Saying Goodbye

A lot is written about the cruising life - the exotic and exciting locations with spectacular geography and fantastic anchorages; the passage making with its sleepless nights and sometimes great sailing. Then there are the countless descriptions of the people and the joys to be had in sharing the cruising experience. No one however, has written about the pain of saying goodbye.

There is the obvious regret at having to leave a place that you are enjoying. This is born out of the loss of the comfort or protection a place might offer. It is difficult to throw off the lines from a yacht club or marina where you have been embraced and pampered with showers, washing machines, limitless power and water. This however, is only regret. I am writing here about the pain of leaving people whom you have come to know and with whom you have shared experiences, joys and excitements.

These people can be club members that invite you into their lives, introduce you to their friends and show aspects of their location that you do not see as a passer bye. They make you feel at home, comfortable and welcome. To leave these people is painful and you often ask why am I going? Why not stay, these are great people and we are having a great time.

Then there are the people that you meet and sail with. With these people you share a different bond. A bond born out of shared experience, often exiting, sometimes dangerous but always character changing. These people stay with you after the pain of leaving has subsided and you take joy in the fact that you meet them and hope that that you will see them again.

Some of these people you will never see again. This is the way life is. You move off and your paths never cross again. Some of these people will pass away and thus you can never see them again. You will never sail with them again or share a beer at the bar. They will stay with you forever though because having met them you will never be the same again.

Ian Collett, 1953 - 2015 Rest in Peace