CHRISTMAS 2007

It was the year of the wet, with waterborne disasters in Washington that caused a “state of emergency”, but back to the beginning: Derek was still working for West Marine, to maintain his “discount habit” to give Nokomis the TLC that she deserves and get ready for our journey to Alaska. But when he returned they had closed the store! Now he helps restore his friends Pelican. We raced our boat through Jan and March and gradually climbed the rankings. Derek was very surprised when I became very competitive in these little boats!

April saw us in Arizona staying with our young Bulgarian friends and from there made a pilgrimage to the spectacular National Parks in the region including; The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Antelope Canyon all in snow and with very few tourista. Of course many pictures were taken and with the advent of digital media far more than usual and of less thoughtful quality.

Then it was almost time to set sail and much of the early spring was spent preparing the Nokomis. The route options for cruising in Alaska defy the imagination and so a huge amount of time was spent making preparatory plans, which mostly disintegrated under the harsh light of reality. In summary it was the wettest season on record (even the Alaskans said so) we were away for three months with sixty days in Alaska. Of the 60 only four or five were completely without rain! We decided that “Misty Fjords” was a euphemism for rain all the time. Imagine us if you can with a wet long haired Jessie on a 37 ft sailboat an no cover in the cockpit with up to four adults. We didn’t maroon Jessie and we still have friends. Even so it was a spectacular journey.

Our faithful engine Mr. Perkins decided that we needed more of a challenge and for more than a month displayed all the signs and symptoms of a geriatric on a deathbed. Unpredictable stoppages frustrated at least four mechanics and tested our nerves. Consequently we became expert at sailing into narrow passage and coves with adverse current and little wind. At one stage with Pat on the bow anchor at the ready I bellowed “let go” followed immediately by Oh s……t haul it up! Anyway you get the idea. For the first two weeks we sailed on our own and then two Whidbey friends joined us at the northern tip of Vancouver Island and sailed with us to Prince Rupert, then we sailed on our own again to Ketchikan to pick up to buddies from UK. Our friend Sue had requested, whales, bears and icebergs. We delivered in full. Our northernmost point was Tracey Arm to see the tidal glaciers “calving” Unfortunately, due to ice ground up by the big cruise liners, we were unable to get to the actual foot of any of the glaciers.

On the way back we picked up our 12-year-old grandson Jared and his 14-year-old friend Montana. Those last three weeks were some of the most memorable; we fished and sailed and rowed and swam and crabbed and reveled in the energy and curiosity that 12 and 14 year olds have. Every day we were exhausted. They were the best crew of all, with little need for Derek to be Captain Bligh. However, on one occasion when something didn’t happen the way he wanted it. He said “ What is it with you boys!?” Quick as a flash “ Oopah, it’s a design fault in fourteen year olds”. We anchored at home on Sept 2nd after completing 2300 nm miles averaging a fast walking pace of 4 miles an hour.

Home again just in time to put the garden to bed, but those achey breaky gremlins were up to no good I broke my ankle. Crutches and no driving for six weeks and there I sat. Hurummph! Especially as the big event of our year was about to happen when Tacey, Peter and her little girls moved to Coupeville twenty minutes away from us. Our lives changed forever. It is such a joy and to play an active part in the lives of Caroline and Allison. Many of you know that Derek cut Allison’s umbilical and when she was asked about she said “ Oh yes, I remember when Oopah cut my extension cord”

Now for the “organ recital” I have had miracle eye surgery on both eyes since our return and now have 20/15 vision with the help of bionic lenses. The downside is that I can see dust at 50 paces! Derek’s has been jointly painful. Although his polymyalgia rheumatica moved on it left significant arthritis. (he remembers the Matron at Eskdale telling him not to sit on cold wet rocks) In Alaska he had a pinched nerve in his spine causing extreme pain and prevented him from lying down (therefore not able to sleep) You can imagine how grouchy that made him.

I have just passed the 70 benchmark (it’s only a number, I am far too young to be seventy) Kerry, Tacey and Derek threw a fabulous party in the local village hall. Tacey made an incredible cake, we danced and laughed surrounded with 70 guests and seventy balloons, Derek organized the game “two truths and a lie” and with fifty years of experience he was a able to reveal some of my history that I hoped would remain dead and buried for ever.

As we write this, Christmas cards are arriving and it s with great joy at this time that we re-connect and reflect on friendships going back 50 years. We send our love and hope to you all.