Hey Patron,
The last month didn’t go exactly as planned.
I installed Starlink on the boat and immediately set off for some secluded anchorages where I had no internet before. The idea was to enjoy a few peaceful days in solitude with clear skies, calm waters, and plenty of time for myself.
The internet worked perfectly, and I was able to get work done while still having plenty of time for some wonderful hikes. It was a successful test for 2023, when we plan to cruise full-time, hopping between countries and remote anchorages without any mobile connection at all.
I slowly made my way toward Marciana Marina, anchoring in different bays each night. Santana will be staying at the local sailing club in Marciana Marina for the winter. I’ve known the staff there for a few years now, so I’m confident Santana will be in good hands while I’m away.
I couldn’t wait to climb Monte Capanne again—the highest mountain on Elba, standing at about 1,000 meters, and easily accessible from Marciana Marina. Chestnuts were ripe, and I collected a whole bag of them before stopping by the local Chestnut Festival in the charming village of Poggio.
Oh boy, was it crowded! I haven’t been in a place with so many people in years.
And, well… that was about three weeks ago. For some reason, I still haven’t fully recovered from my COVID infection. Yep, I finally caught it. At least I was able to travel again and made it to Switzerland, where I’m enjoying the stunning mountain views—but the hiking will have to wait a little longer.
At the end of November and the beginning of December, I’ll spend a few days in Germany. Then, in December, I’ll head to Italy for a few weeks before flying to Tanzania, where I’ll be from January to mid-February.
Speaking of Tanzania…
There will be some changes next year. I’ll be drastically reducing my involvement there, and the way we support children will shift as well. We won’t be continuing the KIDZ association, but instead, we’ll support children privately. This will give us more flexibility to act quickly and, most importantly, to disengage when the help is no longer appreciated.
(If you’d like me to share more about this year’s struggles and the changes, hit reply and let me know!)
Because of these changes, there will also be some adjustments to this Patreon account. I know, another change! But this time, I’m going back to where it all started and renaming it “flohjoe”. It’s been my nickname since I lived in the US in 1997, and all my social media handles are @flohjoe. Even my coaching company is called flohjoe OÜ.
The adventure focus will stay, with one major change—but I’ll make it more personal. Over the past few years, I’ve posted logbook entries irregularly on my blog, and I’ll now include them for free on Patreon. As a Patron, you’ll have early access to these entries, but they’ll eventually be available to everyone with a slight delay.
What do you think of these changes?
Take care, my friend.
Floh
