This Wednesday morning we came to the joint decision to withdraw our offer on the Grand Banks 32 in Maryland which we saw and surveyed before Thanksgiving. Cosmetically the vessel was first class, but the more we dug, the more problems we found, and many were not fixes that we can do ourselves or wanted to do.  Of course there is much more to it than that:

Since we returned to the USA last year we have missed the camaraderie of fellow long distance cruisers.  The weekend boaters are just that.  The memorable CCA summer cruise reminded us of just how important the cruising life is to our enjoyment of boating, and as we departed Maine, it was increasingly apparent that we should sell Cormorant.  It is a decision that we still feel was the right thing to do.  We thought a coastal/inland cruising boat would satisfy our boating wants and needs, and we fell in love with the Grand Banks 32.  But dealing with the legally careful brokers, the piratical boatyards and the superficial surveyors brought home to us that our boat-owning days are over.  Sixteen years ago when we did not know any better, we would have cheerfully signed on the line and started the non-ending flow of money.  Now, our hard-gained knowledge of what is right and what is not right  or reasonable has worked against us wanting to continue.  The crowning blow occurred when Harry awoke Wed. still wavering between making a counter offer and withdrawing, when he realized that every time that he thought about the boat, rather than being joyful and excited, he felt apprehension and anger.

We are happy with our decision, and once made, it was as if a heavy weight was lifted from our shoulders.  Now we have the opportunity to travel when we wish, rather than working it around boating season.  We still expect to do the occasional charter, rather than swallowing the hook completely.

Jane's hand is healing nicely, although she is impatient with the progress.  We are finally doing some gardening in our tiny yard.  Yesterday we planted a large camellia with many large blossoms in our small back yard.  The squirrels, birds and flock of not-so-wild-anylonger turkeys entertain us as they visit our back yard feeders.  Slowly, we are adjusting to life on land.

With this post we are "signing off" on this cruising blog, since we aren't going to be actively cruising. We thank all of our readers over the years for sharing our travels and posting notes. The stories and photos will remain on line.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Robin &Bob
12/15/2013 06:08:30 am

A beautiful and appropriate end to an awesome journey we loved being able to share through your posts and friendship... We now await the post in a year or two saying that it is not only cruising plans that are written in jello! Very smart to focus on redefining your lives post Cormorant, God be with you.

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Robin & Bob
12/15/2013 06:09:31 am

PS Love the tree!

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Lenny & Gina
12/16/2013 06:26:02 am

That's the second strangest Christmas Tree I've ever seen. That's a story we'll share with you when next we meet. Love and laughter to you both.

Brian and Laraine Bennett
10/21/2014 06:57:57 am

We have just been going through 'favourites' on our laptop and saw your blog. Hadn't read it for ages and discovered your new directions in life. Wow!! What wonderful memories you have from your cruising life. Cormorant's new owners are going to love her. We still sail the Sandy Straits, Fraser Island in 'Just Perfect' and as always love meeting the yachting fraternity. We have never forgotten you Harry and Jane :) A big hello from us in Australia!!

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Christina Gillgren
9/10/2017 06:20:20 am

Hello from Malta.. I am writing a book on our sailing adventures and just got to Greece, where I described the incident with fouled anchors when a Greek Charter yacht put down his anchor on top of Feijao,s in Norwegian Bay. It brought back lovely memories.

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