Good bye Port Owen!

We've waited and prepared so long, and then it happened so fast, we even sailed away for the Internet...so here I am only now! Everything was packed and filled and bought and polished and even the dinghy got a new cover made for the harsh sun in the future! And pardon me, but it was made by me, and if you think that is a miracle, this is the miracle! I used my little Singer machine, which I bought with my study money from the education Dpt in 1984!! The machine survived and only 6 needles were sacrificed...I almost did not.

In the mean time Janlie got a job, also behind a machine and helped Marianne sew some marquee tents for weddings and functions all over S.A. Johan and Marco really tried hard to find time to have fun in water, with their submarine going places!

The night before we spend with Gideon and Vanessa sipping red wine to calm the excited nerves, and said good bye to friends popping in. Early the next morning the last bulb was replaced, fresh fruit and bread were shopped, and dear Allan and Ursula stood on the jetty waving all of us in tears, or at least a very masculine lump in some throat...

Busy, Busy!

We are busy. We are putting up the tracks for the enclosure on the aft deck. We closed all the windows with beautiful silver grey netting, which worked out to be wonderful. No more glare and heat from the sun in the afternoons, and privacy at night. We bought our sea anchor drogue and ordered our flags for the different countries we are going to visit. Wow! Imagine receiving these flags from the mail, and having them aboard...it is like accepting their invitation to visit them, soon! All the canned food are marked with a permanent marker and stored, all the glass bottles are socked...no more unpaired socks going unused in this boat. Inventories are in each cupboard to stop the searching, and of course the red wine are packed away under the beds...restless sleeping!

Still so much to do in the next two or three weeks, and in between Marco is writing his final exam for grade 4!

Port Owen

We lifted the anchor for a lovely sail to Port Owen, where we found safety in our previous berth from 7 months ago! With all the spirits high it felt like coming home. We knew the faces, we knew the smells, we knew the little washing machine at the Yacht Club, and the ducks quacking away in the mornings. With all the excitement we celebrated Marco leaving behind the single digits in his life, and enjoying the ten candles on his chocolate birthday cake. I succeeded in baking the first birthday cake on Catlyn in her gas stove. Although there was a slight problem of getting the right temperature for the cake, it proofed to be a foolproof cake! We can sail the big ocean now...I am stocked with flour and cocoa!

To Marco's surprise his big orange and yellow canoe arrived from Parys. It is not the fashionable French little canoe, but a sturdy canoe out of the Vrystaat! The whole family enjoyed getting wet gliding through the water. Now we are all dreaming about our six packs again...

Stompneus Bay

We left Paternoster, after coffee. At last, we had a gentle sail, and Janlie could catch up on her tan and Marco could swing around on deck. Skipper, Johan junior sailed us to BrittaniaReef in the hope to find fish, but alas. We turned into Stompneus, and we couldn't wait to step ashore to find some black mussles on the rocks for lunch. With cold crisp white wine and a pot of mussles we spent the afternoon while the wind started howling again. Tomorrow we'll be off to Port Owen!

First anchor at Dassen Island

With the screecher out in the light wind up to 15 knots all the way, we safely anchored at Dassen. We had the whole of House Bay for ourselves. Just a pity the crayfish season was not opened yet. it was such a peaceful anchor with the penguins walking the beach, and I counted 54 oyster catchers sitting in th sun!

Six o'clock we were woken with the engines running! Johan junior decicded that we had to get sailing, and so we did. We lifted the anchor, but was soon hit by the choppy sea with the huge swells pushing us forward. A 25 knot wind was howling, and we had to reef the main close to Saldanha, when Catlyn reached 10 knots.Her heavy body was heaving, but she steadied us through the big blue, passed Columbine, on our way to Paternoster. We sailed into Patermoster at 12h30 with 30 knot of southerly wind gnawing at us. We tried to find safety close to the beach, but even the trees were bend over. Only late that night the wind subsided to a good night"s rest.

At long last!

I just stopped! I just couldn't keep on dreaming and trying to write a blog with no hope, so I just stopped. And then it happened! We left the fierce Table Mountain behind....

