There's No Place Like Home

When last we posted a blog I was waiting to head back to Canada. I arrived in Toronto New Year's Eve and in Calgary New Year's Day. It was a long and tiring trip with a delay in St. Maarten and an overnight in the Toronto airport. My son Scott picked me up in Calgary and drove me to Lethbridge to stay with my Mom.

It took me a while to get out to the acreage. I had to get the key from our friend Karen who had been checking the house since the renters moved out. Then the weather didn't cooperate. As when you are sailing when you live in the country you also are dependent on the weather. The first couple of days it was cold, 25 below zero Celsius, and snowing. I finally got out to the acreage on January 6th. The lane and driveway were covered in snow almost to the depth where our car could not make it without getting stuck.

View from our back deck

I discovered that the leaks hadn't been fixed therefore no water. That meant I would not be able to move out there until the leaks are fixed. Once I can move out there I can start looking for where everything is stored. I can't believe that we didn't make a list of where everything is stored since it is in 3 different outbuildings and the basement. Until that time I will be staying at my Mom's and travelling back and forth to check on the house.

Yesterday when I was going to head out to the acreage again the wind was blowing, 25 kmph, and blowing snow across the highway so I knew the lane would be impassable. I decided to wait and have my brother drive me out later today with his truck.

It is difficult being here when Griff is still in BVI on Mystic Journey. Fortunately we are able to talk with each other every day via the Internet. I know he is finding it more difficult than I am. At least I have family and friends here for lots of support. I have even had a short visit with our granddaughter, Eva. Everyone says it's great to have me home except for the circumstances. We are all waiting impatiently for Griff to come home too!!!

Endings By Cheryl

December 28, 2009

For me this marvelous sailing adventure is fast drawing to a close. It's hard to believe that in four days I will be back in the land of ice and snow. I just hope the weather gods will be kind and there won't be too much of the white stuff and the cold temperatures when I first arrive.

The most common thing we are asked is what is our favourite island. Any of you that have asked this knows our answer is that they all offer something unique and it is hard to pick a favourite. However, I found more relevant one of the questions one of the cruising women asked me when she queried what the most important thing was that I would be taking away from this experience.

That too is a difficult question to answer. I guess the most important thing is the knowledge I have gained about myself and my abilities to deal with new situations. I have definitely learned new skills related to sailing, but more importantly I have learned how to live with another person, Griff, on a 24 hour basis. I think we have grown as individuals and definitely as a couple. While sailing we are able to anticipate what is needed and do it in concert with the other person.

Being away from family and friends has been difficult, but life does go on even if you are not there. I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends especially little Eva. It will be fun watching her grow and develop.

Getting back to the acreage and putting things back in order will be the next challenge. I look forward to that and to Griff joining me when Mystic Journey gets a new owner.

December 30, 2009

While travelling up the island chain Griff wrote about some of the 'lasts' we were experiencing. Well this past week has been filled with more lasts for me. My last sail and swimming in the Caribbean Sea. The last sail was from Norman Island, BVI to Fat Hog Bay, BVI. You may be wondering if this was my last sail how did we get from USVI to BVI - WE DIDN'T SAIL. When we moved on Boxing Day there was absolutely no wind so we motored the whole way from St. John to Norman Island with a brief stop in Soper's Hole to clear in.

The sail to Fat Hog Bay was great! We had all three sails up and no motor. We had decided to check out Trellis Bay as a place for Griff to anchor while waiting for Mystic Journey to sell since he could anchor there, go swimming from the boat and it is close to the airport. However, when we got there we decided it was much too crowded both with moored and anchored boats and it would only get worse this week since 'Full Moon' and New Years Eve are on the same day meaning there would be larger full moon festivities. Since we knew the water in Fat Hog Bay is not condusive to swimming we went onto a mooring ball at Marina Cay, had lunch and I went for my last swim. What an experience. The sea was relatively calm, but there was quite a current. Most of the time there is a current present around the boat. The current that day was unbelievable. I swam for about 10 minutes and never got past the ladder, in fact occasionally I was pushed backwards. Nothing like 'swimming on the spot'. It was a nice last swim though and then on to Fat Hog Bay. Here was my last anchoring which turned into a couple of times since we changed spots. Griff is now set up in what is hopefully going to be a good spot to spend some time and have the boat safe.

As for me, now it's just waiting for tomorrow to come and head home.