Back to top

Ode to Solitude

Created by HG02 HG02  > 9 months ago, 5 Apr 2016
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
HG02
HG02

VIC

5814 posts

5 Apr 2016 6:36am
radio.abc.net.au/programitem/per3mnV21Q?play=true
I think most sailors have a little of this in us
theselkie
theselkie

QLD

555 posts

5 Apr 2016 8:45am
Beautiful Hg, truly beautiful.

The reason I named my little boat Aria...song for one voice
cisco
cisco

QLD

12364 posts

5 Apr 2016 9:07am

Really liked what Henk had to say.
Foolish
Foolish

65 posts

5 Apr 2016 10:21am
The final two words on the last page of my singlehanded book:
Tandem Solus

Or my quote from psychologist Carl Jung:
Isolation causes an activation of the unconscious, and this produces something similar to the illusions and hallucinations that beset lonely wanderers in the desert, seafarers and saints.

There is a spiritual side to lengthy periods of solitude that 99.999% of the world will never understand.
ChopesBro
ChopesBro

351 posts

5 Apr 2016 12:03pm
I just feel happy when I'm on a boat and at sea.

I don't need to be alone....nor do I need company.

The ocean , rivers, creeks are just where I feel happiest.

Never lived in a city.......and often wonder if I'm missing out not being in a city

P.s besides....its easier on a boat to deal with annoying ppl .you just throw them overboard. ...cant do that in town can you

Joking....maybeee
SandS
SandS

VIC

5904 posts

5 Apr 2016 7:23pm

really worth using some of your precious time to listen to this !! very interesting !!! thanks for finding and posting HG !!


I sometimes decide not to go solo sailing , as i feel i,m wasting time just sailing around and around . time that i could be doing stuff !

That's why i prefer racing ........ more purpose ....

But the thoughts in the link , are a good reason just to "go sailing" for the hell of it !!







shaggybaxter
shaggybaxter

QLD

2661 posts

6 Apr 2016 1:30am
Wow.
I'm sitting on the boat, not doing anything really. The stars are out, the harbour is quiet as a mouse, there is a chill in the air, and my pants are wet from the condensation on the deck, as I'm stupid enough to be sitting in the cockpit listening to this, savouring a drink.
I was feeling guilty because I wasn't doing anything constructive, just well...sitting.
I just completely reversed how I was feeling....now I just feel...content.

Thanks HG.


HG02
HG02

VIC

5814 posts

6 Apr 2016 6:01am
I used to call it tree hugging some time you just have to do it to clear your head
theselkie
theselkie

QLD

555 posts

6 Apr 2016 9:14am
Select to expand quote
HG02 said..
I used to call it tree hugging some time you just have to do it to clear your head


My late mum was a very intuitive woman. She knew the affinity I had with sailing and being on the water. Whenever I was moody, broody, pubescent, or any other manner of discontented, she would give me a hug and kiss and say, "...Trace, you need to go for a sail to clear the cobwebs..."
samsturdy
samsturdy

NSW

1659 posts

6 Apr 2016 9:25am

Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.
LooseChange
LooseChange

NSW

2140 posts

6 Apr 2016 10:04am
Select to expand quote
samsturdy said..

Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.


"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." - Lin Yutang
Sectorsteve
Sectorsteve

QLD

2195 posts

7 Apr 2016 9:16am
HG , Ive just shared this with a bunch of people. Its really touched everyone. Thank you so much for finding this little Gem. Listening to it again for the 2nd time.

2 nights ago i decided not to tell anyone and spend the night on the boat. Had full sails up and got a good 25 plus nots of wind. Dealt with it and then found a sheltered spot. Was going to go ashore and get food as i just left on a whim with not much supplies. The wind was still pretty strong and i couldnt be bothered to go to Manly for food. I threw my line out and caught a decent size bream. Dinner. In the morning, had some muesli and coffee and went for a nice snorkel around the boat checking out the hull.
THe whole experience was beautiful. I was alone but didnt feel alone at all. I had to leave yesterday at 9am as i had work appointments. I remember feeling i just wanted to stay on the boat and regretted having to go back to the mooring, clean up the boat, have a shave and go to some appointments...

