For the first time in more than a year, British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler were able to update their travel blog Monday with one simple word: "free."

The Chandlers were released this weekend after being held by pirates since October 2009.

Their last blog post, titled "Farewell Seychelles," was dated October 21, 2009 - two days before they were seized from their yacht after they set sail from the Seychelles Islands for Tanzania.

The Chandlers issued a brief statement Monday, asking for privacy while they come to terms with the death of Paul Chandler's father during their time in captivity.

The couple said they planned to return to the United Kingdom soon but had no plans to give any press interviews or make any further statements until they have time to adjust to the situation.

"We have just learned that Paul's father died in late July, and we obviously need to come to terms with that," they said. "... We would appreciate it if you would give us and our families some space, and respect our privacy for the moment."

The couple landed in Kenya late Sunday afternoon, said Abdurraham Omar Osman, a Somali government spokesman. The couple's family also confirmed their arrival but would not comment on a reported ransom payment.

"Throughout the protracted discussions with the pirates it has been a difficult task for the family to get across the message that these were two retired people on a sailing trip on a small private yacht and not part of a major commercial enterprise involving tens of millions of pounds of assets," said a statement issued by the couple's family.

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