In the morning we need to fold away our bicycles (thanks Bill, they have been the best thing!), load up the dinghy and we're on our way to Ensenada! I promise we're leaving!
I loved Dana Point - the parks and Doheny Beach are wonderful and I walked miles. Nev spent most of the time working on the dinghy and she looks pretty good with her new radio and antenna - ready for many hours of fishing!
Our trip down to San Diego was good - a little bumpy with 6 - 7 feet swells - Nev took my watch - between my snotty nose and not taking anything for motion sickness, I spent a lot of time in bed!
San Diego has been a final catch up spot for us - sailmail is up and running, we have a new antenna, I went to church at The Rock and loved it - did some final shopping and now we have Stephen and Candace with us for pizza and wine before we head off. Ste took Candace out on the dinghy and came home with a crab trap for us! Karma! We will throw it back before we leave!

Saying goodbye

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Had a fabulous send off in Long Beach at the Springbok Bar - lots of family and friends all wishing us well and visiting Blue, some for the first time. It was also Nev's birthday so it was quite a party - he's going to miss his buddies! Heather, my sister, and Kelly, her room mate, came along with us for the first stretch down to Newport Beach - the day was gorgeous and we had great fun together. "Noroom at the Inn" so we anchored in the harbour which turned out great - quiet! On Monday we took our bicycles in the dinghy (must have looked quite a sight) and rode 10 miles all over Newport Beach doing errands and soaking up the beauty of the sunshine and pretty city - the beaches are endless and the sand is golden. Saw "The Wedge" famous for boogie boarders, and chatted to some hardened fisherman who go out early every morning, fish, and then come back and sell their fresh catch to the public - that day they'd brought in 800lbs of assorted fish! Drinks with Lisa and Steve in the evening was great and they gave us hundreds of tips on cruising in Mexico.
Yesterday we took the dinghy to Balboa Island and walked around the whole island - magnificent homes and gardens and boats. I experienced pulling up anchor for the first time and it was really muddy so learned how to wash it down as I pulled it up - my learning curve is steep!! Our 2 hour trip down to Dana Point was perfect - sunny day with a little breeze and slightly bigger swells. Had an interesting docking experience as the wind was blowing and Nev reversed in to the slip; we still had the dinghy tied up behind us! I learned a lot and we eventually tied up safely! Dinner on Blue last night with Paul and Christine (from Nordhavn) - our first guests!
Have been snotty nosed and not feeling 100% but better today. Have lots of little errands to do - it's amazing how the days fly by so quickly!

Saying goodbye

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It's been a tough job getting her ready but we did it! Blue is packed to the hilt an listing just a little to port! Pat and Sandy threw a great farewell party for family and friends last night and we left Oxnard as planned around 8 this morning and what a beautiful day to leave with flat seas, and tons of dolphins and working birds all the way to Marina del Rey. Bonnie and Craig took a few great pictures of us leaving. In the morning we're off to Long Beach. But for now we are loving our cozy new home on the water right in the middle of the seagulls and seals! Lots of new noises to get used to!

Saying goodbye

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Never imagined this day would arrive! We have talked and planned and prayed and laughed and cried - and now it's here .. and happening! Courtesy of my wonderful employers, Brian and Mary Komoto, my amazing team of girls, and my boss and friend of many years, Bill, "Wine Me Up" graciously hosted a farewell for Nev and I in Bakersfield last night and we had a fabulous night! My mum, sister, Nev and I did all the catering: baootie, samoosas, boerewors, melktert, sausage rolls, scones with strawbery jam and cream, crunchies, and my first attempt at biltong! We also served a cheese, crackers, fruit and vegie smorgasboard, chips and dips. Along with that came the GREAT company of everyone who was there! Lots of laughs (and some tears!) - thanks to all of you for being there - you made the night and the close of this chapter PERFECT! And a plug for Wine Me Up - Don and his team were fantastic! they even cleaned up everyting for us while we had one last glass of wine - what a spoil! Thanks so much again to everyone xx love you all xx

Saying goodbye

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Nev has been away for 4 days playing golf in South Carolina. The "gals" (Heather, Mum and I) moved on board in an effoort to rid Blue of her boat breath! Every porthole was opened - in fact, any vent that could be opened was opened and the Clorox mission began. We mopped and swept and sprayed and emptied every nook and cranny - there was a strong smell of Clorox for a while - then suddenly Blue smelled wonderful - her boat breath was gone - mission accomplished! We also added a couple of splashes of red to every cabin - she looks warm and inviting and is feeling more and more like home. Heather made us a great wooden "lucky fish" sign for above the computer - at this point Nev's warthog is still residing over the TV - sure would love a plant there but maybe that's the trade off for all the red??!! Had a very happy weekend - we're ready to start moving in! Did I mention that we got engaged last week? Don't think I did! Nev surprised me completely and romantically and my ring is gorgeous - picked out by him - and perfect! Couldn't be happier! Heather will post pictures for me later.

The Beginning

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I have leased the house to a great couple Pat & Sandy so now its time to back up and store all the junk you collected over the years and decide what goes on Blue.
Its count down time with 5 weeks to go .

The Beginning

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