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Cathy Manuel
Cathy Manuel

Cathy Manuel

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  • Cathy ManuelNomadic NovemberTraveler

    Surfing

    November 5, 2023 in Nicaragua ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Up to teach yoga…. My first time teaching in Central America (minus some impromptu classes in Belize), since being certified. How amazing is it to come full circle!
    Breakfast was incredible and then off to Playa Maderas for surf lessons (Lynn sprained her ankle on the walk over and Alisha had the board hit her in the neck). I got up… and had a blast!!
    Came back to the Villas at noon and took a dip in the pool before chatting with Andreia. She went to town in the afternoon and took people who needed money and alcohol. I stayed back and worked… but decided to go to the pool and then down to the beach for some fun in the waves again.
    The sky’s opened as we were heading to the big yoga Shala and Andrèia taught a short sunset class as we were worried about getting people knack in the dark.
    We returned, had supper… made transportation plans for tomorrow and I went and taught a Yin class. Then relaxed with some of the tribe before heading to bed.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelNomadic NovemberTraveler
    1

    Journey to Connection

    November 4, 2023 in Nicaragua ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    Woke up to the sound of the howler monkeys. Another good sleep and early morning. Andréia took us on a tour of the property, to the other yoga Shala, and Sarah made a big breakfast. After breakfast we started moving things down to the villas we will be occupying for the retreat and I took one final uninhabited swim in the secluded pool.
    Andréia left at 11am to run errands and meet with the driver who will be collecting the rest of the participants. I hung behind to set up the rooms and ready for there arrival. We stayed in constant contact with each other and the participants as they got to the airport and through immigration.
    Sam and I headed to the beach to see Faustino to discuss some plant medicine for those in the group who expressed interest. I stayed at the beach for sometime, playing in the waves myself and just enjoying the solitude.
    While waiting for the crew, Sarah, Sam and I had chats and I shared some of my poetry. It felt good!
    The group arrived and shortly after we had a beauty meal together and celebrated Andre and Lynn’s birthday together with a cake.
    Half the crew went to bed and the other half hung out at the pool for an hour before retiring. We didn’t do yoga last night and have switched the schedule to accommodate surfing at 9am which I will try with 4 others.
    Andréia and I are sharing a room and Sarah has her own. We chatted about who would teach and do what tomorrow, I checked InReach and then to bed!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelNomadic NovemberTraveler

    Tropical rain

    November 3, 2023 in Nicaragua ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    We were up early, at Villa Carcola, and luckily before we went to bed, we checked the coffee situation and requested some. Same made a big pot and used some of our snacks for breakfast. Andréia and I headed to Playa Maderas to meet Faustino who took us to Budget, where we picked up our 4x4, standard, truck. We then went to markets and stores trying to find the food we needed. Typically fruit and vegetables are not expensive, but due to lack of rain they are not plentifully and more expensive. We couldn’t find postcards anywhere (to write a message to our Participant). Back to the Villa and then meet with Ricardo to go over some things and Justa (chef) to discuss other stuff. We were quoted $10 but it increased. Andréia is a skilled negotiator and was able to keep it the same.
    As we were heading to the beach Sarah and Sam were returning.
    Andréia and I enjoyed some splashing in the waves and then it started to rain. We just laid in the rain and silence, and took in natures joy. Back at the Villa we had fun splashing in the rain and we’re greeted with a spectacular lightening show.
    We had a charcuterie board, and some of Sarah’s wine stash (which I bought for her). Andréia and I continued to work on retreat stuff and messages to participants, while Sam and Sarah enjoyed pool time.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelNomadic NovemberTraveler

