Christmas Wishes to All

Calypso has now come to the end of an eighth year 'out there' and another holiday season is upon us.   As we await to embark on the final leg down to Australia, we send out our season’s greetings now as I doubt we’ll get anywhere suitable in time at the rate we’re going.  You know, plans written in the sand at low tide….etc, etc

2012, proved to fairly quiet compared to some previous years as, once we left New Zealand, we didn’t rush from one anchorage to the other in an attempt to see as much as possible.  Rather we relaxed and enjoyed a more sedentary time, most of it in Fiji.

Our highlight, of course, was our road trip around South Island in New Zealand, an absolutely wonderful experience which made the return trip all the more worthwhile.

This lifestyle is full of hellos and good-byes and we were thrilled to meet again with the good ship Cooee, spending a couple of months with them around Fiji this year.  But, as all good things must end, they sailed off and their cruising days could well be over as Cooee is now for sale back in NZ.  We first met them way back in Tobago and have religiously met up with them every year ever since.   

And, anyone who has been reading our blog for the last few years will know that we have also travelled far and wide, experiencing some great times and places, with Otto & Lil aboard Vagabond.  That, too, has sadly come to an end.  They have now settled permanently in Tauranga, so it was a very tearful and wrenching time when we had to bid them a final farewell on our way back from South Island.  It doesn’t seem possible that we won’t ever again be rounding some headland to find either Cooee or Vagabond anchored in a little tropical bay. 

2012 also brought some very sad news.  We lost four friends in one month alone and learned of several others undergoing treatment; our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

For those of you who enjoy reading our blog, please don't forget that we also love to hear from you so please DO write.

Our berry best wishes to all of you for the holiday season and on into 2013.  May it be a great year for everyone.