Off again!

This time to the Arctic Circle. She's joining a new ship in Longyearbairn Svalbard tomorrow. A short six week contract followed by a longer one in August.

My whole married life has been one of "Hails and Farewells". With a husband formerly in the Navy, we were forever saying goodbyes. A bitter sweet experience.

Followed by our "Goodbyes" to extended family as we moved through our life in six different countries on three continents.

Then later waving big kids "Goodbye" as they went off to Uni in a far off country from where we were living.

Even now waving "Goodbye" hasn't ended for us as two of our brood have chosen lives at sea, this time in the Merchant Navy. But amid the sad "Goodbyes" we also get to experience the joy and excitement of the "Hello's" on their returns. So a silver lining of appreciation and thanks when we are all together again.

She's just arrived in Svalbard! Broad daylight at 1.30am!!!