Catamaran Sail Away

Chef Vanessa Bush

Nessie, as everyone calls her, started chartering in the Caribbean in the 1980's and then went on to circumnavigate the world on a 40 foot steel boat. She is a chef with years of experience in boat catering and in villas in Europe specializing in Italian/French and Caribbean cuisine. She has over 100 000 nautical miles under her belt, ran the galley at the well known Atlantic Boat Club in Cape Town. Also spent her time raising children, running the local pony club and eventing on her horse whenever she had the time while running her late husband’s fishing business. After that started chartering in various parts of the world with Sheldon experiencing different cultures and cooking experiences.

Both Sheldon and Vanessa have open water dive and advanced first aid certificates. They enjoy entertaining and meeting new people from all parts of the world, having chartered in the Caribbean the Med and Thailand and sailed the Pacific.

- Mike and Lesley Blamey, Sail Away's crew for November through March.

Warm and friendly, Captain Mike and Chef Lesley Blamey will spoil you with true South African hospitality. From the moment you step aboard, you will feel at home in the comfortable and beautifully appointed Sail Away. They grew up together, in the Sub Tropical coast of KwaZulu Natal, and the ocean and watersports have always been a big part of their life. They traveled extensively meeting new people and making friends around the world, and enjoying the cultures and cuisines of the world, and decided that once they sold their National Transport Company, and the children had graduated and left home they would pursue a more relaxed lifestyle sharing their love of the ocean, water sports, traveling, meeting new people, enjoying their cultures and cuisines and making new friends.

Mike is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster with over 50,000 sea miles under his belt. Together they have sailed and explored the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It gives him great pleasure to assist a total novice in getting up and sailing with a little guidance and encouragement. He is also a qualified Padi Dive Master, and will happily assist certified divers on planning their dives and accompany them as their guide. As an accomplished water-skier, and surfer he will soon have you up and riding on your water sports of choice. He is very competent in maintaining and running all aspects of his yacht. His warm and giving personality, love of life, sense of humor and honesty make him a great captain to sail with. His "generous" barman's skills and great tales will have guests laughing into the night. He's also a great DJ.

Lesley is a certified diver, and with 45000 sea miles logged is also proficient at the helm and in all crew aspects.

A great cook - who's skills in the galley will delight you. Her wonderful cuisine, reflects favored dishes from around world, varied and beautifully presented. A true Piscies, you'll find her in the water as as much as on it. She will happily take you on guided snorkeling safaris, pointing out all the varied corals and fish found in the beautiful Caribbean waters. She is a natural earth mother, who enjoys children, is fun, easy going, helpful and resourceful. She will happily play surrogate "granny" to the kids, keeping them entertained and happy while you enjoy a scuba dive or a visit to one of the fabulous beach bars or restaurants on the islands. From the moment you board Sail Away she will make you feel relaxed and at home, while making sure your every need is attended to. Mike and Lesley have been happily married for 40 years. Their friendship, respect and happiness together makes them a great team, and they look forward to giving you a holiday of a lifetime.

- Lisa Mead - Your chef on SAIL AWAY

Originally from Queensland, Australia, chef Lisa Mead has spent the past 25 years cooking between Australia, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. She has created epicurean delights for all walks of life including royalty, heads of state and celebrities on board luxury yachts, in 5 star villas and restaurants. In addition to her time spent living in South East Asia, where she gained valuable experience with the local cuisine, if asked Lisa would describe her cooking as global, pulling from different cultures, using only the freshest of ingredients.

Currently Lisa is being filmed in her own cooking show as chef and host of a series titled: Galley Gourmet With Chef Lisa.