseph, and I think Matthew's emphasis as he relates the story of Jesus' life is on the fact that the very people who should have been most willing to hear the message did not. Matthew is rooted in Jewish scripture, continually quoting prophets as he relates Jesus' ministry. The book starts with three chapters known as the Sermon on the Mount, which is harder to read straight through than I expected. It is a lot of sayings and aphorisms, not a lot of story, and you know by now how I feel about that. The book then moves into more narrative as the miracles increase in type and scope, leading to the crucifixion. The teachings from Jesus and Matthew's own writing are aimed squarely at the Jewish leaders here, pointing out what they are missing and their refusal to see Jesus for who he is.Mark: This is the shortest Gospel, and I also think of it as the “immediately” Gospel. Mark uses that word at almost every transition from one scene to another, and it makes the book feel very action-oriented. I felt like Mark was sitting with me saying, “Let me tell you what happened!”Luke: Luke is not an eyewitness at all, and even opens the book up saying he has talked to lots of people so he can get an accurate history put down. Luke's always been my favorite for a variety of reasons...John: But I was wrong. John is the single best piece of writing I have read so far in this program. It is amazing. The entire book is crafted beautifully, and it's now my favorite Gospel. Also, it has the very best ending you could hope for. Read it.Romans: Okay, full disclosure, my Bible study group is doing Romans this year, walking slowly through Paul's longest letter. Coming to Romans after the previous readings, I was absolutely struck by the vigor of Paul's writing. It's energetic, masculine, wide-ranging and urgent. It is deeply personal in a way that none of the previous readings were. I loved reading it in one big chunk and offer reflections on how...

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.Ted listed SIX Greek dramas for this week: Bacchae (Euripides), Lysistrata (Aristophanes), Agamemnon (Aeschylus), and the three Theban plays from Sophocles, Oedipus the King, Oedipus in Colonus and Antigone. We discuss how to read drama in general. I tried to read a little bit of background on each play before I dove in. One thing that's easy to forget with Greek drama is that the audience didn't have any spoilers; they knew all of these stories really well. They were there to see HOW it came together. That meant that some of the plot gets treated with shorthand in some ways. I tried to figure out the major players, and how they might have interacted with characters I had met elsewhere. It's astonishing how all of these characters are connected by one or two degrees of separation. Bill and I joke that it feels exactly like when we moved to Charleston a couple of years ago. I swear that every person we meet knows someone else we know through one or two people. It's the strangest thing, and Greek drama is exactly like that.I also flag my books like crazy: one flag for the cast of characters; one for the endnotes; one for a map, even if it's in a different book. As a matter of fact, my Fagles translation of the Odyssey came in handy this week. Not only are there some great maps, there is also a glossary of all the proper names in the Odyssey. Many, many of the characters I came across this week also put in an appearance in the Odyssey.Finally, I kept a brief “plot summary” of each play as I read. Only Bacchae was divided into scenes, but for each play I tried to keep a brief synopsis of the action as I read. This kept me from mixing up characters too much, and also it helped me to get an idea of how the various stories fit together. In addition, I read out loud occasionally, especially if I found myself alone in the house. It's easy to lose the thread of some of these long passages, especially where the chorus has an extended explication of action taking place off stage. Reading out loud helped me capture the rhythm of the language and also the drama of it in a way that reading silently could never do.I started with Euripedes' Bacchae, translated by Paul Woodruff. To be honest, half the reason I bought this edition was that it had Elvis on the cover as Dionysus! Not long after the founding of Thebes, Dionysus appears to bring his cult to the city. Dionysus is a son of Zeus but also the grandson of the founder of Thebes, Cadmus. Dionysus' cousin Pentheus is now king, and he refuses to acknowledge the god-status of Dionysus. Let's just say Pentheus regretted that decision. This play was shockingly brutal to me, even though all the violence always takes place off-stage in a Greek drama. There are ideas of redemption, and lack of it, woven throughout the play. Bacchae left me curious about anything related to the practice of the cult of Dionysus. Apparently the rites were so secret that nothing, not one thing, survives to help us understand what they did.Next I read Aristophanes' Lysistrata. This is a comedy, truly a farce, whose entire plot revolves around the women of Greece coming together to deny all their men sex so they will quit fighting with each other. It is hilarious, and I'd love to see this one performed live. I love a good marriage quote:“No man can live a happy life unless his wife allows it.”—AristophanesHappily, I bought an edition of Lysistrata that also had three other plays translated by Aaron Poochigian. Clouds, in particular, is a send-up of Socrates and that one is...

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.This week's reading was the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Somehow I did not get Ted's recommended translation by Susan Hollis. Instead, I had the gigantic and very, very beautiful reproduction of the complete Papyrus of Ani. This edition had a huge influence on my week "in" Egypt.The Book of the Dead isn't really one book; at the time of its writing (around 1300 BC) it was common to have a papyrus scroll of spells and directions placed in the coffin with the deceased. In this case, the priest Ani had died and this is his scroll. There have been many such scrolls, and pieces of scrolls, found in various tombs across Egypt. Each section of the scroll contains a text that has, for modern purposes, been called a chapter. Many scrolls have many “chapters” in common, but so far no scroll has all of them. On top of that, the chapters can be in any order. The chapters (are they prayers? Spells? Opinions seem split.) are, for the most part, pretty obscure. We spend some time reading excerpts, just to get a sense of them. There really isn't a description of how a person might become “spiritualized” or “pure.” Everything is instruction for the dead in the afterlife.Here are a few more thoughts about this reading. It might seem a little random, but this reading felt a little random, too:Until the Rosetta Stone was found in 1820, the text was completely unknown. The guess was that it was a book of wisdom similar to our Bible. That's actually completely wrong—none of it is oriented toward the living. The text is all about the god Osiris, who was murdered, mourned and buried. Later myths tell of Osiris' resurrection. The vignettes are personalized, in this case for the priest Ani (and his wife Tutu).Burials apparently re-enacted the death of Osiris in ritual form, delivering the deceased to the point of the weighing of the heart. There are prayers to open the deceased's mouth, ears, and eyes in the afterlife, because all of these would be necessary to live there. There is debate whether the myth created the ritual, or did the burial ritual arise first, with the myth developing around it later to explain the actions? It's interesting to me that we can't know based on what the Egyptians left behind.Judgment in the afterlife is the literal weighing of the deceased's heart against a feather! (I would definitely not pass.) The feather is called a ma'at, and is “Truth” or “Rightful Order.” If you are found to have a light heart, you can pass to the good afterlife, the Field of Reeds.The heart is the single most important part of a person, living or dead. It's the engine of the body and the seat of both emotions and intelligence. In the afterlife it was very important not to lose your heart, even though it was now outside of your body thanks to the mummification process.The Egyptians saw death as the confrontation with nonexistence and irrationality. The goal of weight your heart was to travel as an akh, in the sun and in order. The Book of the Dead is a guide to thwart the chaos of the universe, and even the gods had to contend with that disorder.Words, images and reality were a unity in Egyptian thought. The images in the scrolls function as text, and all of it is real. In drawing or writing things, they take on reality. In fact, this was why defacing the name of a king would be regarded as a capital crime; it was no better than assaulting or murdering the king himself.Many gods are represented by animal faces or body parts. Interestingly, this wasn't meant to...

