We are John and Selena on sailing yacht Betwixt, homebuilt 35 ft steel and wood ketch, maiden voyage from South Africa. John built our boat in Johannesburg, launched her in Richards Bay. Our adventure began in March 2024.
We took a short break visiting family in the UK, and on a quick tour around Scotland, I noted a number of charming marinas which will be future mooring places!
It started with a hiccup. In Namibia. In St Helena it became a physical chest pain when swallowing, occasionally. In Salvador it developed into a real problem, enough to be sent to emergency clinic. Some meds prescribed and told to get an endoscopy if no improvement. We were about to head slowly to Rio de Janeiro so big city, good place to get medical treatment if needed. The difficulty in swallowing became a cannot swallow, from a constricted esophagus. Apparently it is quite rare. First Gastroenterologist, first endoscopy (please fast for 12 hours before the endoscopy, um, what part of cannot swallow...? ). Need a dilation at another Gastroenterologist, but hospital immediately to get rehydrated. We were so unprepared for what happened next. Hooked up with a drip and told to wait for a tomography. Naively we planned to check into a hotel for the night if we got out of the hospital late as it is ...
The cancer diagnosis is cruel fate. In a foreign land with a foreign language. It was a turmoil of decisions, plans made and changed; daily. Our sons arrived from Australia and the UK to be supportive. We moved into an apartment; this meant more creature comforts but less "home". Home is our tiny cabin that rocks gently in the sea, surrounded by 360 deg view of blue water and sky, with brilliant sunrises and charming sunsets. Brazil allows up to 6 month visitor visa. In order to undergo the treatment plan of chemotherapy, surgery, and more chemotherapy; we need to extend our visa. This involves dealing with Brazilian and South African bureaucracy. One step at a time. Four chemo sessions every two weeks, each chemo is a knock down. John was determined to take the family sailing as Matthew and Bruce had both left South Africa before the boat was completed. It all fell into place soon after Chri...
After 30 years of living on our 5 acre plot in the country, our one bedroom apartment in Richards Bay is a change. Our place is just over a small channel from the Zululand yacht club and boatyard. I love the view of the marina. So chilled. Frantic packing and basically abandoning possessions and our home, we finally left Johannesburg to begin our new life arriving in RB at midnight. This past week has been busy. It feels a little like we are on holiday here, and I will want to go home soon. Sailing lessons have kept us occupied. Fortunate that a new sailing school has just started up here in RB saving us trips to Durban. We need the certificates to sail our own boat when she is ready; Day Skipper, Coastal, and Off-Shore. Its a process of learning the ropes and accumulating the specified nautical miles to qualify. Our beautiful Betwixt was just where we left her. Work began immediately. The st...
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