Epilogue

28 May 2008
Touch Down Plus 60 hours

We've been home since 3am Monday morning 25 May. I think I can say we are slowly becoming normal again. I say for two or three hours in the sunshine today in a sort of trance, barely conscious of reality. But, as time went by it slowly passed and my brain started working again. I've been going through long periods like that since we woke up around 10am on Monday. I gather it will slowly get better until a sense of being fully human again becomes the norm.
We arrived home into deep winter. Rain and cold. Once again, I'd rather be sailing...
I found this very nice picture of the perfect blue water yacht for me. :-)

To view more photos of this great yacht click: Tough Boat

These are the specs:
SPECIFICATIONS: Design: Jean Knocker/ Bernard Moitessier, Builder: Meta Yard, France, Launched 1968, Length 12.07 m, Beam 3.75 m, Draft 1.70 m
Hull construction: Round bilge, steel plates below waterline 6mm, above waterline 5 mm, deck 3 mm. At the yard, the hull was zinc-treated, inside and outside, 2 watertight bulkheads, Well insulated, we have comfortably lived onboard while solidly frozen in.
RIGGING: This ketch with her high mizzen mast makes, together with the cutter staysails, a sail setting that is easy to handle by a small crew or single hander. Masts, booms and spinnaker poles are alloy, made by Proctor
Windvane selfsteering: Aries
GROUND TACKLE: Electrical windlass, 75 m, 13 mm calibrated chain, 50 kg Bruce anchor, 75 Lbs CQR, 80 Lbs Luke stormanchor,
ENGINE: Perkins Prima M50 (1990), Gear box: Hurth HSW 250 A (1999)
Fuel: 500 l in 3 tanks, Kerosene: 55 l, water: 600 l, in 3 tanks
ACCOMODATION: In focsle is one single berth, and lots of storage. Toilet: Lavac manual vacuum toilet with holding tank. Washbasin, Settees in saloon can be converted into comfortable sea- berths. Diesel heater: Dickinson Alaska, Galley with Optimus Kerosene cooker, deep double sink. Navigation centre: Radarscreen and GPS can be seen from the helmsmans position behind the wheel. In the engine room, there is ample storage for spare parts, paint, oil etc. Here is also an automatic fire extinguishing system. The aft cabin has a double berth. ELECTRONICS: Radar, GPS, Navtex receiver, Echosounder, VHF, SSB +Auto ant tuner,
Battery charger Victron Pallas 3 stage 25 A, Victron inverter, Propshaft alternator, Batt cond meter, Solarpanel, Shore Power system

If you happen to have a spare NZ$195,000 or near offer and an adventurous spirit let me know. Cheap really -considering...
Happy Days!

Stay in touch,
It's been fun.
We love you all.
John & Barbara.