I’ve lived in New Zealand all my life, except for a 10-year stint in Australia. I was bought up tramping, camping and skimming stones and ended up in the communications industry (writing, photography, communications advisor). Now it’s time to do something different.

I’m also a wedding photographer which I totally adore.

Ten years ago a met a sailor man. I fell in love with him when I saw him sail for the first time. After his kids left home and set about finding the world on their own, we bought a boat and lived on it.

Now, we’ve done our first big sail – to Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia for seven months, from May to October 2015.

I was bloody terrified! Dean taught me the basics but I still closed my eyes and scream when a gust of wind jerks the boat. But I’m getting there.

Doing anything when you are petrified is quite silly. But now that I’ve done it, I know the world is a different place. Less things stress me; I’m not so sad; I’m more open to unusual situations; and best of all, I have a new appreciation for ‘village’ life and the people in them.

Dean has sailed all his life. He owes much of it, he says, to Paraparaumu Sea Scouts coach John Roger.  Dean has taught sailing at Kapiti Boating Club, Plimmerton Boating Club and Wellington Ocean Sports for the past few years. He’s even taught me (very hard to do).

I asked Dean if buying this boat and doing this trip is his ultimate dream. In true Dean style he answered, “Probably. I don’t have any others.”

Dean can fix things – anything. He can install radars, chart plotters and water makers. He can rewire and re-plumb the boat. Clever. At least one of you has to be practical!  And in the sailing world, it’s not always the bloke.

During our time in the South Pacific he fixed out watermaker, windlass motor, toilet (twice), dinghy motor; he patched sails and fixed leaks. He also helped out a lot of other boats that we met.

Enjoy our journey.