In early May, during a nice dinner with music, the plan emerged to take our family to America for a year. Inspired by 'the Sound of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel that reminds me of my own experience of a year of High School in America as a 16-year-old. It fits in well with Toine's plans to go more international. The girls love getting a year of High School experience and don't mind missing a school year here. And I like change, don't mind having a year of sabbatical and spending it intensively with our family in America.
The following weeks consist of investigating whether the plan is feasible. What visa, consequences for work and school, what to do with the house, boat or not and where to live? There are many uncertainties. Is it really feasible and also immediately next school year? Gradually all those questions get an answer. Eventually we make the decision that we will go for it and also next school year.
Step by step, most of the puzzle pieces fall neatly into place. Toine's work offers various possibilities on a contract basis from his own company. We can rent my family's house in Florida (Teun's brilliant idea) and rent our own house to a friend. Mira's work gives permission for one year unpaid leave. Very super! With the girls' school we make good arrangements for a year's absence. The boat comes with us because that is a strong basis for a visitor's visa and it's so nice to have it with us.
We don't have time to sail the boat ourselves and have a professional crew from PYD do this. They take over the boat on Aug 6 and sail to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 20-30 days. We spend the month of August on our work and at the end of August we fly via Toronto (first at Teun) to Halifax and then sail in a few weeks along the east coast to Florida. The boat can be moored in the backyard of our house next to Jack's boat. The plan is to sail back next year from June onwards via the northern route. Back to Nova Scotia and maybe via Greenland to Iceland. From there via Scotland or Ireland back home. With the goal to be home again in mid-August 2018 and to pick up our lives here again.
We'll be living in Florida, Deerfield Beach for over nine months. The girls are going to high school. Which one isn't known yet, we're still figuring it out. With the goal of experiencing American culture, doing a lot of sports, meeting new people and making friends.
A fantastic adventure we're about to embark on. Undoubtedly also occasionally with some setbacks. But overall a very nice experience and with a lot of confidence that we will succeed together as a family.