Farewell from Port Ghalib

Blog contributed by Gordy

It was to be our final evening together on the boat and my eighteenth and final night’s rest in my berth aboard the Athina. As always, I slept well in my top bunk with my ear to the open porthole-but this morning was different; as I awoke around 6.30 am - it was the quietest I had heard it so far. No harbour noise-no late disco-no call to prayers; but more importantly no wind or water ripples on the boat. Perfect for a Red Sea crossing. A leisurely muster was in order as the Port Authority informed us previously that customs and immigration could not be started till after 9.00 am-but as I was not leaving by sea, Johnny requisitioned my passport early. We then set about our usual daily inspections-paying particular attention to detail as this was to be the longest leg by far-360 NM. I had a final look at the navigation log I had been keeping, and to date, the Athina had cruised for 1200 sea miles and over 95 hours under power-and after adding on other supplementary tasks etc carried out ashore, it was little wonder that the crew were always ready for bed at night! After packing my kitbag it was soon time for a final photo call and goodbyes on the quayside. There were a few moist eyes-but Johnny soon fired up the mighty Pentas and started the first part of the journey to the customs quay-100 meters east! A taxi had arrived to take me back up the coast to Hurghada-but I had decided to wait at the Costa Coffee shop (yes-really-there is one) to see them leave. One hour became two and even after sending out reviving Costa tea and coffee it was obvious that things were taking much longer! After some shouting across the fuel quay to Johnny and Julie, I decided I had to get going up the road and leave. As I turned the corner I looked back at the Athina still tied up alongside and I silently wished all three well.
The trip has been a fantastic experience-with some truly incredible sights, comradeship, endeavour and gritty make do-but worth every moment! Hopefully it will not be too long before we both see Johnny and Julie and-maybe-someday-Athina.
As I write this from Hurghada there is a full moon directly overhead the Red Sea-the same moon that will be guiding John and Julie home. Every five minutes the Athina will take them over a mile closer to Jeddah and I wish them all Bon Voyage.