Friday 18 March 2016

The last post

I'll make this quick.

It will hurt less that way.

This is the last post of Past the Lighthouse.

We've lifted Enki out of the water, and she's snug in her cradle at Half Moon Bay, a boatyard in the outer eastern suburbs of Auckland. We like the feel of the place. Coincidentally, we almost started our journey from here.

Up she comes - a beautiful boat top to bottom


In early 2011 we dropped by Half Moon Bay to look at an HR46 for sale. Grace was a well-equipped and meticulously maintained boat and we were sorely tempted. But at that time, piracy in the Indian Ocean was scarily out of control, and the Aussie dollar was surging, so the case for buying a boat in Europe was very strong. We passed on Grace (she eventually found an Australian buyer). But here we are again, and Enki has been laid up in the exact same spot in the yard as Grace was.

We cruised across the finish line in good spirits. We'd managed a return visit to Great Barrier, and what's more, we'd had fresh wind behind the beam on both the outward and homeward legs. Tinny, as my mum says. We savoured the sailing, truly.

Cruising Great Barrier - with Little Barrier on the horizon


I'll miss my kayak. I'd just like to say that. It's been my escape vehicle. When we drop anchor,  the kayak goes in the water pretty smartly.  I will often be away from the boat for a couple of hours at a stretch, giving Alex time out from me and me time with myself and the world around me.  Sometimes that means other people - I'm a great chatterbox in my kayak - but more often I'll just drift around the shoreline, watching birds and marine animals and what's under the water (coral, rocks, kelp), and going up creeks and into caves and under low-hanging trees and generally indulging my curiosity. It's been the best antidote to my apparently restless nature.

Alex, for his part, is always happy just to be on the boat. That's been enough for him, he's continually told me. So leaving the boat is hard for him. He's done a lot of grieving, in his way. But he'll be fine.


So, this is it, folks. We've had a few spectacularly rich years living aboard Enki II, and if you've kept regular tabs on our journey via our posts, then we're flattered.  The world is drowning in personal expression these days and blogs in general are tedious pieces of work (you know about our own personal preference for Twice in a Lifetime - a standout blog). So thank you. It's been a pleasure.

The sun goes down over Auckland on our last night at anchor



PS You'll have maybe noticed that there's an HR for Sale blog piggy-backing on the Past the Lighthouse site. Since we have no idea how long it will take for Enki's new owners to find her,  we'll leave Past the Lighthouse up as part of the sale process.  In the mean time, we trust she's in safe hands at Half Moon Bay, and we'll continue to take regular and good care of her ourselves.


14 comments:

  1. Hi Diana and Alex,

    I will miss reading your blog. Stellar writing and photography. And, oh, the places you’ve been and the adventure!

    Thanks for giving me an extraordinary glimpse into your sailing life these past few years.

    Best regards,

    Joan Litzow

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  2. Awesome blog, awesome journey, enjoyed every single post!

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  3. Although I gave a farewell a few months back when I thought your journey was at its end, I am compelled to congratulate you on your safe and entertaining voyage yet again. Thank you for letting us tag along. May your future bring just as many cherishable moments, Cheers!

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  4. What to say. What an amazing trip. So glad we appeared in just a little bit of it. You'll be sad for a while but you're like us. You'll look back then you'll find a new dream. Hope we meet up again. Much love from The Matildas!

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  5. It's always a thrill when you come out from the woodwork! Thanks for your company, one and all. It's been a privilege to live as we have done on Enki II.

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  6. Thank you Diana for your enjoyable blog, I looked forward to each entry. I even read the technical ones about the engine. Lovely writing and photos, thanks for making the effort.

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  7. I think about you both often and followed you post your departure from Bora Bora. Smiling at the lovely sail across from Ta'aha.
    You are also both paving the way for a transition that Dena and I are about to enter. Libby is currently in Hawaii and we are planning a passage to British Colombia some time in June. From there we will plug back into North America for a few more years. Hopefully we will head out again to cruise for a bit.
    Alex, I still have to try the Concentrated Benzalkonium Chloride!
    Our love to you both...Terry & Dena www.svlibby.com

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  8. So good to hear from you, Terry. We heard snippets from Escape Velocity, but were too preoccupied with our onward passage to do the decent thing and make contact while you were sick in Tahiti. Forgive us. Trust you are now well, and fair winds for your passage to BC. D & A

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  9. Thanks for the great ride Diana..I think vicarious blue water cruising is the way I like it
    Roger H

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  10. Hi Diana

    I've been a long time follower of your blog, enjoying the combination of culture and sailing. Beautiful writing, and you have a great eye for a good photo. I've been missing it since it slowed down on your return to NZ and I'm sorry it's come to an end. Good luck with whatever you do next.

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  11. Hey Guys - As I and others have noted before, your combination of writing and photography skills made this space tremendously enjoyable. Goodonya. We're looking forward to that visit in Alaska.

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  12. Thanks for sharing your artificial idea. This blog is really very useful. Commercial Places For Rent in Australia

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  14. Hello, Diana and Alex.
    This is Gene Belau, a single handler from Lariella, NY.
    We met at Kxalkida crossing in summer of 2013.

    I'm sorry to find that you selling your beautiful and beloved
    Enki.
    How are you, where are you??
    My email is still the same: captgene555@gmail.com

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