[flicker]

Stede,

My wife and I have finally set the date for July, 2005. We expect to be able to sell our house, buy a (probably small) cruiser and take off. We, however, expect that we will be able to come back to the US every year or so to work. It shouldn''t be too difficult for the two of us to earn 15 or 20k for another year or two on the water. And then we would be off again.

Right now having a firm date is the most important thing to us. I just had another birthday and have been having dreadful thoughts that I will be too old or too sick to cast off when the "right" time comes.

But about health care, I must say that many of the doctors in a few of the so-called third world countries have very good training. For example, I know people who vacation in Costa Rica and have all their dental care done there while on vacation(!) because it''s better quality and so much cheaper.

But, frankly, I have to say that I agree a bit with Big Red, if I get his meaning. I read an article recently that suggested that cruisers should carry automatic cardiac defibrillators with them just in case. But my feeling is that if I am so concerned with my safety that I feel the need for a defibrillator I shouldn''t be sailing (I should live next to a hospital, just in case). And if I were so ill that I really did need a defibrillator, I think I''d rather not take one.

In truth I actually don''t know what Blue Cross would or could do for us out by the Marshalls or off the coast of Argentina or halfway to the Azores. Would it really help?

Chas