All i want to do now is do that for an undisclosed amount of time.
Peace All. X
Datawiz
Datawiz

VIC

605 posts

7 Apr 2016 10:40am
Good one Sector, l can relate entirely.
regards,
allan
HG02
HG02

VIC

5814 posts

7 Apr 2016 10:42am
Select to expand quote
Sectorsteve said..
HG , Ive just shared this with a bunch of people. Its really touched everyone. Thank you so much for finding this little Gem. Listening to it again for the 2nd time.

2 nights ago i decided not to tell anyone and spend the night on the boat. Had full sails up and got a good 25 plus nots of wind. Dealt with it and then found a sheltered spot. Was going to go ashore and get food as i just left on a whim with not much supplies. The wind was still pretty strong and i couldnt be bothered to go to Manly for food. I threw my line out and caught a decent size bream. Dinner. In the morning, had some muesli and coffee and went for a nice snorkel around the boat checking out the hull.
THe whole experience was beautiful. I was alone but didnt feel alone at all. I had to leave yesterday at 9am as i had work appointments. I remember feeling i just wanted to stay on the boat and regretted having to go back to the mooring, clean up the boat, have a shave and go to some appointments...

All i want to do now is do that for an undisclosed amount of time.
Peace All. X


Years ago while back packing through N.Z. I was naughty and camped on a beach on the south Island , I was woken around 4 am with a penguin standing on my chest . But beside that I lived on the local mussels and caught a few fish love the isolation . Did the same in Tassy a few year as earlier loved it.Both my boys are the same. I sent them the link as well
McNaughtical
McNaughtical

NSW

908 posts

12 Apr 2016 10:07pm
HG, this is really lovely.

I listened to it the other night in the solitude of my V berth, when I was feeling quite lonely.
I have been talking a lot recently about the difference between solitude and loneliness.
I'm loving the solitude of my boat life, especially since I've left the marina and been on the hook. I love what you said Sectorsteve, and have just had to go back to work myself after 3 weeks of bliss on my boat.
andy59
andy59

QLD

1156 posts

12 Apr 2016 10:38pm
Really enjoyed that HG thanks for sharing
Nice quote from Henk: "most people don't know there is something between alone and loneliness"
McNaughtical
McNaughtical

NSW

908 posts

14 Apr 2016 7:16am
I have to say though that the enjoyment of solitude does have it's limitations.

Last night as me and my cats watched the sunset as I ate a really nice piece of dolphin fish with stir fry veges, I was muttering to myself... "F&*(k Solitude!!!"

Some things in life are much better shared.
PhoenixStar
PhoenixStar

QLD

477 posts

14 Apr 2016 9:06am
Yeah, a G&T in the cockpit as the sun goes down is always better with conversation and laughter.
McNaughtical
McNaughtical

NSW

908 posts

14 Apr 2016 9:46pm
Absolutely!
Trek
Trek

NSW

1194 posts

18 Apr 2016 1:33pm


Yum G&T. With lemon and ice! Im getting some for Trek. Just remembered a tragic G&T story, at one time is was working in Zurich and bought some G&T one night to have at my flat. It was warm so I put it in the snow outside. 1/2 later we went out to get it and couldnt find it. Poked everywhere. Damn!!! When summer came it would have pleased someone
fishmonkey
fishmonkey

NSW

494 posts

18 Apr 2016 2:27pm
Select to expand quote
Trek said..


Yum G&T.


Four Pillars gin + fresh lime + Capi tonic water, triple yum...
wongaga
wongaga

VIC

653 posts

18 Apr 2016 6:32pm
Great to see some like-minded folk praising the pleasures of solo sailing. I have done a few multi-week trips, sometimes crewed part-way. I can honestly say the most memorable parts were when I was alone.
End of posts
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply

Return To Classic site