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.This week I tackled the Epic of Gilgamesh and also The Dhammapada. Gilgamesh was written in approximately 2000 BC, the oldest known story in the world, and is about 1500 years older than anything I've read to date. The Dhammapada is the oldest writings of the Buddha, from approximately 450 BC, which is a lot more in line with some of the other things I've been reading. I think it's important to note the relative ages of these works and know how they fit together. Gilgamesh was an actual, historical king of a Mesopotamian city called Uruk, around 2750 BC. The poem tells the story of how he angers the gods and then makes a best friend from a former wild man, Enkidu. They go rampaging, killing beasts for the sport of it, and that angers the gods. Enkidu is cursed and falls ill. When he dies, Gilgamesh is heartbroken and goes in search of a cure for his own mortality. He fails in that quest. Here are a few of my take-aways:The style of writing feels extraordinarily primitive to me. There is something very, very basic about the story, and many times it feels like it's written with the mindset of a sixth grade boy: lots of graphic talk about sex and body parts, and lots of bloody killing. Until the last part, there wasn't much nuance and there wasn't a lot of reflection on anyone's part.The Flood story is well-described here, lending credence to an actual, world-changing flood taking place at some point in history. The narrative of it is very interesting, especially the description of a square “boat” constructed and filled with pairs of animals.Book X is much more thoughtful than earlier sections. Gilgamesh is mourning his dead friend, searching for ways that he himself might become immortal. But the only immortal human tells him:Humans are born, they live, then they die, this is the order that the gods have decreed. But until the end comes, enjoy your life, spend it in happiness, not despair. Savor your food, make each of your days a delight, bathe and anoint yourself, wear bright clothes that are sparkling clean, let music and dancing fill your house, love the child who holds you by the hand, and give your wife pleasure in your embrace. This is the best way for a man to live.And that's what it comes down to. Man will always and forever struggle with his mortality. We have and we will. The oldest and most enduring story is about the oldest and most enduring question.There is just not a lot of man-woman romance in these old stories. Only Penelope and Odysseus come to mind in the last few weeks. Here, Enkidu is seduced by the temple prostitute but there's not much more mention of women than that. I was actually surprised to see a wife mentioned in the quote above!The Dhammapada reminded me very, very much of The Analects of Confucius (Week 4). Books of aphorisms are very hard to read in big chunks, as I've already noted. It's more a matter of scanning, trying to see how things fit together, if there are over-arching themes. I have a few thoughts here as well:Some of these sayings of Buddha are good sense, and we saw them in Confucius, and we see them in Proverbs. A wrongly-directed mind will do to you far worse than any enemy; a rightly-directed one will do you good.All the talk of “emptying” and forgetting the self is bleak to me. It's a completely different mindset from the Greek philosophy I've read until now. It's not Stoic; it's a kind of blankness, a rejection of self but not an embrace of anything else as far as I can tell. Reading...

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.An interesting combination this week. Ted Gioia, the creator of my reading list, called it “Love and War,” but it felt like a lot more than that. And last week, I called it a hodgepodge, but I can admit I was wrong.Plato's Symposium is the third of Plato's works on this list. After wrestling with Ethics in particular last week, I was happy to get back to my friend. Symposium is written as a dialogue among friends, recalled by one who wasn't there, a little like the game of “Telephone” we'e all played. The friends' topic? Love, specifically eros. Given that this is upper-class Ancient Greece, there is a significant discussion of love between men; honestly romantic love between men and women is practically ignored. The reading plan only covered a few portion of Herodotus' Histories, Books 1 and 6-8. For full disclosure, I did NOT complete the reading but stopped with Book 7. In my edition of Histories the assigned books were more than 350 pages and I simply ran out of time. If I had done all the reading this week I would have been around 430 pages! Given that I “signed up” for about 250 pages per week, I had to stop. Confession time over.As always, I have so many, many thoughts about these works. For Symposium, I summarized each person's eulogy as a way to get my hands around the text. A few ideas:Obviously Love held an important place in the lives of Greeks. This entire dialogue is centered around it, but it doesn't look like love in many ways. I'm accustomed to thinking of love as wanting and being willing to work for the best of your beloved, and that being mutual. That desiring “for” someone else, rather than merely desiring them, was absent at least as far as I could see.There are a number of points made about Love as the dialogue progresses, and they definitely don't agree. As always, you're left to parse out the better and worse arguments. “You complete me” (yes, Jerry Maguire) makes an appearance! That attitude has been around a looooong time. Aristophanes tells a long and pretty funny tale about how human beings were at one time two-headed, eight-limbed creatures, but when Zeus got mad and split everyone in two. Now we go around looking for our other half.Does Love motivate us to honor? What kind of Love would do that? Or maybe Love is a moderating force? (I found that a weak argument.) Is its purpose beauty? Those are all offered as arguments, and all are rejected by Socrates. Socrates, via his mentor Diotima, argues that Love's purpose is procreation. As someone who has actually been pregnant several times, I found Socrates' discussion of pregnancy to be uncomfortable, to say the least. There is a ton of homoerotic talk, especially from Socrates and Alcibiades. It is just so strange to me that there is virtually no discussion of love between men and women, but tons between older and younger men. As usual, my bias shows, but it's who I am.On to Herodotus. He's been on my radar since I read History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer about a year and a half ago, and seeing him on the reading list was part of my motivation to jump in. He did not disappoint. The sections that I read were the origin stories of Croesus and Cyrus, and Persia, and then the beginning of the Persian War. I ended with the Battle of Thermopylae, which is an amazing story in its own right. A few takeaways:Every military leader should read this book. I may actually send it to my son who is in the Navy! There are examples of excellent leadership, and cranky...