So I won't tell you about all of us dragging back to George to finish Matric successfully, about burying a grandma, about learning how to scuba and, and... And about our skipper turning into a Yacht Master, and Johan jr turning 18, and Catlyn being dry docked for her belly rub and massage. So in a nut shell I didn't stop dreaming, I was still preparing, and so we solar panelled Catlyn and gave her a water maker and stocked her with lots of food and tools and diesel. We actually filled her up so badly with diesel that we found a leak on the port tank. We even pulled out the electric toilet, almost with such force that it was very close to be overboard! But it's fixed, and I think it is so scared it is working like never before!!

And so we left the fierce Table Mountain behind. We slipped the mooring lines on Tuesday morning the 26th day of October! This past year we waved so many friends good bye when they left for their long voyage, always feeling a little jealous, and here we were all alone leaving RCYC, with no one waving. Catlyn sailed out with her new 3 blade props, smoothly. Dolphins and seals accompanied us out of Table Bay. And then, God's beautiful creatures bid us farewell....two huge whales with a little big baby were joining us. The big whale rolled over and she started slapping the water, giving us a Godly wave on our voyage..at last!

Easter Bunny going to Paternoster

There is Easter Bunnies in Port Owen too, and they came to visit us in Evelyn street too, in our little face brick house....and the kids were searching for the little eggs only using their riddles to find them in the house, in the garden, across the street. It is so wonderful to experience two eighteen year olds getting excited to decipher a riddle to find an Easter egg. Maybe it is just so good for them to get away from the books, even a silly Easter egg will do.

And then we had enough. Dad, Marco and me packed our things and set sail for Paternoster. We sailed to Paternoster and enjoyed a lovely evening anchored there. No dogs were barking, no street lamp was lighting up our room, no cars were driving past my bedroom window...I snugged into Catlyn's cradle, like the fetus I still believe I am in this world. The next morning after the fog disappeared we sailed back to Port Owen at a record speed of 4 hours averaging 8.5 knots all the time. Just sitting on Catlyn listening at the water running past her hulls, watching the dolphins play, feeling the wind....that is my life! Now!

Lila leaving...

Lila left this morning. We helped Paul on his long voyage, going solo somewhere. He left us with such a feeling of building excitement...it was touchable! Some time it will be us leaving for somewhere....

I am not going to write anymore on this today....the feeling inside me is just too much for words....

Not only sailing, but flying!

You think we are only sailing? The kids were invited by a friend to go flying. Bernu and his Dad took the kids flying with a little aeroplane in Vredenburg. They left early morning not knowing what to expect, but came home so excited, sharing the experience of flying in a little red aeroplane. Thanks, Bernu.

And in between Marco wrote his first formal exam, and he enjoyed this experience tremendously, feeling really grown up among the other two kids still studying for their final exam. He tried his hand to painting like his older brother, but is definitely not another artist. It is only poor Asterix and Obelix that became honored guests in our home. We go to the library every other day....

Watermaker arrived!

We've waited so long to get this little wonder.... Can you believe it is possible to take a glass of salty seawater and run it through this little miracle and open the tap to fill your glass with fresh drinking water? Well, our Little Wonder arrived and is lying ready to be installed soon. This was one of the last goodies that we had to purchase to ready ourselves for the long way over the Big Blue.

But something happened while we were out on a Charter with guests. In a stormy 40 knots wind an alarm went off. We checked everything and then realised that the noise came from the port side engine room. There was water somewhere! After we berthed safely in port Owen Marina, Johan started investigating. The alarm on the engine went off, warning us of a leak. Luckily it must be a very slow and small leak because we could only suck up a tiny amount of water. But we have to attend to this! As soon as Catlyn is going to Cape Town somewhere in the future for a big check up on the dry docks, we will be able to check out this leak.

So much for a new learning experience with our engines!

Piketberg

We drove the sixty kilometres to Piketberg, and drove all the way through the little town nestled at the foot of the Piket Mountains, just to turn left at the Piket Bo-berg sign. What a beautiful view circling up the mountain and reaching the plateau at the top, where a whole world opened up. On top of these mountains, farms were laying close to the sky, orchards full of fruit trees and vineyards and lavenders surprised us. We found a little nursery with a coffee shop serving coffee and cake of the day. On our way down we could see the hang gliders floating freely down the slopes.

Celebrating 21 twice!

