The sea is smooth when we round the white cliffs of Dover. There is no wind, and the persistent loud humming of the engine deafens all other sounds. As rough and exiting as the first leg of our journey was, more than a year ago, as calm and uneventful is this last stretch. Sophia is exited, counting down to when she can finally see her grandparents again. Jeroen and I are also looking forward to seeing friends and family again, starting a new chapter of our life. But still so sad. These are the last miles, the last hours of our adventure. And it has been so great.
We have been practicing our return to civilization. The last three nights on dry land we spent in a house on the Isle of Wight, courtesy of Liz and Chris who we met on the BVIs. So we now know what it is like to sleep in normal beds, eat sitting at a dining table, having a room full of toys with a door that closes, and having a TV with enough channels to suit any possible desire. Sophia called it paradise. So much for white beaches and turquoise water, and what her parents believe to be life changing experiences; Disney channel will always win! Liz and her son Joe, freshly jetlagged from a New York flight, joined us for one day/night of playing and catching up. Once again, thanks for the champagne and the great company!
People and great company is what we will remember the most of this last year. Like the beautiful shoeless little girl on the banks of the Gambia River, who so desperately wanted to show us her village. Or the retired French spy who served us Caipirinhas on his boat in Tobago. The socialist rastaman in Charlotteville, with his quite different views of Chavez role in South America. Dion and Michael who showed us the goldmines in Suriname, and Robert and Rita who made Sophia’s birthday so special.
And our cruising friends, with whom we have shared so many laughs, a few tears and far too many drinks. All are still out there on the blue waters, on your way home, or still living the sweet life of ocean explorers. Dear friends, keep enjoying. Because before you know it you have land in sight.
120 miles to Ijmuiden.
Mjner out.
Really emotional reading this one, Luise.
Today is Sunday evening and you must be in the Netherlands by now. Sorry it is not a party there, because of the Spanish… It is good I am in Spain now to have my own celebration of the WC.
Enjoy meeting friends and family and who knows if Mjolner will make a new adventure in the future again.
Love,
Blanca