I'm reading and talking about Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics.Ethics is the most challenging reading I've done, possibly ever. I'm not sure if it's because I am out of the habit of reading deeply, or my attention span rivals a gnat's, or if this text is actually that hard, but I pushed through. After reading about virtue, and habit, and endurance, and choosing pain because you know it will lead to the good thing, I was not about to stop.We talk a little about the importance of a good translation (more on that to come!) and take a deep dive into note-taking. This is a big project, and I wanted to be sure to retain the big ideas as I went along. I share the things I'm doing, what seems to be working and what I don't do.There is so much to this text. (Maybe that's another reason it was so intense?) In no particular order, just a few notes. There are three basic ways of life: pleasure, politics, and contemplation. Don't confuse pleasure with happiness, because they aren't the same. Contemplation is great—you might be happy—but there's no real action, and that is part of what virtue requires. So, political life, a life lived in relation to others, is the highest good.A virtue is typically the middle way between the vices of too much and too little. For example, courage is the middle way between recklessness and cowardice.Reciprocity is what holds a community together (there's the politics!), and economics is even based on the idea of reciprocity.Friendship. My goodness, I could have used these thoughts at 18, or 24, and can definitely use them now. There are three types of friendships: of utility, of pleasure, and complete. Complete is rare, and so you should attend to it. But it can end if the friends become markedly less equal in some way. Knowing that might help you inoculate against it.Aristotle breaks everything into taxonomies—I mean, the man was obsessed with categorizing everything. It's much more of an engineer's approach to life than Plato's with his ideas about Forms.Regarding Poetics, what amazing guidance about storytelling in tragedy or epic. I wonder if modern filmmakers ever have to read this.Metaphor is the master poet's tool.When I began this project I said I'd read introductions minimally and try to engage solely with the text as much as possible. I needed help with Aristotle, and I highly recommend Larry Arn's series from Hillsdale College.Music this week was Bach's Cello Concertos. Beautiful, lush, varied. I have a real love affair with the cello so this was a pleasure to listen to! You can listen here.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week as we return for love with Plato and war with Herodotus.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify -

Confucius' Analects was my reading this week, accompanied by Chinese traditional music and art. I'll probably be better off for having read it...First, The Analects is a lot like the book of Proverbs in the Bible: aphorism after aphorism, with very little narrative and not much to connect each paragraph. It was truly like drinking from a firehose. That's exactly how I felt this week, trying to get through the book.I did, in fact, try to put together a few cogent thoughts about The Analects itself, ideas I can take forward with me into further reading:The most important virtues for Confucius are courage, wisdom, and Goodness. Goodness is embodied as adherence to type. Whaley's description (from 1938, if that helps) is that it's like calling someone a “true Englishman” as the best compliment. It is attainable by aligning yourself with it rather than chasing it.Ritual is supremely important. Adherence to ritual is necessary to attain the Way of the Good (which is the Ancient, and better way) rather than the Way of Violence (which is the current-day way). Further, respect for parents is a crucial part of ritual.There is a tension between the life of the mind, which is what a gentleman is to develop, and the practical life, which is for common people. Confucius says more than once that a gentleman doesn't pursue practical knowledge but only contemplates ideas.I saw parallels with Stoicism occasionally, and there was some Utopianism, it seems to me. There were also plenty of times when it struck me that Confucius was actually complaining that even though he had great ideas and great teaching, he wasn't getting hired by anyone important.Additionally, I found this podcast about Confucius, by professors at Mount St. Mary's University. A Catholic theologian who likes Confucius was really helpful for this Christian to get a handle on the work.Here's an interesting album of Chinese music.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week as we tackle two texts from Aristotle.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

I'm reading Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics. We continue with the Odyssey this week. I'm joined this week by my son Jack Drury. Jack is pursuing a Masters in Classics at the University of Chicago, so we are on familiar ground for him here.I'm a beginner at reading the classics, but I've decided to just "crack the book" and get started. Here are a few of my key take-aways from this week:What will I take from this week? Let's see:A deeper understanding of Greek mythology. I have a copy of Bullfinch's Mythology on my bookshelf and will probably be dipping in and out of it soon. A better view of the ancient world, its customs and habits of life. I know it's fiction, but the way the poem describes the interactions between people of different classes, between men and women, and between city-states is eye-opening. I'm tempted to carry my modern worldview into these stories, and to find fault with various people. Instead, I really have to suspend my judgement to understand what is going on and how it compares to what I already know.A richer view of the Bible, believe it or not. I've read the Bible through about ten times (maybe more). Reading other ancient works ADDS to my understanding of the world the ancient Hebrews lived in. It's one thing to understand the Old Testament, but so much richer to understand how very different the Hebrews' struggles with God were compared to the Greeks' encounters with their array of gods and goddesses.Finally, my last take-away is one that deserves its own paragraph. I am angry, honestly, that every bit of this kind of literature was erased from my education. Who did that? Why? Who decided that Flowers for Algernon was worth my attention but Odysseus and Telemachus and Pallas Athena and Penelope weren't?Jack and I also have a long discussion about the heart of the Odyssey. What is it truly about? Is it a homecoming, or a story of exiles, or a model for suffering? How can we as 21st-century Americans relate to these ancient Greeks?This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week as we head to eastward and read Confucius.CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

