An Emotional Departure

For those who were not with us on Thursday, 1 February 2024, we had our farewell party in the little town of Port Owen, a place that, despite only calling it home for 18 months, when the plan was 3 months, has left an incredible mark on our hearts. Living aboard Intle Breeze in the Port Owen Marina, Eric and I have been deeply moved by the kindness of this community, so much so that we found ourselves staying far longer than we ever expected.

Our farewell was not just about saying goodbye, it was a thank-you to the incredible people we have met and the friendships we have built. The friends we made, who have shared their sailing experiences, their homes, their food, their cars, their love and most of all, their friendship. They have taken us on adventures, offered us more help and support than we could ever have imagined, and made us feel like family.

Starting our sailing journey in a country we will always consider home, we never expected to get so wonderfully "stuck" in our very first port after Cape Town and what a gift that turned out to be. Our 18 months in Port Owen set us up for sailing with caution and being fearless at the same time. There have been countless people in the community that have been instrumental in our sailing courage, when we arrive in Port Owen we were truly completely green sailors with little to no experience, and very nervous as well. With the encouragement and support of this sailing community, we built our confidence and many of you were very instrumental in turning us into what I consider still green but really good sailors almost 10 000 nautical miles later.

The thoughful sailing gifts, the surprise speeches, planned without us having the slightest clue had us completely overwhelmed and emotional. An experience of memories and friendships that we will treasure forever.

We feel truly blessed to have spent this time here, and though we set sail for new horizons, Port Owen and its people will always have a special place in our hearts.

Departure day has finally arrived, and hotel jetty was a buzz with friends coming to give us a last hug and farewell wishes, the endless string of friends were on and off the jetty from around 7am, each farewell feeling like a life long friendship. As the day progressed we were both busy doing last minute bits and pieces on the boat, while saying final good byes, to some of the most amazing people on earth. Many emotional moments, and a paradox of chasing a dream while leaving behind a piece of our souls. Our hearts were really starting to feel very heavy. We try to keep our eye on the prize through the emotions, as there is so much in the world for us to go and explore and share with anyone that has a dream to travel or sail.

High tide had finally arrived, and it was time to cast off our lines from Port Owen Marina for the very last time, the weather was prefect and the water was calm, almost as if holdings its breath with us. We eased out of our bearth and headed towards the main channel, as we started turning to starboard towards the harbour exit, it was with great surprise, we saw a small fleet of boats on our port side laoded with friends, to give us what felt like a royal escourt out, horns blowing and cheering, we motored towards the harbour wall, only to discover the wall packed with more of our people, some in wild and crazy outfits, music pumping through the air, with waving and cheering ❤️

We could hear music coming from everywhere, by this point our emotions were running freely, both Eric and I had tears streaming as we sailed passed everyone. In a fleeting moment we actually said to each otther, should we turn around 🙈, we were truly ready to just stop and turn around round and go back.... it is very possible, had the rest of my family not been on board with us, I think we might actually have turned back ... they did give us the sense of reason to keep our eye on the prize of exploration and adventure.

With tears rolling down our faces we exited the harbour, while each boat following us did a sail around us wishing us well, seeing you all in the distance and hearing the music fade made our hearts very heavy, knowing that for now this is Au Revoir and possibly the last time Intle Breeze will exit this harbour, we on the other hand will certainly return 😍 and we will carry with us every laugh, every tear and memory will be etched into our journey.

Thank you Julie Lundt for making this wonderful video of our departure.