Well I guess it’s high time that I put pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard! And yes of course the Captain’s been egging me on – I hope this is not laying the ground rules for our trip!!!!
So glass of red wine in hand, let me begin!
It’s feels like it’s been a really long journey to get to this point and suddenly time is moving at breakneck speed. It’s been a very hectic few weeks, from deciding that it might indeed be possible to buy a boat remotely, to looking for a boat, making the offer on the boat, waiting for the surveys, coming to a final decision and organising insurance. We’re on the last legs of that now and it’s all looking good. Now we just need to finalise a name for her. I know we’ve had a couple of years to decide on this but of course, as per usual, it’s coming down to a last minute decision. Gosh could anything be more difficult?
“How easy will it be to say over the radio? How will it be pronounced? What does it mean? Should we use a name that shows that we’re Kiwis or should we use something that shows our roots are still in Africa. What about taking a bit of each grandchild’s name? The problem with that is there’s a new grandchild on the way and we are not privy to possible names or indeed the sex!” But I think we’re sorted now and to use Lance’s trick, all I’m going to say now is “Watch this space!”
In between all the boat stuff, which Lance has mainly be handling, I’ve been doing all the house stuff. It feels like we’ve been getting it ready for the market for months and yet I can still see more little things that we could do – but really will anyone notice?
Then there were the passport renewals, investigating visas, as well as looking at various flight options to the US. Of course work still has to continue as normal too – it all has to be fitted in before we go. Then there’ll be the final family round up down in the south island, including our youngest daughter having to go through a hip operation in September. So it’ll be full on right to departure day!
But so far, touch wood, everything is falling into place and I’m looking forward to our great adventure…….
I can’t quite believe I said that!!!! 
Thanks for all your help Mike – you’ve certainly made this boat buying exercise so much easier for us. It’s much appreciated.