Ryan’s Take:
After a few days of taking in San Sebastián and making some repairs to La Sirena, it was time to reconnect with home.
We set up the laptop on the saloon table, plugged into our Starlink Maritime system (seriously, what a lifesaver), and dialled in for a Zoom call with Da’ and our stepmum, Claire, back in Dublin.
Their faces appeared on the screen, smiling and blurry for a moment before sharpening into focus.
“Look at the two of ye!” Dad said, his voice filling the cabin. “Youse look like proper sailors now.”
Liam shot back with a grin, “And you look like a man who’s been having tea in the same mug for 20 years.”
Liam’s Take:
Calling home was grand.
It’s been exciting out here on the water. Dad’s been following our blog religiously, even pulling up the tracking map to check on our progress every morning.
“I showed Mrs. Keane next door where you are,” he said. “She’s convinced you’re the next Ernest Shackleton.”
Claire chimed in with her usual humor. “And I’m convinced you’re the next contestants on Survivor.”
She was joking, but seemed a little worried. I can’t blame her—it’s not every day your stepkids decide to sail across open waters in a 35-foot boat.
We talked about everything—the weather we faced in the Bay of Biscay, the food in San Sebastián, and the boat repairs Ryan had tackled. “Did you manage to fix that winch you were grumbling about?” Dad asked.
Ryan nodded.
“It’s smoother than ever now. You’d love it—it’s like clockwork.”
Ryan’s Take:
Dad filled us in on the goings-on in Dublin: the neighbour’s dog had adopted a habit of sitting on our old front porch, our cousin Maeve got engaged (about time, honestly!) and the pub quiz team took second place last week.
Da’ said they fooled the quizmaster again with their name. This time “Norfolk and Chance”.
It’s funny how life moves on even when you’re away. The little things—the weather back home, the same jokes, the familiar faces—remind you where you come from.
We also talked about Ma’. Da’ said how proud she would have been to see us sail into San Sebastián, and I could hear his voice falter slightly as he said it.
She never took him here. Us neither.
Liam’s Take:
The best part of the call was when Claire asked about what we’ve learned so far. Ryan launched into a detailed explanation of weather patterns and sail trim, but I kept it simple: “I’ve learned that Ryan snores louder than the wind on a rough night.”
“Do not,” Ryan argued back.
A bit of banter—it felt like home was right here in the cabin with us.
Ryan’s Take:
Before we ended the call, Dad gave us one last bit of advice: “Keep your heads down when the storms come, and keep looking out for each other.” It’s something he’s always said, and it felt even more relevant now, out here on the open sea.
Claire, ever the pragmatist, had her own parting words: “And don’t forget to eat your vegetables, Liam. I don’t care how small that galley is—you need greens or youse could get scurvy.”
I think she thinks we’re still in the 1800s.
Liam’s Take:
After the call, we sat in silence for a bit, sipping coffee and listening to the the boat as it rocked in the marina.
Next up, we’re eventually heading to Bilbao.
More open water, more challenges, and, more stories to share. But for now, it’s good to know home is just a Zoom call away.
Catch you in the next post,
Ryan & Liam
The Ocean Bois
