End of the Season

Well, we all know that time goes by very quickly.  Suddenly we find ourselves at the end of the  2012 sailing season.

We have been in Grenada for 10 days, anchored in Prickly Bay.  This time was mostly devoted to boat chores, all the big and small tasks that need to be completed before we can leave the boat.  Mostly putting away and cleaning.  Yesterday Callisto was lifted out of the water by a big crane, and transported to the spot where she will remain until next winter.  It is amazing the very large and very specialized machines that are used to transport vessels weighing many tons.

We have a few more days of chores, things that are best done when the boat is out of the water.  Again, mostly putting away and cleaning.  The we fly to London for a night, where we will visit our nephew who is at the Parliament.  He has offered to give an insider's tour of the Parliament building, which we are very excited about.  Then another flight to Zürich and a train home.

We made a total of 42 passages this year, ranging from 1-11 hours.  This was a total of 1,109 nautical miles and we averaged 5.6 knots.  We did quite a bit more sailing this year than last, and found that we really enjoyed the time on the water.  We also did more hiking this year, and really enjoyed the walks, but also enjoyed meeting and interacting with the guides.  Among the highlights of the season, though, were meeting up with friends and family on Antigua and St. Martin, and interacting with cruising friends in the islands.

All in all, a great season!  But we have lots waiting for us in Switzerland.  Gretchen has already signed up for a golf tournament, and David will perform in a one-act play as part of a theater festival in Antwerp, Belgium, at the end of the month.  And, of course, lots of Swiss friends to see again.