It started last week when we met some new friends the Atkinson family from the kidboat Katsumi. Lyndy Atkinson has an awesome blog called Homeschool Ahoy, which was read by the producer of ABCs The Drum. The Atkinson's lifestyle tied in with plans the ABC had for a piece on housing affordability, so they approached the Atkinsons to see if they'd be interested in participating. As luck would have it, the day suggested was a day when the Atkinsons planned to be out on the water, enjoying our beautiful Whitsunday sunshine, and Lyndy asked if we'd be interested instead.My first reaction was "Hey, why not?". Matt's was a horrified, "No! why would I want to do that?". Tilly's was "Mmm? Don't mind" (returns nose to book). Sasha's: "Yee-haaaah!!!"
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| Shy retiring type |
So we got in touch with the producer (who was quite lovely) and put out names forward, and sent her the details of the blog for background. Lyndy had also put it out to the great "Liveaboard Sailing Families Australia" Facebook group so there were a few other families who put their hands up too. We heard nothing for a few days, then two days ago they got in touch and said they'd be coming to film us today, Wednesday. Much excitement - and trepidation!
We needn't have worried. The two journalists were super friendly, genuine and down to earth. They rocked up at the house with their camera, recording equipment and what seemed like a zillion tripods in various sizes. They ran through what they wanted to do - get lots of filling shots and footage of the house, kids playing, us packing, us leaving and us driving off - before we'd go to the marina and get more of the same on the boat.
We ran through all the stuff pretty quickly. They noticed our huge world map wall and, when we told them that we'd built our house around it, they wanted one us to talk about it to camera. And guess who jumped in first? Mr I-Don't-Want-To-Be-Filmed put his hand up - Pick me! Mike me up! And he was great!
Once we had all that covered, we hopped in the car and headed down to the marina. They wanted footage of the boat, us loading the boat, Matt tinkering, me tinkering, kids playing (Tilly reading!) and then I did a piece to camera explaining the accomodation down below. I did find it a bit nerve-wracking, and Matt gleefully pointed out that I said "um ..." a lot! The presenter/journo then did the sit-down interview with me and Matt around the saloon table; I felt very stiff to start with and Matt and were careful not to talk over each other. As the interview went on we both relaxed and by the end were talking almost normally!
We loved the whole day, but I'm sure a lot of that was really down to being in such capable hands. It was a great chance to articulate that if a mainstream lifestyle doesn't feel right, you can try something else. We do feel quite passionate about what we're doing; that the liveaboard lifestyle isn't just the preserve of the wealthy; that if your life feels very small, you can take small brave steps to open it up; that consumerism is a creeping horror; that life can be slowed; and that connecting with your tribe and being in nature are balm to the soul.
The segment is due to be aired on Friday 14th July 2017 in Australia at 5.30pm on ABC1 and 6.30pm on AC News 24. It may also be used for a radio piece on ABC Tropical North the following week, possibly an online article and we're hoping to catch up with them again further down the track. We had a great time, thanks guys!
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