The interaction with the boys and seeing them grow

Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Fri 22 Oct 2010 03:58
This afternoon I took Sean sailing in the dinghy in the last 6 months he has come on so far he now steers the sail boat and is understanding the wind and tacking and loves it, he is still not 5. But Alex would not be left out and he wanted a turn and he came out steered with help, and is very comfortable in the dinghy. For both of them boats and water have been their life, so it should not be a surprise but it is great to see the concentration and enjoyment and want to do it.
Sean and I did a long snorkel today we trying to get his technique more natural, but we loves pointing out the different types of fish and then coming back to the boat and finding them in the book. With monkeys making loud noises all morning in the trees above the beach and then bouncing from tree to tree the boys had nature all around.
Just before sunset Tracy and I took our canoes and boys and went along the coast on a bird watch we saw 12 different types of birds from Osprey, to Tiger Herons, to Kingfishers and waders, all lovely, we have a laminated Central American bird chart which we take with us and the boys can then identify and we talk about them etc. It is amazing to see how both boys have such an interest, and want to learn, and just absorb the information, as it happens around them.
Tracy has also pulled out her paints the last 2 days and has started painting again, doing a small painting of a blue footed boobey, but it is nice to see her doing her own hobbies, as with the boys we often loose this.
Denny our friend has gone on to Golifito pity he is on such a schedule as he will have done the whole of Costa Rica in 2 weeks we want enjoy it and take our time to absorb, but he is doing well had some uncomfortable passages, but when you are on schedule that is the way it is.
As I sit here and write this in the cockpit the water is till out, a slight breeze, and we see some lights from around the bigger bay, the jungle night noises in the back ground, it is very peaceful, as I just fished a call with Rashesh ( my old boss) who is coming home from one of the Wonderware parties after their major customer conference this week, first one I have missed in 14 years, but it went well, which I would expect from the team. It seams and is far away from from where I am sitting, it is actually nice to be removed, and able to look at it from the outside, while missing part of it.
But when you can look up at the stars, hear the jungle sounds and the lapping of small waves on the near beach I am happy here.