    Liberia to San Juan del Sur

    November 2, 2023 in Nicaragua ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Left the house at 4:20am and dropped of my gear to Andréia’s and then dropped of car at Dads. We headed to the airport and flight, plus transfer through Montreal was smooth, however, we sat on the tarmac for 45min waiting for a missing food trolley. Crazy long line at customs but Luis was waiting for us on the other side. We meant up with Sam and Sarah and headed to the border… a 1.5hr drive. We stopped to go into immigration and show passport (Sarah had to pay a exit tax but since we were in transit we did not need too). Luis drove us another 300m and we got out and walked. We checked in with guards along the walk to show passport and then headed to immigration to pay. Andréia was taking photos (to help guide the others through the process), and we had a photographer in our group…. This caused alarm at the border and it took us a long time to get through. Our Nicaragua driver, Eviresto, was really helpful.
    We had a beautiful drive to San Juan del Sur but missed our rental car pick up due to delays. We decided to stop and eat as there was no food at the Villas. We went to El Timon, then headed to the Villas. Once there I stripped down and jumped in the pool. Sam and Sarah joined, and eventually Andréia. I was extremely tired and had a headache, so lights out early for me.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelNomadic NovemberTraveler

    Getting ready

    November 1, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ -2 °C

    Chaos is usually the modus operandi the day before leaving. I didn’t disappoint, although I was packed early!
    It has been an unexpected, fearful and paralyzing 5weeks as past trauma was tripped in my brain. Body was in high alert and my mind turned to mush.
    Travel has never been scary … in some ways, it feels like I am going home, coming into myself. It is familiar and calming… I am looking forward to quieting the mind, relaxing the body and rejuvenating the soul.
    Leading a yoga retreat, exploring on my own, and Sailing on Lorena are all things I can sink into like a warm maternal hug.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Levee on the Lake

    August 18, 2023 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Up and left Sue’s at 6am to get to Sackville for the Levee. Shift on Friday and Saturday was 8am to 11:30pm. So much great energy and fun at this festival! Reg, Tracy(s), Jodi, Shelley and Stacy are a great crew! Always lots of food (GF just for moi)!
    Got to continue wearing foul weather gear, cut up my festival shirt, paddled while listening to David Miles in high winds and danced to Melanie Morgan and the Divorcees.
    Heading back to Moncton on Sunday night to teach a yin class, after the final act (Jimmy Rankin) begins.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler
    1
    2

    Race week

    August 17, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Up, caffeinated and WhatsUp conversation before heading back down to Chester for day 2 of raceweek. We had another second place! Felt so good to race with a crew and the rail chatter had me laughing the entire time!
    Took a loop around the clubhouse before heading to the cottage in Chester Grant. Allison was headed out for the evening, with Salmon on the grill Shaun, Louis and I went down to the lake and Shaun and I took a quick swim. Showered and helped prep the meal (salad). Enjoyed sometime with the crew before heading back to Halifax with Sue and to bed before midnight.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Chester

    August 16, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Up early to grab food and coffee before hitting the road to Chester with Sue.
    Great to see the King of Normandy crew again (Allison, Louis, Francois and Shaun). Tendered food and people to the boat and then headed for the start line. We waited a few hours for the wind to fill and then we finally got to race.
    We finished 2 in a 2.5hr race. Back to Sue’s for food and a soak in the hottub, before hitting the basement for sleep!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Goodbyes are hard

    August 15, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Finished up a letter this morning. I adore the opportunity to sit quietly in the morning, across from Brian, drink coffee and write for an hour. Then made a big French toast breakfast, showered and chatted for my last couple of hours on the boat. Although the sailing was at times stressful with the lobster pot situation, waking up to sunrises and hot coffee, dancing, writing, exploring and talking has been so peaceful in a soul stirring way!
    Got in the car and fuelled up in Calais, got stopped at the border for a random car search and continued all the way on to Sue’s. Got there at 9:15pm and chatted for the next 3hours.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Back to Rockland

    August 15, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Up hard this morning! Had some coffee and wrote for quite awhile then made a big breakfast. Brian did lots of boat chores and I was able to help with a few.
    We set sail in the afternoon and it was warm and beautiful… the perfect day for a sail. Sad to be back to the final destination and departing tomorrow!! We left the boat and dropped some stuff in the car and then went in a search for some food. We decided on Archer’s … unfortunately there was gluten in the food again. Back to the boat to dance, listen to guitar, bathroom breaks and to bed.Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Sunset at Archer’s

