The first day of 2009 has heralded the start of making our dream a reality.
Well, not the start really, as SO much work has already been put into it (by Rolf mostly!) but the real beginning of the voyage. The next 4 months will see us leave this home with only a car and trailer, travel to Cape Town where we will both undergo 6 week training courses, finalise yacht details and watch Ketoro take shape. Hopefully we will start living in this new home of ours in March, provision it and do a LOT of practice-sailing before we set sail up the east African coast around mid-April.
When did the dream REALLY start? Probably in Rolf's mind about 30 years ago.... seems he has always been besotted by boats (which does not help if you live surrounded by mother earth: you surround yourself with yachting magazines instead). So, when Irene adopted the dream and vowed "for better or worse, for richer or poorer" she too made a commmitment to this route.
And so, ultimately, Ketoro was born. The yacht's name means "It is the dream" in three African languages: a beautifully appropriate name for this yacht in this place at this time.
So it is the first day of the year which will see the fulfilment of the dream. This is the first entry of, hopefully, many. We have no idea when, where or what the last entry will be. We will try to share as much of our journey as possible with our beloved friends and family: this will be via the Ketoro Travels blog mainly but ideally also through your Ketoro visits to really share our experiences. That was your open invitation.... now make that a reality!
Congratulations on making the dream a reality. Look forward to updates and joining Ketoro at some stage soon.....
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of you, but we are going to miss you so much in Pretoria.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff and so exciting - will follow closely and hope to see you in New Zealand soon.
ReplyDeleteWell done! I too am very proud of you both, you have worked hard towards this goal and you deserve to have the best time ever!!! I will certainly miss you but I look forward to all your updates and maybe even being on board (Alaska here we come) Marcia
ReplyDeleteMy invitation still stands!! Bloem is a hot but nice stop-over. Enjoy this big adventure!
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Lizel
Irene and Rolf - we wish you one of the happiest experiences of your lives - and may your problems be small and few! We'll certainly miss you...but look foward to you sailing in for "tea"..........or whatever!!!!! much love Tony and Ingrid xxx
ReplyDeleteWe miss you both already!!! wow, I managed to see your blog!! will keep up to date now. See u end of January!
ReplyDeleteLove Sally
A big hole has been left in our hearts but can just picture that LARGE "snaiL" as you headed down to CT with all your belongigns on that trailer. Well almost all:) Hopefully you are learning FAST!!!
ReplyDeletehi.. will try AGAIN to send msg... looks like there is still plenty to do!!
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, Reality bites, wow, good luck for the next few weeks, -you obviously LOVE studying. See you in CT Knysna or Madagascar???
ReplyDeleteWatching with envy in temperatures very far below freezing. What perfect timing to be cutting loose and how brave you both are. Even the ditching of aardse goed sounds wonderfully cathartic to me. And knowing you, you will make some wonderful new friends along the way.
ReplyDeleteLet us know when you have crossed the world to the US or we'll join you in far east ...
love
Heather Jim and Fuschia
Well Done passing.. wish it was this week end that we were coming to West Coast...ENJOY IT ALL!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Sally and Clive
I LOVE reading all your news - and you sound like seasoned sailors ALREADY!!!!! You've got me watching the weather for you along the coast now (!!!)..........hope all is well this week! Look forward to the next episode in the serial saga!!!!! All sounds fabulous - much love Tony and Ingrid
ReplyDeleteHi Irene and Rolf,
ReplyDeletewow, - i have just read sun, 8th,s blog, - what an amazing experience, - i loved the Rolf.s comment,about Pretoria!This will all be a dream once to set sail on your own.
I am now hooked on you blog and look forward to reading your next entry.
take care , love judy
Ahoy there from the Renckens in 'Sleepy Hollow' KZN! Patty has just sent us your blog address so we'll now be able to share in your awesomely exciting adventure! We're both well, enjoying being in Darby and Joan mode! Rup's still a happy, busy Urologist, managing to play Golf every Sat, Snooker every Wed, and go to a Quiz pm every Mon! I'm now a complusive Quilter and Scrapper and (only for love) still help Rup run the Practice! Liesel and Ken have been married 5 years, live in Fourways where Ken works as an civil enigneer and Liesel is Creative Director at Lonehill Methodist church. No babies yet, only an adored lab called Hobbes and a Persian kitty called Lilah. Gitta lives in Durban and works as a fashion designer for the designer Colleen Eitzen in Drummond. She and Darius have been going out for 5 years. He works in Richard's Bay as a mechanical engineer but will move to Durban in Sept. Hoping there'll be wedding bells then! We look so forward to plotting your route...take special care and enjoy every momemt of living out your dream!! Much love, Rup and Des.
ReplyDelete