Gypsy cruising

Going Primal!

2011-02-16T18:15:00.000-08:00

Well,I am going back into the TIME TUNNEL,not quite!, maybe ,some of you remember that old TV show. I have been on the PRIMAL BLUEPRINT, for about six weeks. This is a lifestyle as described in Mark Sisson book PRIMAL BLUEPRINT. I have to say,that,i never followed,or was interested in diet and/or lifestyle type books. I actually stumbled into this publication. The results so far ,have been fantastic. Lost 11lbs of body fat, in about 5 weeks!. My energy levels are stable, and the exercise recommendations, are based on our genetic make up. The basic premise is to live by TEN primal laws, and of primary importance,is to stabilize your insulin!. I urge everybody,to at least read this book with an open mind, GROCK ON!

playing MISTY

2011-02-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

Ice Age

2011-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

Wow!,The Northeast got clobbered,fortunately, i was in port St. lucie ,Fla,on vacation, going on long walks on the beach, and working out with my 24kg, kettlebell, outdoors!,Life is good1, Ice only on my bourbon ,please!

thinking about summer

2011-01-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

As i finish my basement kettlebell workout, i was thinking about summer,or at least about , being on Gypsy, as she beats to windward, under a 20kt,breeze,it brought a smile to my face.Winter,seems to have us under its grip, and,i realize, that,no matter how beautiful New England is in summer, winter here,is NOT sustainable.What is a person to do?aahh,yes, dream of a quiet anchorage!

New Year, New Ideas

2011-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Hello all, As the new year,is in its infancy,i decided to postpone my retirement from the fire service. This is about, a six month postponement. I finally got my RKC kettlebell trainer certification, and, now, wish to pursue, a Certified Natural Trainer course of study. This training philosophy, is used by Jon Hinds and his peers, at the MONKEY BAR GYM in Madison, Wisconsin. My understanding,is, that it is a training/and or lifestyle based on functional movement, Eichens Yoga, and a plant based nutrition. There is no use of machines or slow cardio. The intention, is to become a fitness trainer, and utilize these skills,and knowledge, to help others, who have an open mind about alternative concepts of fitness. It has been proven that functional fitness, core strength, and Low Glycemic nutrition,is the path to follow for training longevity, and long term, weight control. All these leads to a better ,happier life. No more misguided fitness goals, and mostly ineffective, training programs at conventional gyms with mirrors,weight machines, Tv,s, and cardio machines to do,mostly, ineffective Long Slow Cardio, while reading fitness magazines!. This knowledge,is adaptable to help, clients while cruising, as the fitness equipment used is minimal and portable.Life is short, be nice to your friends, and peace! Gypsy, is hibernating, and will be looking forward to getting her rounded body in the water this summer!

Back in the US

2010-10-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hello, My trip to Buenos Aires,was short, about 5 days, but took care of some belated family business.I saw my two cousins, which,i had not seen in about 40 years!, i must admit, i wouldnt of recognized my cousin Christian,if i saw him in the street.Buenos Aires, has a huge security problem, and,it seems its residents live in constant fear of being mugged, assaulted and yes some kidnapped for small sums of money. They call those Express Kidnappings.Overall, its a shame that its corrupt government allows this tsunami of insecurity to continue. Individually most Buenos Aires people, i came in contact were friendly and kind. But if traveling there, BE AWARE!.

Buenos Aires

2010-09-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hello All, Its time to head back to Rhode Island. I will be back for a couple days, then,I am on my way to my chilhodd home of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was there last in 2004. I am reurning to finalize some pending business, that had to do, with my fathers passing.
y time in Alicante ,Spain was great. and sometimes wonder, if cruising the Mediterranean,is a good idea. There is a lot to see, as this Sea, was vey important in the development of Western civilization.

Spanish Moon

2010-09-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

Hello, I am currently in Alicante Spain visiting my only surviving family member, my mother. This city was the start last year of the Volvo, Round the World Race. In general,i am not much for the yachting scene or races. I identify completely withe the cruising world. am enjoying my stay, and training hard for my upcoming RKC certification challenge

Utility boat

2010-08-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

I was thinking lately, about my utility/lifeboat. She is my 7 foot Fatty Knees dinghy, i purchased her, used and although, not yet proven, she comes highly recommended.The somewhat, difficult part to figure out,is how to properly secure her to the deck of GYPSY. It seems that the Westsail 28 and 32, dont have as easy an arrangement to secure a overturned dinghy on deck, as say a Bristol Channel Cutter. So, i have to come up with a suitable on deck securing arrangement. I hate drilling holes to the deck,for additional cleats or padeyes!.

