The writing of this book has been like many sailing voyages: begun with boundless enthusiasm and ending with quiet exhilaration. During its passage there were emotional storms, periods when I despaired of surviving the distance. There were also times when the sun shone, the wind behind me blew steadily, and I knew my way.
The strongest winds were those from the many who helped bring the book to fruition. I acknowledge gratefully the Australian Society of Authors for the mentorship they awarded me. This was the first small sign that what I wrote might have some interest outside my family and friends. Then there is my mentor, Diana Giese, whose never-flagging enthusiasm and friendship buoyed me when the passage seemed too hard and too stormy. She was also responsible for the arrival of agent Gaby Naher into my life. That was one of the best days, and I am so thankful to Gaby for her keenly perceptive guidance. Finally, I want to thank the team at Allen & Unwin for having sufficient belief in the book to even want to publish it at all! An extra-special thanks to Louise Thurtell, Ali Lavau, Ann Lennox and Lauren Finger, without whom it would have been a much less-finished piece.
I will appreciate forever the input of my sailing guru, Johnnie Keown, who tried to teach me not only how to sail, but the value of that higher skill of seamanship, and John Egan and The Executive Connection (TEC) for teaching me that it’s okay have personal dreams as well as business goals.
The other group of people without whom the book could not have been possible are the wonderful group of long-range cruising sailors with whom Ted and I shared waters. I am haunted by the fear that I might have left out someone important, so I thank you too and ask here that you will forgive me. Thank you to: Terry and Elaine from Virgo’s Child, Judith and Harry from Vahana, Robin and Suzy from True Blue, Jay and Carol from Gandalf, Pete and Chris from Chatti, Karl and Sandy from Fantasy1, Christa and Martin from Meitli, Tony on Checkmate, Mike and Jos, Pippa and Justine from Mary Constance, Bart, Dorothy, Thibaut and Olivier from Bauvier, Steve and Annamie from Wakalele, Tom and Dee from Axe Calibre, Bill from Saltair, Bill and Eleanor from Time Out, Tim from Libelle, Bill and Lisa from Apollo, Gay and Pete from Giselle, Larry and Ken from Julia, and, of special mention, the inimitable Bob from Tasneem and the beautiful Guido.
Nothing in the world of words is achieved without knowledge and love of language. The education that engendered this for me came from Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane’s Twelfth Night Theatre, especially Rhoda Felgate, my earliest idol.
Finally, to my husband and best buddy Ted Nobbs, who joined me in our sailing adventure and escape from the rat race, who bore all my witticisms at his expense with amused good grace, and who tirelessly edited many drafts of the manuscript – my thanks and love forever.
Nancy Knudsen
February 2011