And so we reached the day when the two little babies born the 11th of March 1989 turned 21!! Louis slipped away from Gauteng and we sailed the seas with all 5 kids celebrating life! Like "grown up men", they appropriately played in the water behind Catlyn, riding the waves and young laughter filled our day. Dinner was served from the sea, and we had a feast at Stompneus Bay. Too soon the long weekend came to an end and the boys went their separate ways again.




Jaco & Louis:



...and then they chose me


...and then they shared me


...and then they cared for me


...and then they loved me



and I became...mom

Meeting Mc Gregor's beauty...

We went to Mc Gregor to visit Jan and Hester and they shared their Paradise with us. Just off Robertson this little haven is hidden and I fell in love with the history and beauty of this little place with all it's artists living here. We went for lunch at Temenos and Marco explored the gardens full of energy. It is a place to find your peace no matter who you are or who your God is...you will find Him here. Whenever you are in a hurry, turn left to Mc Gregor....

We miss the water....

It has been too long. We got stuck in the little house with the kids stuck to their books,and no one thought of getting a new breeze of energy from the Universe! But we got gloomy....and then we started packing. We are leaving for the Blue! We knew the wind was going to be against us, but we couldn't wait, we had to get out! About two o'clock we left for Dassen Island as our final destination, and a good clean for our boat as well. It wasn't going to be so easy, and we remembered the joy in sailing is getting through the tough times. This was the tough times, with the wind and the current against us, and after battling through the night we were blessed with two 5kg Tuna! We toasted their gills with a shot of Whiskey, and set the sails for the gentle waters of Saldanha heading for Oude Post to get some sleep.

Before sunrise we lifted the anchor sailing to our favourite Dassen island. We were greeted by a couple of yachts who participated in the Langebaan Cruise. While Catlyn was having a scrub from the little "hotnotsvlooie" we were feasting on the fresh crayfish and tuna.
Whales and dolphins accompanied us all the way to Kraalbaai, where we stayed another day, but then it was back to "normal" again. The kids are under pressure for the last couple of subjects for their Matric in April, and we had to act like responsible parents again. We had an awesome sail with the wind pumping and the swells reaching 3,5m. Catlyn was surfing the waves at an average of 8knots all the time and in no time we reached Port Owen.

On this trip we learnt how tough it is to sail with the wind and the current against you. We also learnt to reef Catlyn in a 30knot wind with swells having no mercy, and to keep her from being over powered.

We miss her...and can't wait to move back as soon as the kids are done...May..here we come!!!

Fun in Stompneus Bay

So we decided that there must be fun in this area too. We spend the day in the car, and came across a little Pub in Stompneus, just to find parked in front of it, the van of Wynand Windpomp! We decided to stay for a while and enjoyed real West Coast people enjoying a Friday afternoon. After driving back to Port Owen we fetched the kids to enjoy a real West Coast evening.

Entertained by Windpomp and the jovial people we were touched by their friendliness, and their way of living life...

Ps. Double cheese burgers are totally recommended!

Meet Johan jr.

I introduced you to Marco, and Janlie and I would like to use this opportunity to introduce you to Johan jr. He is our 17 year old teenager living a very easy life aboard. He is our artistic child, but somehow Catlyn opened up his adventurous side. He loves taking charge of the helm, and reads the wind in the sails for maximum speed. He pushes Catlyn to 8+ knots in a 23 knot wind. Whenever the wind is coming from the right direction he is off with his wind surfer, and enjoys the safety of the Bergriver, in the company of the Cormorants and Giant Pelicans. He loves to socialise and made friends with a couple of young people from the area. Together they wake board in the river, or sail on the dinghies, or drive to Elands Bay for a body board day!

In between he tries to study for his Gr12 final exams in Apr/May this year, but luckily the expectations of a long holiday for ever from school is motivating him.

To us, he is the strong hands working the sails, the one securing the lines, the one dropping the anchor and the one grilling the meat.... We treasure the stolen time together before he leaves the nests/boat...

TMT Charters born!

What an experience! You don't wake up one morning and decide you going to charter your boat and that is it! No, Catlyn had to go through thorough inspections to make sure that she is safe enough for humans. Not only life jackets were tested, but the life raft, the fire extinguishers, the gas inlets, fuel inlets and so much more... We had to get a new number listed. We had to go for medical screening and believe it or not another course. Pre Sea Induction Course, for two days, to make sure all our guest will be prepared and kept safe on Catlyn. I even landed in an ice cold swimming pool, trying out a life jacket while learning how to strap it, jump in the sea with it and how to stay afloat with it!

