In this blog I will reflect on dependency and cooperation as well as on the "here and now".
We have now sailed 1,315 nautical miles (2,435 km) at an average of 6 knots (nautical miles per hour). We have mastered 6 nights of sailing. Martin fell ill on one sailing night and I sailed long shifts alone. So I can no longer call myself a novice sailor and yet: here on board the biosphera I feel my lack of independence and my dependence and also my frustration about it. In the last few years of my life, I have been extremely independent, have a demanding job, can provide for myself and my children (at least partially) financially, have travelled alone, moved house, driven long distances by car and so on. I have been damn proud of this independence.
And here on this trip, I almost cry when I can't start the dinghy engine on my own. It frustrates me when the simplest sailing knot fails again. I call Martin when I want to make a sailing manoeuvre and get annoyed when I can't judge whether the huge freighter might not be too close after all. Many things are just too physically heavy for me, I can't manage to lift the sail out of the hatch on my own. I can feel this dependency. We talk about it here.
We find out that it's not about dependence, but always about co-operation. Even Martin can't launch the dinghy alone if I'm not at the winch. He may have the more physically demanding part of the job, but that doesn't mean that my labour isn't needed just as much. And so we go through all the frustrations. Some tasks, such as tying knots, are simply a matter of practice, others require experience and what about dwindling strength? Now I'm 55 years old, I'm no longer as athletic, strong and enduring as I used to be. Sitting a lot at work doesn't help either. Of course you can counteract this with sport, but ageing is incessant. It's part of life. You can get as upset as you like, your eyes are getting worse and it's funny how Martin and I sometimes shout at each other and keep asking because our hearing is also getting worse. Unstoppable. Now you can deal with it in different ways: firstly, you can be frustrated, but then you don't enjoy life as much and just moan about the old days. Secondly, you accept it and look for tasks that are appropriate and yet essential! So it's all about co-operation.
I teach project work at the university and focus on teamwork and communication in my training programme. We have a great module on this in the 3rd semester, in which the groups (4 - 6 participants) work on a "real" practical project. Most of the groups are highly motivated and want to get started and produce sustainable results. Goals are defined, schedules and tasks are assigned. For many groups, the "conflict phase" comes quickly. This is completely normal and does not immediately mean the end. However, it is good if the group takes the time to talk about mutual expectations at this point at the latest. Honesty is key here. It is interesting to note that groups that really take the time to get to know each other and find out each other's strengths and weaknesses usually end up producing good project results.
There are only two of us on board the biosphera, but we are very dependent on each other. We have to co-operate in order to be able to rely on each other. It was good that I felt the frustration, tested my physical limits and that we always celebrate what we have achieved. I've introduced the idea of sharing what we're grateful for that day every evening! This is a little ritual that I would like to maintain with other visitors to biosphera. If we also share our worries afterwards, then we can still reflect on what we enjoyed and what we can draw on. Sometimes it's just very small things, a smile or a strange flavour of an unknown fruit. Very often it is also the animals that we have encountered on this journey, like dolphins that keep up with us at breakneck speed and jump capers in front of us. A small bird that settles on a line and is our sailing guest for a while. I will certainly be reporting on this more often in the future.
And today I've outgrown myself and am very proud of myself. Martin told us that the halyard (i.e. the line) that binds the light wind sail to the mast had broken. So we had to go up the mast to thread a new halyard into the mast. So far Martin has been up the mast, but today it was my turn because threading it out at the bottom of the mast also required a big man. The outlet is quite high up. We discussed all the steps in detail. I practised knots and did some gymnastics beforehand. And then Martin pulled me up the mast. Unfortunately I didn't take my mobile phone with me, it was very high and it swayed! And what can I say: everything went well and I'll be happy to climb the mast again next time!
For all those who might be worried about the fact that we sail long distances in pairs and are sometimes overtired and the wind blows hard - we take care of each other and become master students of "co-operation". With this in mind, please take care of each other, we can only do it together!
And next time I'll write about the "here and now" and try to describe the coastal flavours of Morocco and give impressions of the incredibly nice people we've met so far.
Super exciting post - thanks for sharing dear Katja! It almost seems like your journey is going straight to yourself! ❤️ I think it's great how you openly and honestly name the worries of ageing: I simply suppress these things until they become obvious, i.e. can no longer be ignored.
And: co-operation is not everything, but without co-operation everything is nothing! co-operate and co-create.
Hugs to you both!
Dear Martin, dear Katja, my thoughts really crossed earlier and now I want to send you both 1000 kisses and hugs on the biosphera just before I go to sleep!!! Last week I finally started to read all of your block entries, writings, impressions and experiences and it made me so happy to be right in the middle of it all!!!! I'm really proud of you and of course very happy that you have now completed the logo ... so I'm travelling with you in my thoughts anyway ; ) Honestly, I will now print out an atlas or world map to understand (also pictorially, in front of my eyes) where exactly you are... with a little flag!!!! Oh and there would be so much to say about dependencies, co-operations, frustration and learning ... I would love to be with you on the boat, on the water, looking into the morning light, exchanging thoughts over a warm cup of coffee ; ) ... what I can say for now is that I would never have dared to climb up that high, Katja : ) Hugs to you through the dark night and next time I'll write more! Yours Susanne
OMG dear Katja........🙏
Thank you very much for your exciting and beautifully written report of your last days.
What you're describing is a huge challenge for you as a couple and at the same time an enormous growing together through the borderline experiences you're going through. 💞
I hope you don't make the big crossing across the pond just the two of you 🙏♥️
Best regards, my heart goes out to you 💞♥️💞Your Martina
Dear Martina, I have always admired you, every year you go on the most amazing trips all over the world, mostly travelling alone as a woman, renting a scooter and exploring the world ... so I have always had respect for your travels and admired you for your fearlessness! You have also been a role model for me! Warmest hugs back!
We always follow your reports with great excitement. We can only admire what you achieve, dear Katja.
It's just great how you both treat each other.
Be hugged....
Mum and Dad are always with you in your thoughts
Big kiss mum! We try to learn from and with each other here!
Dear Martin, dear Katja, yesterday it really was a thought transmission and I wrote straight away, but it didn't go through, so now a test before I write again! Best wishes from your Susanne
It worked out after all!!!! ... I have now taken out my school atlas to have a clearer view of the journey and to be able to follow the sailing route! I'm "sailing" with you in my thoughts! Last year we were in Sidi Kaouki and it was so beautiful there! Hugs from the bottom of my heart! I'm really proud of you!!!! Your Susanne
Dear Susanne, following the sailing route on the school atlas, how great is that! That way the atlas can be used again! We also have a nautical chart, so we'll take a photo of that too! Looking forward to your visit and the exchange! Sincerely
My heart goes out to you two wonderful people, I follow all your steps, all your waves, even if they are sometimes delayed. And I am touched by your honest and lively sharing, it's like being there with you. What a hero's journey.... I wish you good nights, starry skies, the play of the dolphins, lots of hugs and lots more courage and always those magical moments when you feel that what you are doing is worth all the effort.
Dear Mo, nice to hear from you and that you are following our waves! Travelling is always a journey to yourself and it depends on your attitude, then it can be 1000 magical moments. Biggest hug!