The closest we've been to leaving

     If all goes well with the weather we should be departing tomorrow. As Dad pointed out this morning this is the closest we've ever been to finally leaving. This morning everyone was chatty and busy getting to those last minute tasks before departure; Mom and Sarah have gone off with the laundry, I've been cleaning and organizing the boat and Dad went to West Marine for two yellow diesel jugs to add to the six already occupying the deck. Mom has stocked and re-stocked our cupboards until they practically overflow with food, so there's no fear of running out, and Dad has been glued to the computer trying to plan out a safe and comfortable route. Some final tasks on our to-do list include: wash the boat, put the dinghy on deck, set GPS coordinates, fill up water tanks, get a pump-out and re-fuel.

     There are nerves underneath the excitement of course- this is our longest passage yet after all- but we are definitely looking forward to getting under way after sitting tied to the same dock for so long. We will do our best to leave the nerves on land and settle back into the tasks and rhythms of life at sea (with the help of a few natural ginger-infused seasickness remedies!). Although we'll do brief updates during the passage it's unlikely that I'll be able to do a proper post, so this is Nicole signing off for now. Next time you hear from me the pictures should be a little sunnier and the words infused with the warmth and colour of the tropics!

All the best,

Nicole. xo.