This postscript to our 'Sailing Away' blog is written to celebrate the return of Carole, Bob and 'Sea Change' from their epic voyage to the Bahamas. Unlike us, they did not cheat by buying a boat 'down south' and leaving it there to fly back! They started in late August 2008 and arrived back in Toronto today - 14 June 2009! A fantastic adventure. Their blog can be found at seachangeheadssouth.blogspot.com/
This was the weekend of the RCYC's annual cruise-race across from Toronto to Youngstown, N.Y. Carole & Bob had been putting in long days on their trip north to get to Youngstown to see the group and sail back to the RCYC with them all.
We just had to 'nip' over from Niagara-on-the-Lake on northern 'Vectis' though! A five minute trip! We did this on Friday afternoon and met them for a lovely dinner at Youngstown Yacht Club. We watched the sun set in splendour over Niagara-on-the-Lake, and hoped to catch a glimpse of that elusive 'green flash' which we had never seen in the Bahamas. Still no luck! It was great to laugh over all the adventures we'd had together. I wore my "Eleuthera, not for everyone" T-shirt and we had an instant 'in-joke'!
On Saturday Bill and I walked up to Fort Niagara and toured the Fort. It has been beautifully preserved, and its' strategic and majestic setting at the mouth of the mighty Niagara has given it a history full of epic battles and conflict. All is peaceful now except for the huge 'Homeland Security' marine base just around the corner!!
The other boats arrived from Toronto later in the afternoon, and that evening we barbecued on the dock and had the hilarious (as always) award ceremony given by Terry O'Connell. The sun shone warmly on our festivities...which makes a change as this spring has been so cool!
This morning (Sunday 14 June) most of us met for breakfast at the little cafe (greasy spoon) at the top of the hill. It has a perfect view over the mouth of the river. Then it was time to say goodbye to everyone as they sailed (probably motored!) back to the RCYC where a flotilla was to come out to meet 'Sea Change' and escort her in for celebratory cakes and wine! Carole and Bob will sleep in their own bed tonight and not have to get up at crack of dawn to listen to the weather forecast, and set off for yet another 50 mile leg of their journey!
We will look forward to joining 'Sea Change' somewhere en route when we sail to the Thousand Islands later this summer.
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