Now Catlyn is ready, and my two Johan's are very busy with the brochures and websites and paper planning. I phoned all the Newspapers today to get the ads running, and soon you"ll be reading about our firsts Charter on my blog. Maybe you will be our first guest....

You can follow this link to TMT Charters : www.tmtcharters.blogspot.com

Settled with new Adventures!

Being a part of this family, doesn't leave you time to do nothing for a long time. So getting up one morning, the idea was born! While Johan and Janlie are preparing for their last and final school exam in their lives, we can just as well share our wonderful experience sharing Catlyn with some people! We rented a little house in Port Owen, just around the corner of the Yacht Club. The kids got their stability to put an effort in with their studies, Marco has a patch of lawn, and Johan and I can charter with Catlyn around the West Coast Area.

It feels great to know that we are able to share this, but I am also jealous to share Catlyn with strangers. Will they love her the way we do? Yesterday I had to move all our personal stuff from the boat, and it felt so wrong. She's been our home for almost a year. We moved into this little 3 bedroom house, and it felt so strange sleeping in a bed without being rocked to sleep. It felt so strange hearing noises in the street and next door and not the gentle sloshing of the sea.

But I spoke to my dear friend this morning, and realised that Catlyn needs to be shared. People need to enjoy her soft belly in the ocean and need to experience the feeling of being free when we set the sails and the wind takes us into the Blue. They need to lay in their bed at night, falling asleep with the lullaby of the sea....I want to share this!

School outing...

Snow in Summer at Velddrift......?

I organised a tour visiting the Ceres Saltworks in Velddrift. What an interesting morning with Eduard as our tour guide. Ceres is 65 years old and one of South- Africa's biggest salt suppliers. We started at the salt dams being pumped full of sea water. They turn pinkish because of the density of the water and we could see the salt crystals glistening on the water. It takes two to five years before they can harvest a dam, only a layer of 15cm of salt at the bottom when it is dried up. We saw the washing process, the drying process and then the refining process until little packets are filled with salt. We were only allowed to feel and taste the very fine salt, made for Kentucky and Mac Donalds! Now we know why our salt doesn't make our pop corn taste so good.

The big white washed salt heaps are used by fashion models as snow back drops when they are featuring a winter scene. Not a lot of snow aroud in S.A.

Ps. Guided tours on Thursdays. Tel: 022 7831133

Life in Port Owen Marine

We just love living in Port Owen Marine. The berth is so protected from the currents and wind that Catlyn hardly sway around. Leaving Cat for the jetties, we pass "our" beautiful gardens. We enjoy the flowers and green lawns, but we don't have to mow them or clean the weeds. We have pets coming to visit often, but we don't have to feed or clean after them.

The kids enjoy it too. They have their swimming pool, clean and so blue, but they don't have to back wash the pump. Marco enjoy riding his scooter on the beautiful walk ways and Janlie loves her jog early every morning. Wednesday- and Friday evenings we pick up on the latest yachty news at the Port Owen yacht club with a beer and a braai.

And in the mean time my sink, with a leak needed attention, and Johan taught Janlie a little bit of plumbing. The outlet is too small, and I have to be so careful not to slip foody stuff through the plugs, but I am promised this will be attended to.

And when the sun sets Marco takes us on a Sun Set Cruise on the dinghy around the channels. We even spotted otters on one of his cruises!

Living in Port Owen

We are trying very hard to create a normal atmosphere for our family. We wake up in the morning about 6h30 to the sounds of what's happening around us. Usually it is the seagulls waking us or Mother Duck with her three surviving ducklings quacking around the yachts, and then the whistling sound of the kettle telling us that Janlie is on her way with our coffee. Johan will have his laptop already in his lap and I will enjoy the opportunity with a book or my needlework. Janlie will go jogging and Marco will be in front of his computer and Johan jr will get busy with his Math. I will make an omelet or French toast or sometimes it's just a bowl of cereal for the family. Every one will keep busy with their own things, and that will give me time to spend with Marco. We are busy with time tables and revision of Math and some writing exercises while we are waiting for the CD from Brainline with his work for gr4.

