A record set, and still a tear to wipe away

Today André flies home. Mixed feelings again: on the one hand we’re going to miss him, on the other we’re glad Loek is getting his dad back and Leo her man. And that they can finally take the presents out from under the tree☺️.

But we have enjoyed his company, his presence and his help enormously. On top of that he now holds the RECORD: longest-staying guest ever on Merrimac: two months (actually I think he’s the longest-staying guest we’ve ever had, full stop; I can’t quite remember how long Connie lived with us back in Leiden). Then again, it felt more like we’d gained an extra member of the family.

I think the fact that André stays very calm and has a lot of patience worked in his favour; that’s how he managed to put up with us for so long. All sorts of jobs, by no means always pleasant ones, under far from ideal conditions, were done without a sigh or a groan. Bailing water for as long as it took until the bilge was bone dry. Listening to Kees swearing and letting it all wash over him.

André could sit quietly gazing into the distance for ages while the rest of us were reading. “I’m thinking” was the answer whenever we asked if he wasn’t bored, or whether he’d like a book. As far as I know, the little book about Suriname is the only tome he read on paper; other than that it was the news and WhatsApp on his phone.

He’s a dab hand at splicing and fishing, so we’ll be enjoying his creations for a long time to come. We’ll never forget catching and processing that first tuna.

Taking selfies is also something I learned from him, and I might do it more often now, if only to have a better log.

Anyway, we’ve got enough memories and running gags to keep us going for a while.

Kees and I are taking him to the airport now. Since I’m rather good at shedding tears at goodbyes of any kind, I had already warned him that I might well have to wipe away a tear at the airport. I was reminded of that all week: “Are you going to cry when I leave?” Haha, that’s just how I’m made, it’s nothing personal.

André, these were two fantastic months, you fit seamlessly into our life on board. You’re welcome to come sailing with us again, but do bring Loek and Leo next time!

2 November 2019: start of the trip from Schiphol

28 December 2019: André leaves from Suriname.