Countdown to the next adventure

The 30th of September is always bitter sweet. This year it would have marked my Mum’s 100th birthday. We lost her several years ago but this day always brings back all the hugs, the goodnights, the advice, proud moments and the ones that needed to be and always were, forgiven. For over ten years now its also meant we will shortly say goodbye to the darkening skies and colder winds of the UK and casting our eyes to the far distant, sunny shores of the Caribbean.

Our decision to bring the boat back to Europe is the right one on so many levels but its also a major change in a lifestyle we have come to love. Of course we’re excited about the prospect of tidal navigation around our old haunts, revisiting places we love in the way we love doing it best. But we will also be saying goodbye to some great friends, amazing people who have made the last 10 years so special. Oscar and Nineth at Tijax, Brian, Sherrie and the dogs at Jonesville, the smiling “welcome home Mr Alan” that greets us at Grahams place and all the musicians we’ve jammed with along the way - the list goes on and on. Some of our friends we will already have seen for the last time for others it will be an emotional farewell.

The essence of the cruising life is that there is always a time to up anchor and move on but you always leave a little of your soul in the bays and bars.