Well, for starters my trip to Boston from St. Thomas only cost me $100.00 I got a tremendous discount on my room at the Marriott in Newton. Blue and I were able to go for long walks in our old park and play throw the ball... We were able to see some old friends, and I got all the initial supplies I needed for the boat shipped directly to me in Newton, MA. I was able to get all the papers in order for Blue Belle to come with me on the trip. I was able to get a reasonable flight of $700 to Manchester. I was able to bring Blue on the flight through an agency and picked her up as soon as we got to Manchester, England. I was able to get her certified as a service animal, and was able to get a rental car and a hotel and was even able to get to Scotland without any accidents... A miracle considering what I dealt with on the freeways there... I managed to get a boat that I can live on, and I had enough money for the surprises that David Cook and Company threw at me... I was able to fins a room for 20 pounds a night instead of the 50 plus pounds a night at the other hotels in the area. it was close to food, and the town, and the Marina where the boat was. I was able to get all initial supplies and store them on the boat while we waited for the money to clear... I was able to have enough cash left over initially to put all the equipment I bought and brought with me on board and have it installed. I was able to see Willie and his brother several times. I was able to have him join me on the journey initially, and he was a real blessing while he was with me in the beginning. I was able to get from Fairlie Quay Scotland all the way to Conwy, Wales even with knackered engines, etc... I was able to get to Holyhead, Wales with the help of Willie as well where I was then able to really sort out the most major problems and continue. Up to this point I was able to pay all my obligations each month because my school continued to pay me for the work I had done... I was able to sort out a new motor, wind generator, and solar panels. this allowed me to keep moving forward and eventually I was able to leave Holyhead and go to Arklow, Ireland. I had a good rate at the Marina in Holyhead, and Ed the owner, really treated me nice. I was able to meet new friends while there and reconnect with old ones... (like Ian Dickman who I had met in Conway). I met Luis, Linda, Matt, and others... but a real shout out to Paul Conway who I met there. He was a Godsend. He said something to me I shall never forget. When he said it to me I knew he meant business, and that he was truly a forever friend. I celebrated 13 years of continuous sobriety there in Holyhead and really enjoyed the AA there. I was able to go to AA meetings in Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland... AMAZING AA THERE!!!!!! I got a cold and was able to afford to go see the Doctor and get medicine to help me heal. It was in fact the worst sore throat I ever had. I don't know how it happened, but I wont drink water and brush my teeth with the tank water ever again, and I have started treating it with the tablets... what a nightmare, yet God brought me through!!! I was able to get Tylenol 2 (like Tylenol 3, just less)while in the UK and in Spain. This was good because I didn't want to get a real serious injury or reoccurrence of that sore throat and not have something to knock it out with... I was able to get a bicycle to take back to St. Thomas, so I can get to work and up the mountains. My current bike just wont do it... this is a good mountain bike and in fact much less than a good one bought in the USA. I was able to get a trailer so I could go and get gas and groceries for the boat when I get back. And even while I was there in Holyhead was able to get groceries delivered to my boat. I found a delivery service here in La Palma to that is free, I just need money now for the groceries...:-) and I can buy gas right here at the Marina, a rare find these days.... mostly only Diesel at the marinas... I have managed to live for 6 months without working, (even though I wanted to work) I have learned how to be abased and to abound. to flourish in every season of my life. I have been able to run and do exercises. I was able to find a pool to train in in Wales, and even a Sauna... I was able to see a movie with my great friend Uncle Arthur's daughter and her husband about a boxer, and was even able to go see Annie.. it was great! Even got a student fare for that. I have ran in the mountains, along the coast, in the forest, and Blue and I have raked up hundreds of miles here in Europe. I was able to go see my brother and his family and spend time with my niece and nephew. we even took in a day in Brussels which was nice... I have been able to find cheap toiletries and personals to keep groomed here and my Paul Mitchell shampoo has lasted the entire trip until tomorrow or the next day. I have eaten well, had the time of my life, have had the opportunity to see places like not too many get too, and With the help of the Holy Spirit have managed to sail alone from Holyhead, Wales to La Palma, canary Islands. I was able to call the US Embassy for help when I ran out of money, I have been able to communicate with my debtors, and explain the situation to them. I have been able to communicate with my school and let them know what is going on. I have hopefully managed to save my jobs when I return and to get out of this debt sooner as opposed to later. I am going to go head first into paying it all down before affording myself any luxuries, including the new BOSS "The Scent" that I want very badly... have to stick with Fahrenheit:-) I was able to get sea sickness tablets in order to not be seasick, and they actually work... I heard a lady talk about them in Conway, and then was able to walk into a store see them on the shelf and ask for them... I was able to get more Berroca, which provides a little boost to me as I have felt very low energy these past months probably because of the stress and pressure... I have been able to lubricate my eyes thanks to Refresh drops from Costco. I am very happy for that as they are getting a little more blurry, yet I am standing on the Word of God for 20/10 eyesight again. I have had many Spiritual experiences on the boat, and finding Dr. Lester Sumrall on Short-wave radio was a real, real, real, real, real, tremendous blessing.... every night at 17:30 Europe time... what a blessing. I have been able to fast and pray and seek Gods face as well as find His provision along the way... I am just so happy to be a part of this journey. I was able to cross the Bay of Biscay and even though I was frightened several times I knew the Lord was with Blue and I and that the Holy Spirit was guiding me every step of the way. It was a great sail from Muxia, Spain to La Palma even though the steering went out, My broker managed to get in touch with the designers son who knew exactly what to do and in one email I was on my way in less than an hour. I found social services here in La Palma and asked them along with the Embassy to help me. no word yet, yet I was proactive and busy, doing what I felt like I should do to stay open and honest before the people. This has been the greatest experience of my life and I regret not one piece of it. although I could have done without the nonsense and the lying, and the cheating, and the problems... every time God shone forth and brought me through to the other side. It is Miraculous, and I love Him, and I love talking about Him. I get no fame, fortune or glory of my own record or accord here. All Glory, Honor, and anything I am is a direct result of God and the All Glory and Honor is due His Name, Forever , Amen. I am only here and only this far because of His grace and Glory operating in my life. I am so thankful to Him that it is easy to share with others who ask, and some who don't .:-) Still not married, and didn't meet the love of my life, yet I keep up the hope, and continue to love The true love of my heart The Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Blessed Holy Spirit three in one...
Finally here are a few more pictures I uploaded to share with you what this place is like. Enjoy.