    August 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Once in picturesque Rockland, we took the tender to shore with some of my belongings, walked around the small town where most stores and restaurants were closed on Mondays. We went back to the tender and motored to the public dock and strolled along the waterfront to Archer’s. We had a beautiful scallop dinner, unfortunately mine had bread crumbs. Mosquitoes were bad but sunset was gorgeous. Late evening trip back to the boat and off to bed between visits to the head.Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Cradle Cove

    August 13, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Up and had a coffee and nice breakfast, then started a long letter. Had a long chat with Brian. It is only a few days before I must leave — so many unknowns, but also so much that has touched my heart this trip.
    We pulled up anchor and headed for Cradle Cove in the morning. It was a fun and frolicking ride to the cove. When we got here there were only a few boats so we spent some time on the transom, and then took showers. Once back on deck there were XX in the cove — we went to the rooftop to watch them. They were a beautiful sight. We shared some poetry,
    had a great meal, danced (a fairly regular occurrence on this trip), chatted with my brother, listened to the guitar and called it another night. I am truly going to miss this life, miss this man and his brilliance — feeling so blessed to have had this extraordinary experience!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Holdsbrook Island

    August 12, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We got up, did some boat chores, enjoyed the warmth, and eventually headed into the boatyard to pay for the mooring, and slipped away from Benjamin River up the Eggemoggin Reach, put out the sails and turned off the engine for a few hours. We sailed under Deer Isle Bridge and rounded the point, but the lobster pots got to intense so we turned on the engine again and motor sailed to Holdsbrook Island.
    From our anchorage we could see Castine, but unfortunately we dragged most of the night. Always an unpleasant sound listening to the anchor drag!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Boat Chores

    August 11, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Up early and we were heading into the dock to meet Andy. Brian had sent packages to his home that need to be picked up. We got them all and I sat at the dock doing emails and work while Brian unpacked most of them. We went for a walk to the top of the lane and back to the dingy.
    Breakfast was using the last three eggs to make some b’fast sandwiches using salsa and cheese…. Trying to be creative.
    It was a warm and beautiful day!! Got to wear shorts and a tank top all day! We changed the gooseneck on the boom, the CCU (central control unit) for the freezer (ice chest), and spliced some cables. Brian also cleaned out some other areas. We then bravely decided to ignore the water temp warnings and take a plunge. The current started to sweep us as soon as we jumped in, so it was a quick dip with a warm shower on the transom. We then sat atop the pilot house and enjoyed the sunshine and chat.
    I was excited to wear a dress as we were meeting Andy and Leslie for a meal (Thai/ Sushi). I had pad Thai and tuna roll. We then went to get some groceries…. Andy dropped us off at the store and picked us up again (but forgot Mangos).
    Sadly, there must have been gluten in the meal and I was sick the rest of the night in the boat.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Benjamin River

    August 10, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Left Seal Cove early morning and motor sailed for 41nm. It was a beautiful day, but Brian hurt his back getting the snubber unattached from the anchor ride so was taking painkillers through the day.
    Eyes always have to be on the water as lobster pots threaten the passage. Happy that we haven’t hooked in several days!
    We arrived to our destination and plan to meet Andy (Brian’s friend). We went to 3 different moorings before we finally got settled. We dropped the dingy and went for a little jaunt around the harbour and then got back to the boat, but we were on someone’s ball who asked us to leave so we found a 4th.
    Shrimp and a concoction of quinoa, apple, currants and onions (low provisions) were on the menu.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Seal Cove (Bois Bobert Island)

