LIFE RAFT TRIP (aka Planes, Trains and Automobiles)
22 October 2011 | Western Europe
Dean
Where have Dean and Crew been you ask? Well let me fill you in!
Part of Necessity’s safety gear is a Winslow six person life raft, and after five years it requires inspection and re-certification. The only authorized dealer in Europe is located in Antwerp.
So while Brian and his crew sailed Necessity through the Dalmatian Islands we had the raft shipped from Venice, Italy to Belgium. A three week turn around period is required to complete the work so a plane, train and car adventure was organized.
First step was to catch a flight to the UK, rent a car and tour Stonehenge…all in the same day. Drive the rental car (on the wrong side of the road!) up to the old walled city of York. A Roman, Saxon and then Viking stronghold. A six day stay in London completed the UK trip.
Next; take the EuroStar train to Paris. Five days in the city of romance, a day in Versailles, and then a tour WWI and WWII sites along the Normandy coast and the Ypres Salient. Very proud to be Canadian. Many acts of heroism and sacrifice by our troops. In The Great War the Allies would put the Canadian colours out front in every battle because the Germans were afraid us! And with good reason given some of the exploits related to us on our tour.
We successfully rendezvous-ed with the re-certified life raft in Antwerp, Belgium. A quick succession of trains through Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and finally to Croatia to rejoin the boat at Split.
So many highlights. The history of London and in particular Greenwich with all four of John Harrison’s clocks on display. Such a great story in the long quest for a practical solution to the problem of longitude. Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral with all the monuments to England’s past, Nelson, Wellington, and even Wolfe.
Paris was not at all like I had imagined it. So many friendly people, so many parks and walkways, and many wonderful districts to explore. A city of surprises and monuments.
Switzerland and Austria are totally clean with seemingly manicured farms and lots. Zermatt has the iconic Matterhorn, and as the weather in northern Europe has been so good this vista was presented in all its majesty. Zurich is beautiful but very expensive.
Munich is just great, affordable and very much alive. Dining in the large beer halls was unique. Dachau was very well done and somber.
Innsbruck is situated along the Inns River cradled in a nest of mountain peaks.
Slovenia was a big surprise, so friendly, and the charm of Ljubljana unsurpassed.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and here we experienced our first full day of rain in three months of touring! One light drizzle at Stonehenge and again at Passendale have been all we have had. Hot weather with lots of sunshine has been our daily fare.
After four weeks of touring we are happily back on board Necessity in Split awaiting our next crew, the much admired Dawe duo. There weather will not hold so we have plans to sail four hundred miles south to Corfu, Greece and warmer climates. Stay tuned!
Dean & Crew
(will post some photos on the SailBlog Gallery presently)