We’ve driven almost 4,000 km since we got to Europe two months ago. We’ve also looked at more than 20 boats. Our short list is coming together and our mindset is slowly changing. It is a big change from doing, doing, and more doing 24/7 – functioning in a capitalist society that doesn’t accept that eternal growth is impossible – to trying to simply be. Breathe deeper, move slower, take the time to connect with people and places.

The past few days we spent in Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia in the South of Spain. A friend and her family have welcomed us in their home like royals. It is an absolute luxury having the most amazing Spanish meals cooked for you, clothes washed, a normal bed to sleep in and spending the days strolling through this beautiful city.

Its Old Town, the third largest in Europe, contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Muslim rule from 712 has left many architectural, linguistic and other cultural memories which combine harmoniously with the Roman and Christian influences. In 1248 Seville was re-incorporated into the Kingdom of Castille under Ferdinand III. After the discovery of the Americas, it became one of the economic centres of the Spanish Empire. It’s port, located about 80 km from the Atlantic Ocean, is the only river port in Spain. In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan departed from Seville for the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

So here we stand, almost 500 years later, reconnecting with our Andalusian routes (Noah and Gael’s great-great-grandfather was born in Almeria.) and preparing for our very own circumnavigation – ‘si Dios quiere’ as they would say in typical Andalusian style. With recharged batteries we’ll continue our journey tomorrow to Portugal. We’ve got another few boats to look at before we might settle for one.