Review: Something of the Turtle by Sandra Clayton

Sandra and David Clayton, worn out from long commutes and freezing winters in Northern England, decide to retire early and live on a catamaran called Voyager. The author's first book, Dolphins Under My Bed, describes their adventures from the time they first set out from Wales, with minimal sailing experience, to when they arrive safely in the Mediterranean several months later. (Read my review of Dolphins Under My Bed here.)

Something of the Turtle picks up as the couple are happy berthed at Mahon, in the Mediterranean, for the winter. They have a buyer for their house, so they race back to England to begin the painful process of clearing out a lifetime of accumulated stuff:

"I pick up the items one-by-one. This is from my earliest childhood; this was given to me by an incredibly kind neighbor. This was my Dad's, my Mom's, my grandparents'; these were gifts from family, friends, a teacher, and David's lovely, giggly little Grandma. David brought this home when we were first married; this was my coming-of-age present from my parents; here are the 78rpm records my Dad used to play and my drawing exercises from night school. And over there is the brass bowl that resulted from the metalwork option at day-continuation college during my first year at work. Looking at it I can still smell the metal filings, hot from the grinder. Everything I touch conjures up a loved person, a happy moment, a small achievement."

Once she comes to the realization that the loss of the objects themselves will not result in the loss of the memories associated with them, the task becomes easier. After an extended delay, a sale on their home is finally completed and they are able to return to Voyager to continue their exploration of the Mediterranean. They are anxious and worried about the condition of the boat after so long away, but thanks to a kindly marina manager they return to a sparkling clean Voyager and soon set out.

This summer they explore the Balearic Islands and Sardinia. Once again the author describes picture perfect villages and bustling towns, her vivid portraits of them make the reader feel that they are seeing them, too. However, she makes clear that a life at sail is not the easy idyll that most people imagine it is. When they are at sea they sleep in three and a half hour shifts so that one person can keep watch. Anchoring in a marina often provides disturbances of a different sort: loud or disruptive individuals on shore in the middle of the night, noisy garbage collectors in the middle of the night, boats arriving and trying to squeeze in where there is no room...you guessed it, in the middle of the night. So sleep deprivation, along with bad weather, fellow sailors with no experience and irritated fishermen are a few of the downsides of life afloat.

But the upsides abound. They are fit and healthy, relaxed and happy. They are in a beautiful place where each day brings something wonderful:

"During the afternoon, over the course of several hours, a large number of turtles of varying sizes paddle laboriously towards us wearing that look of intense concentration peculiar to reptiles on the move. They are so close to us as they pass that they are almost touching our sides. It is unknown, in our experience, for a turtle to get so close. They usually dive and disappear long before the boat gets anywhere near them....There is something of the turtle about us, come to think of it. Our pace is leisurely. We are vulnerable to gales and strong currents and we carry our home with us wherever we go. Our journeys are usually solitary although we do occasionally meet up with our own kind at marinas and town quays and have a gossip. But with such a vast territory in which to roam, we rarely meet up with the same people twice. This time last year, wary of our capabilities and all too aware of our inexperience, we were more akin to the dolphin-rapid in or movements, darting and diving, a little edgy. Watching the pod for confirmation. But twelve months on we have settled into our new world and in pace, rhythm and restful solitude this is our summer of the turtle."

In the fall they plan their biggest sail yet, three thousand miles across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. A journey that is daunting and exciting all at once. They tackle it as they have everything else so far: together. They each excel at things the other doesn't, they are a great team.

This book is a delight. Whether you have always dreamed of sailing away or you never intend to leave your chair, go along with Sandra and David as they experience the excitement (and yes, there is a little terror, too) of life at sea. The author has a lovely, easy way of writing that just invites you in and keeps you turning pages. Her sparks of humor are wonderful. I am so looking forward to the third book! Something of the Turtle is a perfect choice for both the armchair traveller and the true globe-trotter.

For more information about the author and her books, please visit her website and be sure to check in to her new blog, where you can go along on their travels!!

Something of the Turtle is published by Wheatmark. ISBN 978-1-60494-066-4.

Review: Dolphins Under My Bed by Sandra Clayton

Sandra Clayton is the first one to say that she was never very fond of sailing. Oh, the idea of it was alright, but the mechanics of it were the issue. A few holiday sails taken over the years are the extent of her sailing experience. And her husband David's, too.

But David is fed up with the cold & damp Northern England winters. The couple is in their mid-fifties, tired of the rat race and lengthy car commute, and their good health is just beginning to falter. That's when David has a brilliant idea. If they sell the house, buy a boat and live frugally, they can retire early and spend winters basking in the Mediterranean sunshine. Sandra is not keen. But eventually a compromise is reached in the form of a two hulled catamaran, which is much more stable and rides more comfortably than a traditional sailboat.

(I have to say how much I sympathize. We are from New England. You know, snow, Arctic temperatures, Nor'easters. We thought we were hardy. Then we spent some time in Northern England in February. Not a snowflake in sight and not even that cold on the thermometer but we were FREEZING. That damp cold that just sinks in and won't let you go. It was not that much warmer inside, either. We felt like wimps! But I digress...)

And so the great adventure begins. Through the English Channel, down the coast of Europe and around the rock of Gibraltar to the lovely Mediterranean. Along the way they will become intrepid sailors, absorb the culture of lovely small port towns (frequently while looking for the laundromat) and meet a vast array of people who are mostly eager to lend a hand. Mother Nature makes a grand appearance, too, a reminder that she is big and they are small.

The author's descriptions of the beauty that surrounds them are breathtaking. It is a wonderful story, full of adventure. The Claytons are an example for the rest of us, they are healthier and happier for their choice. Don't wait until it is too late, pursue your dreams. Make the sacrifices now so you don't end up saying, when it is too late, "If I had only..."

A sequel, Something of the Turtle, will be published in the spring and a third book is in the planning stages. I am thrilled to hear that the Claytons are still sailing and can't wait to read of their continuing life aboard!

Dolphins Under My Bed is published by Wheatmark. ISBN 978-1-58736-816-5

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