I'm reading Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics. Week 2 starts with Greek Poetry, and then we start Homer and The Odyssey. What a great week!I'm a beginner at reading the classics, but I've decided to just "crack the book" and get started. Here are a few of my key take-aways from this week:The surviving Greek Lyrics are very male-dominated, full of war and fighting and politics, with not a lot of attention paid to nature or beauty, or even romance. That is, until you get to Sappho, a woman. Her verses are really beautiful. I can't help but wonder why. Is it just what survived? Or is that an accurate reflection of Greek society? I thought it was the second until I read Homer.The Odyssey is full of male and female characters, and they are both important to the story. So where the poetry was very male-centric (except for Sappho) Homer absolutely isn't. I mean, Penelope seems kind of weak, but Athena is absolutely crucial to the plot. I will have to think about this a lot more.Odysseus is a pain in the neck. While I love the story, I'm not a fan of the guy himself so far, at least by Book 10. For instance, when he gets ready to pass by the Sirens, he is told to lash himself to the mast of the ship IF he wants to hear the Siren Song. And that's what he chose to do! Why would he not just say, “Nope, I'll put beeswax in my ears like the rest of the crew and we will just sail on by.” It seems supremely arrogant.Telemachus, on the other hand, seems to me to possibly be the better hero. I'm looking forward to seeing him find his dad.I have a lot of other thoughts this week, especially about the Fagles translation I read.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week to finish the Odyssey. We'll be joined by a fun guest!CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

I'm reading Ted Gioia's "Immersive Humanities Course," 52 weeks of World Classics. We start with Plato! The Last Days of Socrates and excerpts from The Republic. I'm a beginner at reading the classics, but I've decided to just "crack the book" and get started. Here are a few of my key take-aways from Plato:Human nature just doesn't change. Socrates talks about how to influence a crowd (by misrepresenting ideas), and he gives a pretty funny explanation of misanthropy that I didn't expect. (You hate people because you expect them to be perfect and they aren't. Grow up, get real, and understand that the vast majority are neither purely good or purely evil, but somewhere in the middle.)The distinction between an Idea (maybe think of it as a quality, like Beauty) and the thing that has the beauty (like a beautiful vase, for example) is important. The object can point to the Truth of the quality but never perfectly. It is critical to be very clear on what is the Idea and what is the object exemplifying that Idea. That sounds very obvious when I write it but in the real world it is easy to skip over.These books covered things I had heard of, like the Theory of Ideas, the Argument from Affinity, and the Theory of Recollection. I won't go into them here, but I have kept notes to trace them for myself. There was a surprising amount of reflection on the nature of the soul. Now, of course, I'm wondering exactly when did the Greeks divide man into body and soul, and what exactly did “soul” mean for them? I know they didn't necessarily think of it like I think of my soul as a Christian.Book I of The Republic is all about “doing right,” a phrase for a Greek word that is also translated “justice” but incorporates a much bigger and more moral sense than mere legal justice. There is a lot to think about for people who are considering leadership, especially political leadership. Finally, the Cave Allegory. I thought it was basically about not seeing things clearly, but learning to see them as they really are. In fact it is much, much more than that. In particular, Socrates talks about learning to see in the bright light, and then trying to come back to those inside the cave, trying to explain the truth. And there's a line that I'll misquote, but the point is, “Are you blind because you have always been in the dark, or are you blind because you were dazzled by brightness?” What a question.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for Greek Poetry and The Odyssey.CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

A NEW ADVENTURE.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of diving into those classic books you feel like you should have read by now, but don't know where to start, Crack The Book is for you.I'm your host, Cheryl. I stumbled upon a list of classic books and realized how much I'd missed. I wanted to understand these stories and ideas and didn't know where to start. But I was tired of feeling out of the loop and told myself - I can do this.And you can too.In each episode, we unpack an all-time classic book - Plato, Confucius, Dante, and more - exploring their stories, their lessons, and how we can apply them to our lives today.We're going to take a walk through the humanities, starting from the earliest epics ever written through to the 21st century modern classics.So come along with me - I'll break down the big ideas, share my honest take on what's worth your time, and show you how these classics can connect to your life.I'm by no means an expert on these works, but I'm excited for you to join me on this adventure of curiosity and discovery.Whether you're new to these books or revisiting them with fresh eyes, you're in the right place.Subscribe to Crack The Book now on your favorite podcast platform.The first episode launches March 18th.CONNECTFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

While we take a little break, enjoy this episode from last year. We interviewed our boat broker Michal Bach and learned a lot. If you enjoyed this interview, check out some of our other guests: JB Turner on August 6, 2024, Kate Seremeth on September 10, 2024, and Ali Hasell on November 26, 2024.Buying a boat is easier said than done. And finding the right one isn't that simple either. Thankfully, we had Michael Bach on our side when we bought our sailboat, Abide.Michael joins me in this episode to share his story of becoming a broker which started out working in shipyards and racing. We then uncover the process we went through together of finding the right boat and arranging the purchase and works.This episode is packed with surprising stories, professional expertise, and practical advice for anyone interested in sailing!Highlights from this episode:Our broker Michael's journey from boat racing to finding Abide.How Michael sniffs out the duds when looking for boats for his clients.Who is the typical boat owner?How the boat buying process works.How COVID prompted us (and many others) to sail more.Stay subscribed so you don't miss our new podcast adventure!CONNECTMichael Bach - mbach@bycyacht.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

While we take a little break, enjoy this episode from last year with our chef Vanessa! And if you enjoyed this episode, she also shares life at a charter yacht show. Check out that episode from November 19, 2024.Are you feeling hungry? You will be after listening to this episode!Vanessa Verster, our chef on board our sailboat, Abide (and Roland's wife), joins me on this episode to give us a behind the scenes look into life as a private chef on the sea.We discover Vanessa's story of how she got involved in chartering, despite having no initial sailing experience. Vanessa is now part of our crew where she uses her culinary mastery to feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner in a space smaller than most home kitchens!Highlights from this episode:Vanessa's journey to chartering, from South Africa to the USA.The challenges of cooking for up to ten people in a tiny galley kitchen.Life on mixed charters and handling diverse groups of guests.The differences between restaurant and private cheffing.The process of crafting a menu and why guests don't get to see it before boarding.Nightmare guest stories!The no-go topics of conversation for mixed family charters…Stay subscribed so you don't miss our new podcast adventure!CONNECTFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

