Final Preparations

And so, the moment arrived. The culmination of weeks packing, sorting, and the bittersweet process of letting go of land-based life. Today, the last vestiges of our earthly possessions made their way into Halcyon Sea, each item carefully stowed and securely fastened.

It was a Tetris-like challenge of epic proportions. The electric bikes, our trusty steeds for exploring coastal paths, were wrestled onboard. The paddle board, promising sun-drenched adventures in hidden coves, found its designated spot. And then there was the miscellaneous collection - the “who knows how many other things” that inevitably accumulate when transitioning from house to hull. Each box, bag, and carefully chosen item represented a piece of our past, now joining us on our journey into the future.

Yet, against all odds, through some nautical miracle of spatial awareness ( and perhaps a little bit of forceful persuasion), everything found its place. The boat, once seemingly overflowing with the necessities of our new life, now felt organised, compact, and ready.

Our final errands in Gosport took an unexpected turn amidst the bustle of last-minute shopping and prescription pickups. We came across a woman that had fallen, and her understandably distressed son was on the phone, his voice laced with concern as he tried to guide emergency services to their location. the challenge? They were unsure of exactly where they were.

Without hesitation, our focus shifted and our instinct to help took over. We stayed by the lady’s side, offering what comfort we could, ensuring she remained as comfortable as possible and, crucially, conscious while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. In those moments, the simple act of being present, offering a reassuring word, felt more important than our own to do lists.

We were all relieved when the ambulance arrived into the car park. The paramedics completed their initial checks and a wave of relief washed over us all as the lady, thankfully, was able to stand with their assistance and walk to the ambulance for further assessment.

Having played our small part, a quiet sense of exhaustion settled upon us, a different kind of tired than the physical exertion of loading the boat. We decided to treat ourselves to a well-deserved and delicious dinner at The Creek, the comfortable ambiance and good food a welcome balm after the afternoon’s events.

Returning to Halcyon Sea as dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, we felt a profound sense of readiness. Not just for the journey ahead, but for the quiet sanctuary of our floating home. Tomorrow would dawn early - a 5 am departure dictated by the unforgiving rhythm of the tides. The day’s unexpected detour had left us weary, but also with a quiet sense of purpose. A good night’s rest was not just desired; it was essential. As the gentle rocking of the boat lulled us towards sleep, we drifted off, ready to greet the dawn and the next chapter of our adventure.Leggi altro