    August 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    A lazy morning that should have started earlier…. We pulled up anchor at 11:30 and motored into the wind for 5hrs… making 25nm.
    We tucked into Seal Cove for the night (as there was no other options). The anchor was making lots of noises and we set twice in this small, lobster pot filled, cove.
    Sword fish was on the menu tonight along with a back massage.
    The swells from sea had the boat rocking lots so sleep was challenging.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Shorey Cove

    August 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Storm day! It was an odd day…..We woke up and had our regular routine. Chad (the fisherman) stopped by around 8:30 to drop off 4 lobsters.
    We pulled up anchor and headed for more protected waters in the morning. Brian had several calls with crew and family, got his website up and sent out lots of emails…. I did the Retreat poster. Emotions were strong on the silent stormy day, and they begged to spill out onto a page. Decided to address it, to open the box, we had a good chat.
    Lobster 1 died and we ate it in the afternoon, the other three in the evening!
    More reading and then headed to bed around 9:30 amidst the howling wind.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    In the pastel

    August 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Up early as always and enjoy spending the morning in the pilot house reading or writing in quiet while Brian does the same, sipping our coffee. Watched him view, and make adjustments to his pastel before doing some chores on the boat and waited for Chad to arrive, but he never did. We went to shore and Brian did a Pastel while I found a cosy spot on a fallen tree (albeit ants found me) to read my book. We then walked the mile long beach before heading back to the boat to make a delicious super (haddock, salad, baked potato). Our provisions are getting low but a storm is rolling in so we will find a sheltered place on the other side of the island to wait it out.
    Read more, danced to Brian’s playlist and listened to his strumming the guitar… a normal evening on the boat.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Roque

    August 6, 2023 in the United States

    Great day! Even though the weather hasn’t been warm (by my standards) it has still been enjoyable and my foul weather gear has got lots of use!
    We had a pot wrapped around the prop from yesterday’s sail and Brian had to gear up for cold water and take the plunge to unsnag us. There is a cold water advisory warning people not to go into the waters due to the low temperatures. He was brave!!
    We revelled in the sun (and no wind) afterwards untill the wind picked up.
    Off to a shack on shore to do a pastel and then on the way back to the boat we detoured to say hi to a fishing boat that had come into this secluded anchorage. Chad and his family were relaxing for the day. The told us that there was a path to the lighthouse behind the shack, and after he promised to bring us lobster, we headed back to the shack.
    Went for a walk down the wooden path to the lighthouse — a beautiful sight.
    Then onto the stressful, lobster pot filled waterway to Roque island. The waterway inlet gave way to a gorgeous beach and some warm and protected waters. Fishing boats were rafted together, so once we got settled, we decided to go visit them and head to the beach to clean the hairy scum off the dingy. One of the boats gave us 3 lobsters (Brian asked if they had extra). They were cooked so we feasted in the beach before dealing with the dingy and heading back to Lorena.
    We had a bit more to eat before the guitar came out and I wafted off to lala land.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Mistake Island

    August 5, 2023 in the United States

    What a trip! We saw Jim (from the Marina) who was checking on how the night went and making sure we got off the ball 🙂. We pulled up anchor shortly after 10am and heading toward Mistake Island. We had the Jenny out but didn’t put up the Main sail. It took longer then expected and there were lots of pots to zigzag around. Unfortunately, we snagged one after coming through a narrow passage. We bobbed around in 27ft of water as Brain worked to cut away the pot. Jim mentioned that folks had just come back from Mistake and Roque and really liked Mistake, so following the charts, we headed into the first entrance (before the lighthouse). It looked horrible and at the last minute (after seeing 2 feet on the Sonar) Brian quickly pulled out of the area. We ended up heading down the Main Channel and into a quiet and secluded anchorage, covered by smooth rock. There was a rock fairly close by and I was worried most of the night that the anchor wouldn’t hold. Brian turned in the anchor alarm and it seems that we were ok.Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Winter Harbor

