The past, the present and the very near future

As we say our final goodbyes — from office presentations to long dinners with special friends — you can’t help but replay the journey that brought you here: the people, the laughter, the lessons, the brave (and occasionally terrifying) choices.

And then it hits you. That bittersweet cocktail of nostalgia and excitement. The comfort of routine giving way to the thrill of what’s next. From Netflix boxset binges to wind maps and seeking out safe anchorages. What’s next is big. So much to learn, to discover about ourselves and the journey ahead.

Novera has had the last of the big jobs completed by the brilliant chandlers at the marina. Her navigation table is ready for its first plotted coordinates. Her antifoul is fresh, so she’ll slip through the water clean and confident. Her wiring is neatly routed and organised, ready to harness the sun and most critically power the hob for our morning coffee.

The lists have been written and yes some have been laminated. Most boxes are ticked. The plans have been reviewed one last time and, if we’re honest, “turn right out of Marseille” seems to be the main theme.

Somewhere along the way, the dream quietly, steadily became real and now it’s just days.

Days until we step from preparation into motion. From imagining sunsets to chasing them. From standing on the dock to taking that small step aboard.

One small step… One giant leap into the unknown — and hopefully the adventure of a lifetime.

A few final goodbyes. A few more sleeps. And then… we’re off. Scared, excited, hopeful.

I think I finally understand the word discombobulated.