A THING is a terrible thing to waste

2010-07-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

One of the difficult things to come to terms with,is my relationship with my thing.Back in 93,i bought this 1974 VW THING, which,i partially restored. Fast forward to some years ahead, and i sold it. BUT the chance to have it back came to me, so, i had the compulsion to buy it back. I have this unfinished business to finish the restoration. Its illogical,in some respects, but, it called me to do this. Am ,i stuck in the seventies?, lets face it, a 1976 Westsail 28, and a 1974 VW Thing!. I dont do bellbottoms, or disco though. Anyway, i am driven to restore this car further. But the plans for GYPSY , dont change.

Music to my ears, maybe yours2

2010-07-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, One of my other interests and challenges to myself, is the continual and daily practice of Trumpet playing. I have been taking lessons and playing for about 4 years. I was inspired to try to produce a sound similar to CHRIS BOTTI, but,it is apparent that, i may not have enough years to play in this lifetime!.However, i enjoy it nonetheless, and it requires no electrical power from boat batteries. My new challenge, is teaching myself to play UKULELE, which is done very informally. The study of the trumpet is serious and pretty regimented, and the Ukulele is much more laid back. i would like to achieve at least intermediate competence , so i can enjoy playing with other cruisers and beach pot luck parties , in palm lined beaches .

alternative transport

2010-06-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, Part of making the transition to a simpler life,in my view,is enjoying a more Car Free lifestyle. To this effect,i have the use of my mid-nineties customized Specialized commuting bicycle, and my EGO electric powered scooter.I get a lot of pleasure from the use of these two machines. Eventually, i will part with my daily driver. but have to definitely have it one more winter!

on the hard and Fire service retirement in sight!

2010-06-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, all, Its been a while since last post,so,i wanted to update blog. Gypsy,is on the hard. I need to do some minor work, such a zinc replacement, andneed to put the mast up, and tune the new rigging, as it had time to stretch. I have already decided on a retirement from the Fire Service. It will take place exactly a year from now!. Of course , the cruising plans havent been determined yet! so, chart purchases are still in the works. I will be attending a RKC certification,in the fall of this year (KETTLEBELL CERTIFICATION). I hope to be able to teach ,people, the proper use,of this most effective and brutal fitness and conditioning tool. This should take place as i start to transition, into a new chapter of my life.

December update

2009-12-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hello,this month GYPSY is covered and hibernating, till next year.I was injured at a fire on 10 Dec, but the life of two women and two dogs was saved. The fireground can be chaotic, and things change fast,all this in 0 visibility.The injury,was the result offalling down stairs.Other ,than this ,i was doing a lot of bicycle commuting, and playing my trumpet, which ,is a constant challenge,i need more time with my uke,as well!

time for more simplicity

2009-09-08T11:46:00.001-07:00

Well, i am temporarily staying aboard GYPSY, more often, as i have given up my apartement of eleven years, my home since being divorced in 98.I have parted with a lot of material stuff, and useless stuff ,that most of us accumulate with time. The real goal ,is to now live in smaller ,more inexpensive quarters, and get the loose ends, and Gypsy , further outfitted with new sails, a windvane, and just prepare mentally for the cruising lifesttyle. It has been a difficult summer weather wise. Hopefully October will bring some indian summer and a chance to sail more.

sailing on the bay

2009-07-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello, spent 05 July and 06 July, sailing in Narragansett Bay, nice 15 to 20 kt, winds from the West, anchored on Potters Cove, had a visit by Capt. BOB, Life is GOOD!

Gypsy is home

2009-06-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well, Gypsy was launched on 12 June 09, did not leave Portsmouth, N.H,until the afternoon of the 13th,due to some navigation light issues.After , leaving Portsmouth, I spend two days in Isle of Shoals, and from there made a stop in Scituate,Ma. The waterfront here was very friendly and spend a pleasant evening at a local watering hole. The next leg was from Scituate, to Cataumet, Ma. I spent two evenings at a mooring on KINGMAN Marine, the dock staff was very friendly and helpful.The one negative ,of this place,were the outdated laundry facilities. Next leg was to Cuttyhunk, Ma .This place is very ,very mellow, as in just walk around a little and ,there isnt much else to do!, But in all fairness, maybe it was to early in the season. However loved the Raw Bar boat!, Gypsy is home, and we ara hoping to have more time cruising Narragansett Bay, and getting Aquainted with each othere!

Spring Launching and Cruising

2009-05-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

Gypsy will be launched on 12 june09, I will be leaving from Portsmouth ,NH. and cruising the waters of Buzzards Bay, Woods Hole, and visitng several places including Hadleys harbour, quisset harbor, and spending some time in Cuttyhunk, iwill then continue on to Narragansett bay, and visit Prudence Island, and Bristol, RI,

hello all

2009-03-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hello all, This is Mark, i am the owner of Gypsy, my 1976, Westsail 28, it has been a labor of love to purchase and restore her.I look forward to posting some of my adventures on her cruising, the waters of Buzzards Bay, Narragansett Bay, Cuttyhunkk, and any other nice anchorage in between.