    August 4, 2023 in the United States

    Up and had a nice granola breakfast, coffee and relaxing before pushing off from the mooring at 8:30am at Frencboro. We left under full Main Sail and put the Genoa up shortly after. We hit up to 7 knots and I got to sail for 3/4 of the way. We covered 26 nautical miles and had great wind. Lots of fun dodging the lobster pots, particularly between little duck island. I ended up running between two and it snagged on the back of the tender prop. Luckily we had just brought in the Gennie as we were on a Broad reach almost dead downwind. We let the main out fully and finally managed to come untangled. We bumped along until we go to the harbour, in the rain, and we took a mooring ($60).
    Got boat stuff settled and then packed up in the rain and headed for a 1 mile walk to the library. We managed to spend 2 hours at the library and then onto a longer walk to the seafood store for lots of goodies. Back to the boat for lobster, oysters and more. Relaxing evening listening to Brian play the guitar and took a hot shower before bed. It is cold!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Frenchboro

    August 3, 2023 in the United States

    Leisurely morning, pancakes for breakfast. Headed out from North Haven in search of internet. It has been tough to get work done as I haven’t had much cell signal. Decided to go to Frenchboro as Brain had never been there before. Other than watching for pots, it was a fairly easy trip, we reffed the Main and the Jenny and enjoyed the day of sailing.
    We got into Frenchboro and picked up a mooring ball. We hopped into the tender and went to the small wharf restaurant, were two lobster rolls (mine in lettuce) was $61 USD 🥴! The people running it were from NYC and it was there first summer … they were hound and friendly. There was wifi but only a picnic area outside and it was supposed to rain and be cold tomorrow. We settled for the evening with plans to leave in the morning.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Flying Fish

    August 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Beautiful day in North Haven! Up early and enjoyed some writing time. Brian worked on his pastel — they are so beautiful. We saw Charlie and Gabby out on the boat and we were hopeful that we would have a chance to sail with them. Gabby had mentioned 2pm and right around then, they came an asked if we still wanted to go. We got our stuff together, including Ketchup chips, and headed to the dock where we met Mary (Charlies cousin) and we all enjoyed a fantastic sail on Flying Fish. The boat was easy to control and got up to 15knots.Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    North Haven (Iron Point)

    August 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Anchor away…. We came off the hook and headed north, motoring and looking out for pots most of the way. I enjoyed being at the helm and great conversations with Brian. We arrived in North Haven, past a beautiful fishing village and around the corner a trimaran emerged. We nestled up to it and picked up a mooring ball.
    Some food and an afternoon interlude, then a conversation with Charlie and Gabby who had arrived out to there boat and were cleaning it.
    We headed to a small, falling over hut and Brain did a pastel while I read in the dingy. We headed back to the boat and then to shore to have a meal with Charlie and Gabby…. I rode in the cabin while Brian and Gabby in the back of the truck. We went to a Pizza Place (formerly owned by Charlie) and Gabby and I had a great conversation about psilocybin, meditation and her career with WHO and her daughter in the UK.
    We walked back to the dock, headed back to the boat and retired for the evening.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Montreal to Owls Head

    July 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Another long driving day! Arrived at Rockland to drop off the car around 2pm and met Brian on shore at 3pm. We stayed on the boat for the evening and then will depart tomorrow.

  • Cathy ManuelLorena, Maine 2023Traveler

    Brunch and BotaBota

    July 30, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Another good sleep and off to again feed the meter and have brunch with Ashlynn and Hugo (a crepe place with lots of GF options).
    We walked around the neighbourhood again and then headed back to the apartment where we got ready for the spa. Decided to bike down to BotaBota — lots of fun! We throughly enjoyed 4hours at the place doing 4 different Nordic rounds.
    Since it was all downhill we tried to get electric bikes but after several stations with no luck and looming rain we decided to take the bus. We got caught in some rain but still a great experience!
    Home to some leftover food and gathered stuff for an early departure tomorrow (Ashlynn to the Dr for 8pm and Hugo train to Ottawa, me back to Maine).    Read more

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