Happy Christmas from Campsea Ashe

 

Giving a talk to Westerly owners and friends

Instead of a newsletter, we thought we would continue our blog. You can read all our news from January to September in the posts already published. So what have we been doing?

The garage begins to look organised

Sal Darago was hauled out at the end of September and is on the hard at Melton Boatyard, near Woodbridge. She was still in the travel lift when a voice called out, “So, you made it then!” It was Mike, a fellow yachtie whom we’d met quite randomly in Antigua. He had recommended Melton Boatyard, known locally as Skeets. We were amazed, as we had no idea that he was returning to Suffolk.

Handy sheds in our garden

We stayed with Emily and Ben, who were very patient with us as we went through the process of becoming landlubbers once more. We bought a seven year old Ford Focus Estate, signed the contract on our new house and started to empty our savings accounts.

Jeremy painting our bedroom walls

We were very honoured to be presented with the Rayner Plate by the Westerly Owners’ Association in September. A presentation evening was arranged for us at Woodbridge Cruising Club and we were presented with the award by the club’s President, Andy Truscott. He and his wife had travelled all the way from Dorset for the occasion. In return, we gave a short, illustrated talk of our world sailing adventure.

Kathy helping to cut the grass at Em and Ben's

On the day that we completed and became house owners on, October 3^rd, Simon and Erin arrived for the weekend. We had an empty house as all our possessions were still in our shipping container, so we all stayed at Em and Ben’s and had a great weekend together, with Ellie being the centre of attention, of course.

Sal Darago in her new home

For the next two weeks, Jeremy and I decorated, starting with the kitchen. Appliances were ordered, boxes of crockery and cutlery were found and the house began to function as a home. I went to Lancashire for five days to meet my sister, Pat, and my Mum. I stayed with my friend, Pat, for three nights and was able to catch up with Lynda, a colleague from work, and ex-neighbours, Sue, Ruth and Frank. I really enjoyed meeting up with you all. Mum, Pat and I stayed in a hotel for two nights and took Mum out to have lunch with 3 of her friends from Blackburn. Mum and I went to see my Auntie Elsie, who is in a nursing home in Blackburn.

The kitchen is nearly ready

Back in Suffolk, Jeremy had finished the decorating our bedroom, the study and the lounge/dining room. He had prepared a candlelit supper for my arrival home.

Ellie helping to empty our container

That was our first night together in our new home. Now, six weeks later, all our boxes have been unpacked; our container is empty except for our dinghy; Sal Darago is almost empty and the house, sheds and garage are full to bursting. Jeremy is slowly recovering from flu followed by a chest infection and not enjoying the first December in the UK for seven years. I am OK, awaiting allergy testing next month to try to find out the cause of a cough I’ve had for 20 years.

Candlelit supper in our new home

Although we miss our friends and neighbours in Lancashire, we are beginning to settle in here in Suffolk. Em, Ben and Ellie are less than 10 minutes’ drive away and we enjoy seeing them all regularly, sometimes helping out with babysitting.

Did we order too much wood?

We’re looking forward to Christmas as Simon and Erin will be joining us and we’ll all be together as a family for the first time since 2007.

Home sweet home

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.