The Journey Begins

When a plan comes together

Its almost getting too late to start these diaries as a memory/ reminder of this epic journey the Jennings family is embarking on…It’s the 29th November 2018 and I am lying in bed sharing an Air BnBb with Louisa in her 600 year old apartment in Genoa (so glad there is a resident cat …. To make this all feel like home…) never really heard about Genoa or thought about going to Italy… let alone coming here to purchase a yacht and our future home…

The last few months have been in total turmoil with Clauds after 17.5 years at Std Bank being offered a retrenchment package, which has thrown a life dream into action (have to admit this is mine but my wonderful wife has bought into it…) Clauds stopped work in October and we decided to look at the options of renting our eclectic family house (36 Ashford Rd, Parkwood) out and embarking on a new adventure. The rentals were non-existent as we instantly moved from wanting to be in the rental market to moving directly into a sellers market.

Our beautiful, amazing, rabbit warren of a house was sold to the first buyer being in the “anti-ageing business”. Thank you 36 Ashford for being our home, where my incredible 2 daughters were born and for giving us and our friends such a warm and luxurious 7 years of our lives…The Jennings family is currently squatting in Ed & Gails very comfortable home with mom and dad living in the “living room”, the dining room has turned into our “dressing room” with racks of clothing and a plethora of clothing lying all over the place. It’s always a comfortable area for dad to get changed in while mom is in her dressing gown with Erin or Bowdie waiting their turn for the daily grooming/ hairstyle  to be manufactured. I even caught granny in there late one afternoon with her bikini (70’s bra) having a quick grooming session it is so comfortable.Our dear and beloved dogs are struggling to remain alive… Nuffie however is very well and happy enjoying the new life with Pippa and Megs, there is nothing like getting daily treats from Grandpa which are dealt out with so much love and attention, I too would happily put on a few pounds if I lived a dogs life like this… Granny (our newly adopted (10 years old but with us for 5 months), thinks life is incredibly cool but between her being incontinent and constantly cold with the most adorable ingratiating look into the wild yonder while shanking incessantly nobody is exactly sure if poor Granny is pondering life or purely blankly dismissing it all together.

I hear from a few aged around me that this could be the case…Dozer and Merlot our Labradors, the canines that assisted in cementing our marriage are unfortunalty no longer of this world. Dozer died on the 25th of May after a very unfortunate death on the farm when I drove over him in a scurry of life (Judes was in the car with us and the moment will never be forgotten). Merlot went to join Dozer only a few weeks ago on the…. When she came down with some obscure stomach infection (thanks to Ed the decision was made, thanks Ed!). Merlot and Dozer came to rest at the Bela Bela vet with both having their last moment on the Chilimanzi Farm, the place they thrived the most!! They were such an loyal and amazing beast within our family structure which I hope to remember for eternity!!!After missing my connecting flight I was picked up by Luca and Karolina our brokers from ABAYachting, the specialise in second hand yachts throughout the world. We had never met and started this journey about 6 weeks ago when Sabrina (ABAyachting) started communicating about the boat through a web search. We had a strange beginning where we were asked to place a 10% deposit in Euro on the boat prior to a contract signed, Luca convinced me that this was a happy marriage and for that I should look at the deposit as a “wedding rock” & if I go down on my knee to propose it would always be better to present the ring on engagement… awesome Italians… so we took the plunge and paid the deposit.And off we drive to the Airport Marina… my first impression of the boat “Merry Sixth” to be renamed “LodeStar” were amazing, I had to stop to take an overwhelming breath and acknowledge that this is probably our new abode for our future adventures and she is beautiful (the hull is a little dirty due to being so close to the airport but she has great lines and the perfect looking size.