Rain…4 days of it, and one very disappointed 8 year old, when we took a rain-check on the scheduled overnight sailing adventure. The thought of 5 adults and 2 energetic children cooped up in 42 feet of boat in the steamy, rainy conditions might’ve stretched the cousinly love just a bit. Fast forward 3 days and the unseasonable, record-breaking rain for this time of year, had passed and the excitement was at fever pitch as we loaded the family on board and motored out of the Cairns Inlet and headed for Fitzroy Island for an overnight adventure.

All those memories of sailing offshore with our 3 kids came flooding back. From the fascination with the toilet, to experiencing sea-sickness for the first time. I recall the first overnighter on Innocenti, (some 18 years ago!) By dinner time I had blisters on my hands from flushing the toilet. Each of the kids had wanted to use the loo at least a dozen times, and they weren’t strong enough to use the pump to flush….”No! You do not need to do wees again!”

My cousin, Liam and his wife, Amanda have two energetic, adventurous youngsters. Banjo is 8 years old and Scout is 2. They’re an intrepid family of travellers, having driven around Australia towing their vintage Viscount caravan. They documented their adventures on an FB page called Roam Sweet Roam Australia. They were very keen to see what life afloat is like compared to life on the road.

It was a bit lumpy on the way out to Fitzroy, with head winds and rolly seas. Banjo experienced his first bout of sea sickness. He went quiet and pale for a while, but singing sea shanties (loudly) always helps, along with steering the boat and looking out for dolphins.

I felt like the worst mother in world when we were leaving Noumea years ago setting sail for Australia and Fergus was suffering with mal de mer. He was crying, saying, “I hate this, take me back…” We told Banjo that the cure for sea-sickness is to hug a gum tree. Needless to say, everyone survived and I don’t think Fergus hates us for it anymore.

Collections of seeds, sticks, stones and other treasures made their way back to the boat. We know from years of experience to cover up the cockpit drains when kids are playing with beach treasures in the cockpit. They are just the perfect size in which to poke a beach almond seed.  Kids love to  find those tempting little holes in which to shove a piece of coral, Leggo or a broken stick…the top of the winch, for example. Nothing that a pair of tweezers couldn’t fix.

An early morning swim was a great way to start the day, no worries about crocs out at Fitzroy, and two small people to act as shark bait snacks in case of a negative shark interaction.  It was lovely to swim in the clear water, to go snorkeling and the absolute highlight was swimming with a green turtle and even being able to touch it.

We loved being able to share with the family a little glimpse into life on board. We made some great memories for everyone on our adventure to Fitzroy. Angus and I enjoyed a blast from the past remembering what it was like to live on board and sail with 3 small people. Travel by any means whether by road, air or sea is life changing, and mind-opening at any age.