While we take a little break, enjoy this episode from last year. And to continue to part 2, check out the episode from July 2, 2024.We love a challenge. And this story is all about jumping in head first. In episode one I uncovered the story of how our adventure began, from the first time Bill and I went sailing, to coming to own a 136-foot sailboat. If you haven't listened to episode one already, start there!In this episode, I'm joined by our intrepid captain Roland, who without him, our adventure might not have been possible. We pick up where we left off with Abide arriving at Belfast's Front Street Shipyard, before winding back time to introduce Roland and how he became our captain.Highlights from this episode:How our captain's journey took him from cleaning the bottoms of boats to joining our crew.How chartering works, and what it's like to live on board with people you've only just met!How Hurricane Irma tore through our plans.Learning about the process from delivery to sailing the world.How our journey made us see America from a completely new perspective.Stay subscribed so you don't miss our new podcast adventure!CONNECTFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

I'm making some changes to Adventure On Deck.Over the past year, this podcast has been a space to share stories of adventure, discovery, and our life aboard Abide. And I thank you so much for being a part of this with me. But as all great stories must, this chapter has come to a natural close, now that we've told the refit story.During our adventures, I've discovered how much I love how stories pop up in our own lives and how we can get to know the world as a progression of storiesI've also discovered how much I love podcasting and connecting with you!That's why, although this story has come to a close, the podcast will live on, but it's time to steer the course into something new.In this episode, I talk about what's coming next in this new chapter.CONNECTFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Have you ever read a book that feels like it was written for the exact moment you're living?That's how I felt when I read Homer's Odyssey during our last trip to St. Thomas this year. The story of the epic, 20-year journey home has stuck with me, and I couldn't help but see the parallels to our adventures aboard Abide.That's why in this episode, I'm sharing 5 of these parallels that we've learnt from. If you haven't read The Odyssey - don't worry, I'll give you some context. And either way, if you're planning an adventure of your own, there's something to learn here.We may not have ended up getting on Poseidon's bad side - but there have definitely been some unexpected challenges!In this episode, I share:5 ways our adventure mirrors Homer's Odyssey.How the realities of our trip differed from our expectations.The sirens (or distractions) we've had to resist along the way.Why “home” looks so different after spending time at sea.Lessons that you can bring to your own adventures.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the next one.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Happy New Year, Adventurers! What went well in 2024 for you and what went not so well?This week, I'm joined by my husband, Bill, as we reflect on the highs and lows of 2024 and look ahead to what's in store for 2025.We're playing a little game of ‘Good Thing, Bad Thing' - a game we loved to play with our kids around the dinner table to get everyone talking about their day. We're reminiscing about some incredible moments from this past year - and a few not-so-great moments that we can learn from. From launching this podcast to our favorite trips aboard Abide, 2024 has been super busy and full of surprises and lessons.Highlights from this episode:A look back at our year with Abide.Some of the best - and worst - moments of 2024.Our hopes, goals, and plans for 2025 aboard Abide and personally.Chartering a boat and why we're doing more of it in 2025.And more!If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the adventure in 2025.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

In this special holiday episode, I've put something together for you that will surely get you in the Christmas spirit!I'm putting my own spin on Clement Moore's classic, ‘The Night Before Christmas', inspired by life aboard Abide with our family and crew (and a familiar face that shows up).Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate (or your favorite holiday drink from last week's episode!) and set sail with us.If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to follow Adventure On Deck on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the next one.Thanks so much for listening to Adventure On Deck in 2024, and see you in the New Year!LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

When we host guests aboard Adibe, one thing we love to do is prepare cocktails. And now that the holiday season is upon us, what better way to celebrate than by sharing our top three drinks we love to share?If you're planning on hosting a party, or looking for some inspiration, this episode will make it a little easier for you to make things memorable.This week, I'm joined by our daughters, Paige and Darcy, to share three beverages we love to serve aboard Abide.We've got two alcoholic cocktails to share with you and one for the designated drivers. And each drink comes with some garnish suggestions to impress your guests. Plus, we're throwing in a couple of bonus recipes that hold a special place in our family.Highlights from this episode:The must-try holiday drinks we love serving aboard Abide.Alcoholic, non-alcoholic, hot and cold - something for everyone.How making these drinks create a key part of creating a welcoming atmosphere on Abide.And more…If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to follow Adventure On Deck on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the next one.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

When you're planning a trip, how do you make sure you see everything you want to without missing out on the best-kept secrets a destination has to offer?Whether you're traveling by boat or not, when planning your next vacation, you want to try to fit everything in. But it's not always that easy, and can be overwhelming when you're visiting a new place.On this week's episode, Bill (my husband!), joins me aboard Abide. We're in Antigua as we record this one, after a week of sailing the Caribbean, and we have a strategy to share with you around getting the most out of visiting somewhere new - particularly an island destination.These are the two things that we do every time we visit an island that allows us to uncover its secrets without getting overwhelmed.Oh, and we'll share a few stories with you on some of the incredible sights and near-death experiences we've collected from our voyages to Gran Canaria, Saba and more…Highlights from this episode:How to prevent overwhelm when everything is new.The two things we do when visiting a new island to uncover its best bits.Some of the most gorgeous sights we've spotted that might have you planning your next trip.Lessons from our biggest travel mistakes!What you should always find out before exploring a new destination.And more!If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to follow Adventure On Deck on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the next one.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