Lunch is a family affair with all sitting around while Dad is creating something in the galley. There is always something to clean or to check or to fix on the boat, and this will be done now. Today my project was the gas braai...it is shining again until the next braai. Dad's project was to polish all the wood surfaces on the boat.

Around sunset we love to watch a movie or something and with the sun still high we know our Dad won't fall asleep. I will go for a jog around Port Owen's streets with Marco trailing om his scooter. We all enjoy a light dinner and relaxing time with each other. Sometimes we can watch TV, a movie on e-TV and retire to bed with face book or e-mail. This is also the time for inviting friends from neighbouring yachts for a drink or go enjoy a drink with them.

Johan and Janlie passed their learner licences successfully and can't wait to spread their wings. Jaco has passed his Radio Licence and is preparing for his First Aid course to do his Skippers soon. But he has to leave Catlyn soon for Stellenbosch to complete his studies.

I gave you a slight look in a day in our lives when we are stuck in a Marina but we need to get out to sea soon!

Port Owen Marina Yacht Club : www.portowenyc.co.za

Back to normal?

What will that be? This is who we are, this is what we are, and this is where we are.... normal?

Catlyn needs a good rub and scrub on the inside and out, and all the crew with her needs the same! We spend a slow day getting everything in order again and the kids realised that the New Year has officially started for them! They started searching for the books and pencils, and in between Janlie and Johan has to study for their Learner Licences soon, apart from the remaining three subjects for Matric they're writing in May. Jaco is also studying for his Radio Exams next week. Only Marco is showing no signs of stress....

Johan and I are looking the New Year in the eye, waiting for it to happen to us. What ever it gives us, wherever it takes us, when ever it wants us, what ever it takes....we will live it in search of the love and peace in this life!
To every one sharing this blog with me...may you live this year as being free!!

Last leg of the West Coast Cruise!

Being worried about the weather we left Elands Bay at six o'clock. The sea was rough and the wind was picking up. Time Out followed us, but the other two were still lazing in the bay. The sea was choppy and Catlyn got sprayed every now and then. With our main sail and genoa we sailed close to the wind. The progress was slow, but eventually that afternoon we saw the breakers of Port Owen. The wind picked up to 30 knots, and Catlyn amazed us at being steady and her heavy "derriere" was keeping us on a steady course. At last we sailed her into the Bergriver and moored her safely in Port Owen, with Time Out already safe.

The wind didn't slow down, and we were worried about the other two yachts still on the open sea. Only hours later Yacht Kaisosi was safe, and the mono hull Lila crept into the Marina at about 20h30, with her single handed skipper, Paul exhausted.

We were all glad to be safe, and we hugged and ate together at the prize giving dinner, knowing that we gave each other the prize for living life!!

Our family did us proud!

West Coast Cruise. Day 3

We woke up, tired after another night watch, hoping that your boat will not drag, and hoping that the boat next to you won't drag either. Because of big swells a lot of the participating yachts retired this morning and left very early for Port Owen. Only a few were left behind.

We decided to still enjoy a little bit of Lamberts bay, and the kids took the dinghy out to town. Janlie came back with shoes and the boys with fudge! On their way back the kids tried to find the triangular white cover of the dinghy which was lost with the little roll Marco had. Jaco saved it from being rusted in the deep sea! We were ready to leave.

We left the bay just behind Time Out, and enjoyed a great sail with two Snoeks to compliment the day! Yacht Kaisosi radioed us to tell us about the beautiful anchor at Elands Bay. Four yachts anchored at Elands Bay with Lila joining in. Being the only four yachts to complete the last anchorage of the West Coast Cruise, we couldn't eat the snoek alone. With pre-dinner-drinks on Time Out, we completed the evening with shared dinner from all four yachts on Catlyn! Two snoek fed thirteen people sharing stories..... Elands Bay is beautiful, and nestled close to the rocky hill, with the old crayfish factory buildings looking spooky at night, we had a peaceful evening.

West Coast Cruise-Second Leg

All the yachts gathered together close to one of the big ships in the sea to make that our new starting point..on the look out for wind! A couple of yachts withdrew but Catlyn was there till the fat lady sings. ( We haven't seen her on any of the yachts yet).

We had a good start and our main competitor, Time Out was also hanging too close for comfort. We all had our sails out for the light breeze and the spinnakers and two screechers were bulging to speed up the yachts. Each yacht went their own way to find a little bit of wind, some went inshore and we went quite deep hoping to find the wind there. But it was only a slight breeze teasing us all the way to Lambert Bay. We bumped into a couple of dolphins and a school of seven huge wales.

