Finally, Belle was prepared to embark on her return to the ocean, and for her inaugural journey, I had assembled the ideal crew. Vasco da Gama, on his expedition, enlisted a pilot from Malindi in East Africa to navigate his fleet across the Indian Ocean to Calicut. Similarly, I had discovered the most suitable navigator to guide us through the shallow waters of Ria Formosa in the Algarve.

Life occasionally presents us with difficulties, but at other times, it offers opportunities that we should acknowledge and appreciate. Belle was sitting on hard in Sines for more than 3 years waiting for me.

If I were to commission a custom-built sailing vessel tailored to my disabilities, it would resemble Belle. 41 foot, self tacking jib, big swim platform, electric winches, furling mainsail, beautiful blue hull, stable, truly seaworthy

I don't know if it was because I'm ingenuous or just too optimistic, but I never felt like I had to give up the things I enjoyed. Even when some therapists told me I'd have to sell my boat and motorcycles, a part of me always refused to believe it. I always figured it was just a temporary thing, and if I put in the effort, I could get back to them. And honestly, I still feel that way!

Many believe that the two two happiest days of a boaters life is when you buy the boat and sell the boat, but I don't see it that way. I really loved my boat, and saying goodbye to her was upsetting. We just didn't get to go out on the water as much as we wanted to. A stroke kept us apart for over a year, and now she's headed off to a new home. I'll always remember sailing my first boat.

I engage in physiotherapy every day to help my body heal from the effects of the stroke, but how about the brain? It is essential for me to teach my damaged brain to reorganize itself. I must exercise it regularly, much like I do my body in physiotherapy sessions. Studying celestial navigation and pursuing my Yachtmaster Offshore certification seemed like an excellent plan to accomplish this.

50 seems to be the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away. I read this somewhere and I have to agree, for me it was even earlier at 45 when I had a major hemorrhagic stroke that robbed me of my strength, my quickness, and nearly my life. However, it couldn't touch my determination, my will, or my dreams... I survived now it’s time for life 2.0

I´m the new deckhand in Viva Catamaran Crew

I started my initial ocean crossing inland, traversing Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama on an old motorcycle I acquired in Mexico.

Someone stole Captain Bob outboard motor.

This misfortune gave me the chance to help and open the door for me to sail with him to Colombia.