As fall 2024 wraps up, it's time to reflect on what's been a busy season for us and for Abide. This has been an exciting few months for us and we don't want you to miss any of it!Roland joins me in this episode as we go over some of the top trips that we've taken Abide on throughout fall to cap things off before she goes back to the boat yard.We'll take you through the highlights, challenges, and insights from the journey so far. Fall has brought us even closer to the geography and history of some of the places we've visited, now with a fresh perspective from the waterHighlights from this episode:Reflecting on an exciting fall season aboard Abide.Exploring some of the most beautiful locations on the coast.Our trip to New York and what surprised us most.Tips for making the most of your own adventures.And more…Whether you're planning your own adventures or just along for the ride, this episode is the perfect way to wrap up fall.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Ever wondered what it's like to spend an entire year on a boat, navigating 6000 miles of waterways? This week, we're joined by Ali Hasell, who - along with her husband Duncan and their dog Tito - is taking on America's Great Loop.In this episode, Ali gives as a look into the incredible journey that she and a community of ‘loopers' go on to achieve this momentous task.Ali uncovers the unexpected challenges and the joys of discovery from the loop so far which she's currently almost 5000 miles into - from navigating lakes and rivers to managing provisions and maintaining a routine on board. We dive into what it takes to commit to America's Great Loop.If you're looking for some travel inspiration, or just want a behind the scenes on an incredible story, this is for you!Highlights from this episode:What is America's Great Loop and who's taking it on?How ‘loopers' adapt to life on the boat long term - and how they adapt to returning home.Ali and her family's routine while traveling the 6000-mile stretch.Ali's top spots from America and Canada along the route.The community of ‘loopers' and how to get involved.LEARN MOREIf you have questions for Ali, drop her an email: ahasell@gmail.com.For more information about America's Great Loop, go to www.aglca.org.For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

As Abide arrives at St. Thomas for the USVI Charter Yacht Show, we're pulling back the curtain on what really goes into preparing a yacht for brokers, clients and customers.In this episode, I'm joined again by our chef, Vanessa Verster, who's had her hands full for the last couple of months with everything from crafting menus to styling a Japanese-inspired theme to leave an impression on brokers looking for new charter opportunities.Prepare to feel hungry again as we dive into what it's like to host brokers aboard Abide, the high standards expected at these shows, and the creative ways Vanessa and the crew keep things interesting. Highlights from this episode:What it takes to prepare for a boat show, from the décor to the menu.Inside the broker-client relationship and how boats are chosen for charter.How we're going green to meet the show's requirements.Vanessa's menu plan and the crew's role in creating a memorable experience.A flavored water competition and the Japanese theme for Abide!And much more…If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next one!LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Getting a yacht from one place to another isn't as straightforward as you might think…In this episode, Roland and I dive into the ins and outs of yacht ‘deliveries'.We're moving Abide to St. Thomas in preparation for a boat show (more on that in a later episode). We're recording from Charleston, where we're busy prepping Abide to ensure she arrives in the same condition she left in.We discuss everything that's involved from hiring extra crew to stocking up with enough food to sustain 9+ people for days of round-the-clock sailing.With day-and-night sailing, delivering a yacht is more than a cruise - it's about managing a finely tuned operation that ensures everyone and everything arrives in one piece.Highlights from this episode:What it takes to deliver a yacht in one piece.Planning for nonstop, round-the-clock sailing with rotating crew.What to do in an injury situation.Cooking on the go and keeping 9+ crew members fueled for the journey.The biggest delivery danger in the water - and it's not sharks or icebergs…Roland's story of locking a crew member up in the brig during a past delivery!If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next one.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

As we wrap up the refit story, I'm taking a moment to reflect. In this solo episode, I share 3 insights from the incredible experience of getting Abide back on the water. I break down the 3 big takeaways that have stuck with me and that I urge you to think about. This project reminded me of the amazing things we would have missed if we hadn't taken the leap, and I hope to inspire you to take your own leap into that thing you've been hesitating over for way too long.Plus, we have some questions of yours to answer! I'm truly grateful for the questions you've sent in, and I answer them in this episode.Finally, I fill you in on what's been happening since Abide returned to Charleston and give a sneak peek into what's coming next for the podcast!Highlights from this episode:The 3 big life lessons to take away from Abide's refit.The importance of taking risks and the rewards that follow.A Q&A session answering your questions.What's been happening since Abide came home to Charleston.A look ahead at what's coming next for Abide, the crew and Adventure On Deck.If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Abide finally made her way back to Charleston. This episode gets a little emotional… but it's tears of joy so it's okay!This week, Roland and I share the last leg of Abide's first real adventure as she arrives home in Charleston, marking a heart-warming return. Recording this episode was an absolute joy.From navigating treacherous waters to docking in Charleston, the final chapter of Abide's journey home had its fair share of challenges. We talk Charleston history, Roland's run-in with some feisty crabs, and the overwhelming excitement of seeing Abide back at the marina. Highlights from this episode:Navigating the treacherous waters on the way home to Charleston.Abide's arrival in Charleston and seeing her in the marina for the first time……only for our view to be spoiled the next day!Some interesting details on Charleston's history as a major harbor.Roland's crab attack and other stories that had us in hysterics.And more…If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.LEARN MOREThe sermon we listened to when Abide got to Charleston: Waiting ForFor more about Abide - https://sailabide.com/CONNECTAbide in Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a crew on a yacht? Our crew spend a lot of time on Abide, not only working together, but living together, too.This week, we're taking a quick break from the refit story to give you an inside look at what it's really like to live and work aboard Abide.I'm joined by Jacob, our engineer, and Elizabeth, our deckhand who connected with me as they both sat down aboard our boat in Newport, Rhode Island.We'll dive into how they got into the world of yachting, the training involved to become yacht crew, and what it's like to live and work in such close quarters. From navigating the day-to-day responsibilities to living alongside co-workers, Jacob and Elizabeth share a unique perspective on life aboard Abide that I know you'll get a lot of insight from.Highlights from this episode:How Jacob and Elizabeth found their way into the yachting world.The rigorous training required to be a yacht crew member.Daily life aboard Abide and how they live together as co-workers.Insights into the crew's responsibilities and routines.What it takes to make life at sea run without a hitch.If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next episode!LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

As we entered Newport on a freezing Christmas Eve, we realized days later that we hadn't officially cleared into the port... And that was just the beginning of the next set of challenges!This week, Roland and I dive into the next leg of Abide's journey, as we sailed from Belfast, Maine to Newport, Rhode Island and onto Norfolk. From a major malfunction that had us moored to the dock for weeks, to the sea trials that revealed more problems, this leg of the trip was filled with close calls.We delve into crew challenges in this episode, and how we found the crew that was right for us. And we revisit our dream of sailing round the world and talk about why we're currently looking more locally!Highlights from this episode:The Christmas Eve panic and why Abide needed clearing to dock.Navigating Newport's icy waters and returning to the dock due to a major malfunction.Three intense sea trials.Our journey from Newport to Norfolk.HR challenges on board: managing crew swaps and the importance of finding the right people for the mission.Is the dream of sailing around the world realistic?If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next leg of the journey.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

