04/09/2013, Toulon
Heading for Barcelona & then Valencia. 33 hours to go, left at 12.45 from Toulon. The weather passage says we are good to go, but I don't store a lot of faith in these web pages. Weather is lovely and warm at the moment. Richard is just putting his fishing rod out for the first time this year. Had a drama just as we were leaving as Cap'n Jack discovered that one of the navigation lights on the bow was not working so here was last minute dash to he chandler to pick up a spare bulb. We are heading straight across he Gulf de Lion, a little weary as it is know to kick at a moments notice. We will be going straight through the night, sharing the watch in the early hours! Next time we hit land we should be in Spain.
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Comments [1]
Wish you both pleasant sailing!
04/04/2013, Toulon
Back in Toulon, Why Not came out of the water on Tuesday and she is now sitting in her cradle on the hard having her bottom cleaned and anti fouled. We are living on the boat which is a little different, seeing as we are 3 meters up in the air. Hoping the weather will improve soon, not very warm. Hoping to set off for Valencia with in the next week, still trying to decide whether we should make a run for it across the gulf de lion or whether it would be prudent to follow the coast around to Spain. These Mistral winds can come from no where and they are not very forgiving.
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03/07/2013
We have had 3 days of solid rain and wind. The wind has been so strong, around 40 knots. Everyone seems to have the same idea of not coming out until its brighter outside. Last night our neighbour, who is not on their boat had a problem as his lazy line snapped and in the wind his boat swung round and his anchor started to grind against the boat on his other side. His stern also did some rubbing against the quay. Our neighbour got off lightly, but he is still going to need some tlc.
Needless to say, our mechanic decided it was too cold & wet to do the engine service and said he would come either Thursday or Friday. It has come as no surprise that he hasn't pitched today, so we will have to see if he comes tomorrow.
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03/04/2013
The new electric turbine is up and spinning full tilt. Well impressed with my Bob the Builder, turned engineer. Richard is promising me that we will not be having any more warm beer!. Seeing as I don't drink beer I didn't see this being a major hardship..... Now warm white wine is a sacking ofence.!!
Wednesday, the marine mechanic is coming to service the engine. The days here are beautiful, nice warm days to sit in the cockpit and bake in the sun trap.
Got back on Saturday from spending a few days in Courchavel, skiing with my first born, Cayley. Fantastic snow and skiing. When we drove back to boat we stopped at the vineyards along the way to sample the wine and buy a bottle or 2.
In the last few days there is a lot of activity in the marina, it's as if everyone is willing summer on so everyone can get going.
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02/20/2013
Our reconditioned sail is up, Richard is very impressed with it, they look like they did a great job and looks as good as new. It cost 660 euros to recondition which should give us a few more years sailing out of her. All Richard's parts have arrived so he has been busy fixing his furling drum and my tap amongst various other little jobs. We have had a man round to quote on the damage that we had while away.
The mornings here are beautiful, with the sun really warm, but the evenings still get quite chilly. We brought a whole lot of English rations in the car, so my cupboards are well stocked up. The French supermarkets are great, but you can't help miss your home comforts like English tea, Heinz baked beans, up sauce. Needless to say, we have enough on board to last a couple of years! I also brought quite a few fray bentos pies for the store cupboard. Thought they would go down well when fish or local provisions are low.
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02/20/2013
Got back to the boat, only to discover that 2 weeks ago they had some very rough weather and even though we and our neighbor had plenty of fendors between us, we have collided and the 2 boats on the beam have got quite a bit of damage. 3 of our fendors are gone and the toe rail has been buckled and the paint totally taken off. We came off lighter as our decks are higher than our neighbour. His wooden toe rail has been pulled up and broken in a couple of places. Needless to say neither of us were very happy, but these things happen, when you are not on board.
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