Mark and I finished 2015 in style. Our “unofficial” celebrations started on December 28th, when the owners of our house sit arrived back home from their trip up north. We concluded a successful two week stay in their home with drinks on the patio and a wonderful meal out in a Japanese restaurant. The four of us had a great time and hope to meet again.
Bob, Mark and Jane with cocktails in the “bird cage”
On the 29th, we drove from The Villages to Vero Beach to celebrate Rosie’s birthday. She and her husband Sim were moored there with SV Wandering Star, awaiting a good weather window to go to the Bahamas and – more importantly – awaiting us.
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- Our home for three days
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- Reindeer on a power boat
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- Friends together again
We surprised Rosie with a cinema visit (something they, and most cruisers, rarely do) and all-you-can-eat popcorn. The movie of choice? Star Wars in 3D… of course! Afterwards, we all had a fun evening out in an Italian restaurant, adding a few extra pounds to our already expanding bellies.
The day after, we hung out with our friends, soaking up the boat life (No, we do NOT miss it! :-)) and going for a walk on Avalon Beach.
Rosie and I had a lot to catch up on, so we left the boys alone to do “their thing” and combined two of our favorite activities: talking and strolling. It doesn’t matter where we go and what we talk about… we never have enough time!
The last day of the year arrived swiftly. We all planned to leave early on January 1st: Sim and Rosie would attempt the Gulf Stream crossing to the Bahamas and Mark and I would start our long drive north. Our hosts could use some time to prepare their boat and we planned a meeting with our cruising friends Steve and Lili from SV Liward, who have a condo near the beach in Jupiter. Six months out of the year they live there and we happened to be close by! We drove another one and a half hours south and had a good time catching up with them. As always, it felt weird to see one another again in such different circumstances and environments. The last time we had met up was on our boats in French Polynesia, thousands of miles away.
We joined Sim and Rosie again late afternoon and New Year’s Eve could start in earnest! Not ones to go out often and spend loads of money, we found a cozy and original bar in Vero Beach for a couple of happy hour drinks (Waldo’s), before walking back to the mooring field for a memorable and humorous evening with our friends.
Happy hour at Waldo’s
Rosie and Sim prepared a scrumptious dinner, we made party hats and played games. Usually, it is difficult for Mark and I to make midnight, even on New Year’s Eve, but this time, it was a breeze. In great company, with a clean, empty slate and no concrete plans, Mark and I toasted to an easy, comfortable, productive and healthy 2016.
Happy New Year to all of you!!
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January 2, 2016 at 05:33
I am glad, and not at all surprised to hear that you developed a friendship with your clients from The Villages. And those pictures of Avalon Beach are GORGEOUS.
Looks like you had a great New Years Eve Celebration (the pictures with the funny hats and horns cracked me up). Like you, we spent our New Years with cruiser friends which was nice. Great to connect with old salts. As you know, we never say good-bye, simply, see you later.
Thank you so much for your friendship and support in 2015 (and 2014 and 2013). Wishing you a fun, adventure filled, and prosperous 2016….perhaps with a trip to Sydney thrown in ?!?!?!
January 5, 2016 at 19:14
Thank you so much for your nice wishes, Lisa! If Sydney were to be a little bit closer, I would be there in a minute! But, far away or not, you guys are very prominent in our minds! xxx
January 2, 2016 at 07:46
Happy New Year Liesbet. A wonderful round up of our time. So glad I got to spend my birthday and NYE with you. And at least you got some sunshine. Wishing you everything you want for 2016!.x
January 5, 2016 at 19:16
And the same goes for you, Rosie! May 2016 bring you happiness, all the things you want to gather, and all the places you desire to visit! And, hopefully, we will be able to meet again this year!!! xxx