What happens when your sailboat is forced to leave the dock before it's ready, and the deck is turned into an ice rink?This week, I'm joined again by our captain, Roland - in person this time! We're sitting aboard Abide as we reflect on the departure from the shipyard in Belfast, Maine. Abide had become part of the local scenery, with both friends and strangers showing up to give her a send off. But the decision for Abide to leave the dockyard wasn't made by us. We revisit the chaotic moments leading up to Abide departure and the challenges that followed. We also dive into Abide's sea trials - the first voyages, and finally bringing Abide into Newport.Highlights from this episode:Dealing with the pressure of being forced out of the shipyard before we were ready.Roland's mishap that turned the deck into an ice rink!The emotional farewell as friends and locals wished Abide off.Struggling to get off the frozen dock and into open water.The far-too-tight squeeze of clearing low bridges during Abide's first sea trials.The first leg of her journey may be complete, but there's plenty more ahead! So be sure to subscribe for the next episode.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

When we bought Abide, it was clear that she was built for something more. And part of what helped her reach her potential was the newly designed interior.In this episode, I sit down with Kate Seremeth, owner of TACK studios and the interior designer behind Abide's stunning look.Kate shares her story from starting out in industrial design to becoming a specialist in yacht interiors. Growing up in Maine, surrounded by water, it's no surprise that Kate found herself drawn to working on boats, but her path into this unique niche is anything but conventional.Kate talks about the unique challenges she faces designing for the unique features of a sailboat and how she balances human comfort with aesthetics. She gives us an inside look into the process of designing Abide's interior and shares stories of some of the incredible other projects she's worked on.Highlights from this episode:The unique challenges of designing for yachts.Balancing comfort and beauty in yacht interiors.Kate's process for designing the interior of Abide.Refits vs. new builds and how no project is the same.How Kate designs interiors that ‘feel like the client'.Stories of Kate's other projects and the ones she's turned down.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MORETACK studios - https://tackstudios.com/For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideKate Seremeth on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-seremeth-2a620612/Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

This is where things got really hard.After being kicked out of the yard in early June 2023, our sailboat, Abide, went back in the water… but it wasn't yet habitable. It didn't seem like we were far off, though, with visions of being out on the water within the next couple of months. How wrong we were…In this episode, our captain Roland and I continue the story of Abide's refit during the second half of 2023. With constant delays, unpleasant surprises and our stress levels rising, we were starting to lose faith.I know this doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but we had to go there. We wanted to be open about both sides of the story. It's all part of it, and it's absolutely worth listening to you if you want to hear the behind-the-scenes on the challenges of such a large project.Highlights from this episode:Abide's return to the water, and the challenges that followed.The harsh reality of a huge project like refitting a 136-foot sailboat.How we raised our spirits and pushed forward.The Antigua Yacht Show - our beacon of hope, and how that panned out!If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Are you feeling hungry? You will be after listening to this episode!Vanessa, our chef on board our sailboat, Abide (and Roland's wife), joins me on this episode to give us a behind the scenes look into life as a private chef on the sea.We discover Vanessa's story of how she got involved in chartering, despite having no initial sailing experience. Vanessa is now part of our crew where she uses her culinary mastery to feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner in a space smaller than most home kitchens!Highlights from this episode:Vanessa's journey to chartering, from South Africa to the USA.The challenges of cooking for up to ten people in a tiny galley kitchen.Life on mixed charters and handling diverse groups of guests.The differences between restaurant and private cheffing.The process of crafting a menu and why guests don't get to see it before boarding.Nightmare guest stories!The no-go topics of conversation for mixed family charters…If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

A huge project like restoring a 136-foot sailboat, doesn't happen in a bubble. While our captain, Roland, and the crew were hard at work with Front Street Shipyard in Belfast all sorts of unexpected challenges were cropping up that made us put the whole endeavour into perspective.In this episode, we dive back into the refit of Abide during the winter of 2022. As the refit continues, Roland and I share a few stories behind the scenes: from the rigorous crew training that Roland has to undergo, from firefighting to spending 5 hours in a freezing pool, to some more personal trials.Highlights from this episode:The impact of life's challenges on us and the project.Training for the unexpected - what a sailing crew has to go through to become certified.Coping with sudden loss and other stressful life challenges.The process of Roland securing a visa in order to get the project underway.The moment Abide was kicked out of the shed.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

It was a cold December night back in 2022. Abide was tucked up in the warmth of her shed at Front Street Shipyard. Roland was slowly killing his Christmas tree… In this episode we jump back into the refit story, picking up where we left off in the winter of ‘22. Our 136-foot sailboat, Abide, was undergoing an intensive refit.Our captain, Roland, joins me again to share stories from that winter in Maine and give us a closer look into the extensive refit challenge.Highlights from this episode:- What happened next in the refit story.- The crazy level of attention to detail that had to go into repainting Abide.- How to sail if you get seasick.- Abide's 2000-lb dinghy and how we got it on the boat (and why sailboats need one).- The story of Roland's Christmas as a South African in America.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

JB Turner had a vision. A vision for a shipyard unlike any other in Belfast, Maine. A shipyard that could take on bigger projects, and energise the community. And in 2011, JB and his partners got started with building Front Street Shipyard.Abide is currently sitting inside Front Street waiting to be painted. But in this episode, we're taking you back to how it all started.JB shares with us his story, from developing a love of sailing as a child (back when a 32-foot sailboat was considered large!), to the handshake that built the shipyard, to refitting Adibe!This conversation is filled with interesting stories that I don't want to spoil for you, so have a listen and you won't be disappointed!Highlights from this episode:How JB Turner and his partners built Front Street Shipyard from the ground up.How Front Street was able to attract its talented team (most of whom don't sail themselves!)The ‘rennaisance' of Belfast that attracted its sailing community.What goes into building a boat from scratch.What's the hardest part of building a sailboat?If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFront Street Shipyard - https://frontstreetshipyard.com/For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

