I am looking at a rainbow out the front windows of Jet-Lagged as a small rain cloud blows over the Port Louis marina in Grenada. The few minutes of rain cool the air and then the sun comes out again to restore the steamy warmth.

Jet-Lagged has been anti-fouled, serviced, polished and provisioned, and the wind and waves are calling her out to sea again. The beautiful warm waters of the Caribbean are waiting and tomorrow we set sail.

A full 6 months away from the boat has given us time to reconnect with family and friends in Australia and the USA. The pleasure and anticipation of being back onboard is tinged with the realty that this boating life comes at the cost of missing those we care about.

We have been lucky in our time ashore. Our great mates down under are wonderful to spend time with. Friday night Momma’s Game was reinstated. The band made up of our Mindarie friends played in the backyard at our farewell party and sounded better than ever. A quick trip to Bali for a good friend’s birthday was a real bonus. Regular Wednesday golf resumed with the highest possible stakes; the right to tease your mates! Great to see Mum, the brothers and nieces. A winery trip down south. ‘Ladies Lunch’ hosted by Shannon. Reunion dinner for the brave Atlantic crossing crew. That is a little more poignant now as we reflect on the fact that in this year’s ARC crossing a crew member was lost overboard and not recovered. And the latest Sydney-Hobart had two deaths. Just in case we thought crossing the Atlantic was not a big deal!

Our time the USA was just as packed. Shannon joined her sister and Cathy and Karen for the Sistas’ get together at the beach. We took a road trip from Texas to New Hampshire to visit Robert, Rachel and Jovie. On that trip we ran into Rockhopper anchored off Virginia and had a great catch up. Tasty Thanksgiving hosted by Crystal, Joe and Gray (who we also saw in her starring role in the Christmas pageant!). Brandon’s wonderful wedding as Mallory and Carson joined our family. Catching up with Schlumberger mates. Two Christmas celebrations, one hosted by Shannon for our kids and the second by Shelly a lovely chance to see the Graggs and Clarks. And catching up with Mom (as opposed to Mum -see what I did there?). Our niece Alice flew in from Germany to join us for our last week, for her first taste of America.

And then we were off! 5:45am flight out of Houston on New Year’s Day, a 46 minute connection in Miami (are you shitting me?!) and next thing we are back in Grenada ready to start again! Still recovering from the sprint through Miami airport…..

Time marches on and we have seen some of those we care about most dealing with the realities of aging and illness. It makes leaving even harder. We have been so impressed with the courage and humour with which those people are facing their challenges. It makes whatever bravery we summoned to cross the Atlantic pale into insignificance. People are amazing. You are all in our thoughts.

Now, wish us luck as we set out again! Borrowing shamelessly from JFK, we choose to go sailing not because it is easy but because it challenges us. At times it can be fun, relaxing, frustrating, tiring, or terrifying. Pray for fair winds and following seas!