Farewell Britannia

January 10, 2011

Today we helped cast off the bow lines of Britannia, Amanda and Krister’s  Canadian Seacraft 36.  They have begun their two year trip around the Pacific.

On November 22 I wrote this, “Last night we had a great time laughing and comparing notes with Amanda and Krister from s/v Britannia. We’re making it a habit of meeting and befriending people that are about to sail to Mexico though. I’ll have to spend some time thinking about friendship among people on the move.” Little did I know then  how much fun we were getting into. We  snuck our friends though our forward companionway many many times after the kids were all snug in their berths for the night.  We’ve shared margaritas, bottles of wine, cups of coffee and lots of long talks, laughter, and smiles so big that our cheeks hurt.

We didn’t know how much our chance meeting that day in the laundry room would change our lives. Tucker, Krister, and I stayed up until 2am one night talking about life and adventure and going because the time was right even before the details were right. For about a week Tucker and I calculated and made lists and gathered information to see if we could outfit and prepare and leave in February and do the Pacific Puddle Jump with them in March or April. We decided we couldn’t pull it off but we ultimately cut a year off of our own grand plan and we’re leaving this fall, in October 2011.

They’ve agreed to be our Awesome Routers (obviously so we can find the most awesome things along the way). We’ll be reading their treasure maps with Ruby and Miles and digging and searching until we find what they’ve left for us. We’re excited for them and excited because we’ll be sailing the same route in the next season.

Ruby spoke for all of us when she wrote in chalk on the pillar near their boat “Dear Krister and Amanda, I will miss you on your trip.  All of us will miss you.   Love, Ruby, Victoria, Tucker, and Miles.”

Krister and Amanda, we’ll dingy over and knock on your hull somewhere in the South Pacific (or in Mexico, if we’re lucky). Until then fair winds and following seas.

3 comments

  1. Comment by Deirdré Straughan

    Deirdré Straughan January 10, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    “Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes: a farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again – after moments or lifetimes – is certain for those who are friends.”

    Richard Bach

    (Yeah, I kinda wince at quoting Bach at this stage in my life, but, 30 years on from my high school yearbook, these words still ring very true.)

    • Comment by Victoria Bradford

      Victoria Bradford January 11, 2011 at 5:37 pm

      Deirdre, I spent a couple days thinking of farewell lyrics and quotes and came across this one. These are people I’ll never forget and will cross oceans to see them again. I have to keep reminding myself of the Dr. Seuss quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

  2. Comment by Krister and Amanda

    Krister and Amanda January 13, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    love, love, love, love, LOVE YOU GUYS!

Comments are closed.

Go top