To pass the time while the wind stayed away the boys enjoyed cooling down on the tube behind Catlyn.

Hours later we could see Lamberts Bay, but we could also see Time Out's blue spinnaker on her way! The kids were doing all sorts of things with all the sails to help to get them filled up with the little bit of wind to get to Time Out. But we battled. Catlyn's voluptuous behind was holding us back. We could see Time Out slipping into the bay and only ten minutes later we crossed the finishing line! Major disappointment for Marco, who has never won a trophy in his life, Mom! But we were happy with Catlyn, she did us proud!

The boys immediately checked out the surf and Janlie checked out the shops. Marco taxied them ashore with the dinghy, but an unexpected wave crushed over him and overturned the dinghy! What a fright! Johan saved him from under the dinghy in seconds and Jaco overturned the little boat in seconds. He was fine, just a bruise on his back where the engine touched him. A steaming cup of coffee and a hot shower later and he was fine.

But, the little Yamaha engine was totally submerged and no sign of life! Thanks to manuals and friends with easy advise, we washed the engine with fresh water, dried the plugs, flushed the petrol and luckily I had an injection aboard, and we gave the engine a shot of petrol! That was all she needed and a little while later the sound of the engine was filling the air! Only the triangular lid in front was missing. A small price to pay for a big lesson learnt.

We invited Patrick and JC for a braai and a hot shower and living on their Holiday 23, they gladly accepted. He was the handy guy with the handy info to safe our Yamaha engine.

Again we had a choppy night, but our crew were on watch the whole night making turns to make sure that Catlyn is lying still and no other yacht are dragging closer.

My long lost friends...

He became part of my life story when we started our first day at school, and she became part of my life story a year later in gr2, at the Primary School of Delmas. We lived our stories together as great friends only to be parted because of human happenings when we were 16 years old....and then we didn't bother because we were too busy living our stories.

But then we anchored at Stompneus Bay and they were holidaying at Shelly Point and we got together on Catlyn! She was filled with people so grateful to meet each other again, sharing stories and memories and trying to build a new relationship of long lost friends.

Sipping a glass of wine we revelled in all our children mingling and getting to know each other. They left with the dinghy in the choppy sea getting soaking wet and laughter filled the night...

Adri and Charles and all your children...go well!

West Coast Cruise 2010

Port Owen was a buzz of being busy! After a lovely evening with fresh snoek and getting the spirits going for the big race tomorrow, the skippers and crew were polishing and checking their boats. They only interrupted the preparations for an enormous cholesterol breakfast at the Yacht Club. What an awesome start!

The skippers were briefed and the plan was to get to the staring line at three o'clock. What a sight! About thirty boats all shapes and sizes were lying in the bay awaiting the siren for the sails to fly! And we had a lift off....Catlyn had a great start and did her best, but the sneaky tri-marans and a couple more with carbon fibre sails slipped past. And so did a 46ftLeopard...what a yacht! The Admiral, Time Out was giving us a good challenge, but with our secret weapon, our screecher, we left her behind with screeching sails. No distractions from their female crew could waver Catlyn, but my male crew nearly succumbed to the female temptations.

All the yachts anchored in Stompneus Bay. A water taxi was battling to get all the restaurant goers safe and dry to the beach and back again. No easy job in those choppy waters with only a torch light and impatient passengers.

It was a busy night. Not a lot of sleeping was done on the boats. Some dragged, some lifted anchor a couple of times and some were just scared something is going to happen with all the boats lying snugly close together.

We had a lazy start after the night, and no wind to lift the spirits. We headed for the open sea on the look out for a breeze to carry on the second leg of the race.

Entering 2010

We left George with a new excitement for the New Year of 2010 and what it will hold...

Catlyn was waiting for us in all her beauty. Thank goodness for the clean water and air of Port Owen, after so many times scrubbing off the black soot of Elliot Basin in Cape Town. We couldn't wait to release Catlyn of all the lines holding her, and set off for Stompneus Bay. After a very bumpy night, it was spring tide the next morning and we went for a stretch on the beach. The huge rocks were filled with tempting black oysters, and we couldn't resist a few.

It was so good to be back!!