In June, we can celebrate 17 years of living OTG. That is a fascinating number to me…..I have never lived anywhere as long or longer than this. Our cul-de-sac existence was the previous record holder and was only 14 years in duration. When we lived on our various boats, that was only for a total of 11 years (three different boats, several marinas, trips abroad separating each liveaboard session) over a span of about 15 years (short term apartments interspersed).

Seventeen years in one place (albeit with a lot of travel thrown in) is astonishing to me but not for the length of time, per se. The reason it is worth writing about is because it still feels new! Seriously, each day feels new and fresh and still requiring learning, adjustments, ‘doing’ and ‘being’ in the moment. Living OTG for 17 years feels like maybe 5 years and living cul de sac felt like a lifetime. Go figure.

I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. Each day is still an adventure. How could it not be (boats on the water, forests and wildlife, projects and life-supporting duties)? But it is a surprise because 17 years snuck up on me and, even more shocking to me, time is seemingly accelerating! I got old slow but I am getting older much faster. If I live another 13 years or so (we built here using the thirty-year rule and I started when I was 56 so 86 is kind of a goal…kinda…). That would also mean I am more than half-way there.

Some goal!

Still, no complaints. None. This is good. Very good. Can we keep living out here? Of course we can keep going, we are sure of that. But we will go slower while time speeds up. So, that is kinda weird. Still, ‘keeping going’ is the goal and we will carry on with Sal doing it in fine British tradition and me doing it with frequent naps. Easy peasy.

I am reflecting on this, of course, as all older people do, contemplating the end of a life rather than the beginning of one….and that, too, is OK. But it does NOT feel like the end nor does it even feel like the beginning of the end. And the reason for that is simple – each day is still a challenge, still interesting, there is so much to do and learn about. And that is true just for merely maintaining our existence! If we wanna get really out there, we can still travel or seriously try fishing or something even hardier (like catching one!).

But not this year. This year is a year-of-more-projects and maybe some travel if Covid and my attitude permits. I am still loathe to fly and the USA is still a no-go zone. We’ll see how that works out.

Seventeen years. I think we may be locals by now…I dunno….