How much do you need to pay someone to step into an empty black water tank…?We pick up where we left off in episode 5, with Roland and the crew setting things in motion at Front Street Shipyard, Maine. Our sailboat, Abide was being hauled out of the water and unloaded in the shed.In this episode, we're diving into the process and the challenges behind restoring Abide to her original beauty - and then some.Highlights from this episode:What goes into restoring a 136-foot sailboat.Making a sailboat functional and beautiful.What the ‘giant-tattoo gun' was for...Choosing the right wood and paint (it's harder than you'd think).The supply-chain challenges of 2022 and how the refit was affected.The gritty details of the black water tank (don't worry we don't get too graphic…).How a sailing yacht gets surveyed.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Buying a boat is easier said than done. And finding the right one isn't that simple either. Thankfully, we had Michael Bach on our side when we bought our sailboat, Abide.Michael joins me in this episode to share his story of becoming a broker which started out working in shipyards and racing. We then uncover the process we went through together of finding the right boat and arranging the purchase and works.This episode is packed with surprising stories, professional expertise, and practical advice for anyone interested in sailing!Highlights from this episode:Our broker Michael's journey from boat racing to finding Abide.How Michael sniffs out the duds when looking for boats for his clients.Who is the typical boat owner?How the boat buying process works.How COVID prompted us (and many others) to sail more.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREBachus Yacht Consultancy - https://bycyacht.com/For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Now the real work begins… We're picking up where we left off in episode 3 with our captain Roland. In this part of the story, the boat (Abide) is still in the water at the shipyard in Belfast, Maine, but we're gearing up to haul her out and get started on the refit.This was the biggest project that Roland had undertaken. We speak about how we chose the shipyard, the work that went into getting Abide into the shed and the major undertaking of preparing her for the refit. It sounds straightforward, but it's anything but!Highlights from this episode:What goes into hauling a 136-foot sailboat out of the water.Choosing the right shipyard for the work.The process of finding the crew and getting them set up.Getting the cost estimates for the refit… ‘estimate' being the keyword!If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

It turns out, there's more to a sailboat than a sail and a mast… After acquiring our 136-foot sailboat, Abide, we discovered something we weren't expecting to find that sent us down a rabbit hole (and I'm not talking about the 23 jars of mint jelly…).We found a huge binder of records relating to the original design and purchase of the boat. We're talking notes from meetings, emails, and even faxes!In this episode, my husband Bill and I share what we discovered from these historic records - the drama that unfolded that led to 35 pages of change orders or modifications before the original owner was satisfied.Seeing Abide now, though, it looks like it was worth it!Highlights from this episode:The history of Abide's original construction and purchase.Introducing my husband Bill to the story.How Abide, a boat constructed in The Netherlands, was tailored for an American owner.Understanding what goes into designing and building a sailboat.Where we're hoping to take Abide to next and in the future.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Last week we shared with you the first part of the story of how Roland came to be the captain of our 136-foot sailboat, Abide. This week, you'll discover the rest of the story.We were about to start the refit and Roland was boarding Abide for the first time. He was greeted with a frosty reception from the old crew… but this only strengthened the resolve to make this work.Abide hadn't been maintained too well, and she needed some attention before she would be ready for chartering. In this episode, you'll also discover the start of the refit journey.Highlights from this episode:The second part of Roland's journey to becoming our captain.The frosty reception Roland got when he went to pick up Abide!The journey Roland and Abide took to Belfast, Maine where the refit began.The weird and wonderful things we found stowed away on Abide, like 23 jars of mint jelly…If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss the next part of the story.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

We love a challenge. And this story is all about jumping in head first. In episode one I uncovered the story of how our adventure began, from the first time Bill and I went sailing, to coming to own a 136-foot sailboat. If you haven't listened to episode one already, start there!In this episode, I'm joined by our intrepid captain Roland, who without him, our adventure might not have been possible. We pick up where we left off with Abide arriving at Belfast's Front Street Shipyard, before winding back time to introduce Roland and how he became our captain.Highlights from this episode:How our captain's journey took him from cleaning the bottoms of boats to joining our crew.How chartering works, and what it's like to live on board with people you've only just met!How Hurricane Irma tore through our plans.Learning about the process from delivery to sailing the world.How our journey made us see America from a completely new perspective.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss part two.LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

We cast off from the pier, motored away, and did not sail… but we bought the boat anyway.This is the story of how my husband (Bill) and I (Cheryl) - two non-sailors - came to own a 136-foot sailboat, with the crazy idea that we might sail around the world. If you're ready to set sail into the unknown and become inspired to satisfy your wanderlust each week, this is the podcast for you. In this inaugural episode, you'll discover how this all started, from the first time Bill and I went sailing, to finding Abide - the sailboat of our dreams, and getting the crew on board.Highlights from this episode:How two non-sailors came to own a 136-foot sailboat.How we found the crew that we would work with for the rest of our adventure so far.The test trip that had us doing donuts around the bay for an hour.The grinding halt that Covid brought to our plans and the revelation it brought us.If you enjoy the first part of the story, subscribe on your podcast app of choice. This is only the beginning of the adventure. I'm so pleased that you're here to join us on it!LEARN MOREFor more about Abide - https://svabide.com/CONNECTAbide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abideCheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Do you find yourself looking for something more in life? A new adventure? So did we.In 2021, my husband and I came across a beautiful sailboat that needed a little love and attention. We had no idea what we were in for, but we bought the boat anyway. 21 months after the refit began, our boat, Abide, sailed home to Charleston and now the real adventure has truly begun.In our new, weekly podcast, Adventure On Deck, we share the ups and downs of restoring Abide and beginning our sailing journey. But this podcast isn't about sanding and painting. It's about having a dream, finding the right people, and holding fast to the course even when things are uncertain. Join me, Cheryl, and a host of fascinating guests, including our intrepid captain, Roland. We are embarking on a voyage of discovery, from the fateful decision to take on the project to the headwinds we faced along the way.If you're ready to set sail into the unknown and become inspired to satisfy your own wanderlust, subscribe to Adventure On Deck now on your favourite podcast platform so that you're notified when the first episode launches on June 18th.Adventure awaits.