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I live on an island!
Sounds good doesn't it?
Well it's not a tropical island but I do live on an island and I don't mean the UK itself.
My island is home to about 7,500 people and is located marginally off the coast of Essex,
in England.
It is 9 miles (14 km) to the south-east of Colchester -- which incidentally, is Britain's
oldest recorded town and the Romans named it, Camulodunum.
Mersea Island is situated in the estuary region of the Blackwater and Colne rivers and has
an area of around 7 square miles (18 km2).
It is connected to the mainland by a road link known as the "Strood" which floods about
every 2 weeks during the high tides.
This can make Mersea cut-off for up to 3 hours during the spring tides.
Every year, in August, Mersea holds it's sailing regatta, known as "Mersea week", which runs
from Sunday to Saturday.
The specific week is of course governed by the tides.
The week ends with a grand fireworks display and a travelling fair visits the town and
sets up in the boat yard, where the yachts are stored in the winter.
On the Wednesday, the local dinghy sailors compete in a race to sale around the island
in the shortest possible time. Skippers can choose to navigate the island to port or starboard.
I.E. Sail around the island in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
The "Round the island race" is very popular with young and old and part of the skill is
judging when to start.
The race is timed and you can choose when to begin, with the gun (siren) sounding every
10 minutes.
You have to judge not only the strength of the tide, but the amount of water, as at low
tide there is no water in the northerly channels, including the Strood channel.
Here lies the biggest hurdle of all: The Strood!
The roadlink covers at high tide but certainly not enough to sail over (normally that is).
Besides the road, the fencing along the side of the road would stop you anyway.
So this means that the crews have to jump out at the strood and along with a multitude
of volunteers, carry their dinghies across the road!
Of course this makes a great spectacle and the Strood is a very popular viewing position
for the crowds that gather.
If you arrive at the strood when the road is not covered at all, you also have to wait
for the cars to be stopped.
Fortunately on this very special day of days, cars do not have right of way and generally
speaking the motorists are happy to wait. (Not that they have any choice in the matter!)
Well, today was the day of the 2013 race and it got me thinking about this massive obstacle
that has to be overcome in order to win.
Also the challenge of the race has many similarities with working from home and trying to make
a living online.
There is a massive range of talent amongst the crews, from novice to highly skilled.
As the sailors travel around the island, there are numerous rescue boats along the way to
assist if you get into trouble.
The Strood itself. You know this hurdle will come eventually, but you have to overcome
it!
There will always be people who do better than you, but that should only encourage you
to do better next time.
There will always be the occasional nay-sayer (motorist) who moans about what you are doing.
In general, people will be willing to help you along the way and see you succeed.
Ultimately, you are on your own and have to use your skills (and luck) to win.
During your journey with your Empower Network business, you will experience all of these.
Find a good crew (sponsor), ask for help but most important of all is, don't give up.