Wait, what?

It's already April! April 10th, no less! Where have the months gone? Where has this Season gone?

What a great season we've had so far! We're looking forward to going home to family and friends and summer that is Nova Scotia, but first... we gotta store the boat somewhere safe for H-Season. Commission the RV that's stored in Florida. And drive back.

But first... Oh Yeah. I know... you're a little curious about this PrePositioning word I slid into the title, right?

We though we're technically still in Season 7, this has everything to do with Season 8! We've got our binoculars on and our bow pointed... at new horizons.



For the last year, we've been asking ourselves "So. What's next?" Banyan's three year refit has been going well. But we still didn't have an answer for ourselves. I mean, the Bahamas is close and easy. It's an excellent winter get-a-way. Banyan could always use more work, but then, she's a boat, and we all know what that's like, right?

Our friends have been asking us: "So, what's next?" And we didn't have an answer for them either.

When we set sail for the Bahamas last December, we did so without an End Plan in mind. Well, no, that's not true. We had a few compass points in mind, we were just tacking back and forth, leaving our options open.

We thought we'd let our toes do the walking and the wind do the sailing. And as a result we spent a glorious few months enjoying everything that came our way.



But time has been ticking by, and ever present in the sailbag as we lowered the Main, was... which way is that compass needle going to settle on?

We chatted with people while we were Park Hosts in Cambridge Cay. We chatted with people we met along the way. We thouhgnfar and wide, North and South, East and West. We dreamed our dreams. We queried our friends. Sometimes we got answers to our questions. And sometimes we didn't. And still we weren't sure.

And through it all, we continued to hemm and haw. We hemmed as we would drop anchor at one of the picture perfect secluded cays full of sun, sand and surf. And we hawed as we dealt with boat issues and gremlins and jobs that should take 5 minutes but that was now going on Hour 5, or worse? Day 5!

We hemmed every time we sought shelter as the West Winds blew squall after squall at us.



And we hawed as we enjoyed sundowners in our cockpit gazing longingly at the sun setting on the Western horizon.



How's that for throwing some hints in there?

So, back to the here and now. It's April 10th, and some of you might've been curious as to what we're doing back here. Here as in Georgetown. In mid-April. I mean, this place with its usual count of three- hundred (ish) boats, is feeling and looking rather empty. Even the radio dialled to VHF 68 is unusually quiet, the morning announcements usually 45 minutes full of activities is now instead rather fully focused on cruisers saying their {{ sniff, sniff }} goodbyes, with everyone clicking their response. How sweet!

{{ I wonder what we'll say when it's our turn to leave? }}

We've got a few things to get done while we wait out yet another Weather Blow. Which is why we moved across the Bay, from Monument



to a more protected spot called Goat Cay South. Which, when you have a 6'4" draft like is, should only be attempted at high tide.



Perfect spot to be if you're having to top up your propane, SunOil conveniently located just a short walk up the hill from Latitudes Restaurant, and a scant 5 minute wait while it's done. Best of all, it's all downhill going back.



This morning in the calm before the squalls, we dinghied into Victoria Harbour for some provisions, getting back safe and sound {{ and dry }}, just before the skies let loose their wrath.

Banyan's cupboards are once again, full of goodies, in anticipation of the coming days, weeks and possible passages.



And thanks to recent muling efforts from our dear friends, we now also have new cruising guides and new courtesy flags. You can certainly guess the destinations...



I guess the hemming and hawing is over. Hang on to your hats, my friends! Banyan's sailing to new waters. Season 8 is going to be all new, and all sorts of amazing.

But first, we've got to Pre-Position the boat. Spend the next month sailing from here to there. Get acclimated. Store the boat. Fly to Florida. Commission the RV. And drive home to NS.

Life is not about the destination. It's all about the Journey. Eh?