Getting started

July 13, 2013.  And without fanfair we started our journey. 

 

This boat is big-I am sure given time we will have more confidence in doing the simple tasks such as going to the fuel dock.  Today however, we celebrated not breaking anything, and litttle excitement after navigating the tight channel to the fuel dock, docking, and then departing La Grand Motte to begin our journey. 

 

Sailing in the Med is blissful.  I can say this now with one day expeirence!  We motored out of the harbor and soon afterwards raised the main to motor sail.  The winds slowly increased to 9 knots and we began slicing through the water under sails alone.  Perhaps i should say careening as we sailed from La Grand Motte to Marseille (anchored behind Ile Pomegues) at speeds in excess of 9 knots as the winds built.  This boat is an amazing balance of performance and comfort.  She isn't quite Ron Popiel (set it and forget it), but we had no issue relaxing for our 5 oclock tapas hour while making 9's.

 

Bastille Day July 14

 

Turns out I won't be celebraing my 40th birthday in the Cinque Tierre, however the Italians didn't promise a fireworks display to help celebrat the last night of my 30's - The French of course did!  Upon wisdom of our friend Nancy Felton, we spent a couple of days in Cassis.  Of course we anchored right in front of the town beach - turned out to be a front row seat to the town's fireworks display-of course just before dark 30 other boats joined us.  As the boats were identifying their perfect spot, a friendly "hello there" came from a Swan 54... flying the stars and stripes!  Of all places the boat the yacht listed it's port of call as Port Madison, WA.  Wh would have thought you could travel 1/2 way around the world to find someone from across the bay...

 

The helmsman gave his name and phone number - which was particularly useful as he owned a company that restores boats.  Not that Amaris needs a full restore, but she certainly needed a new halyard for her main.  Bernard connect us with a friend that had a rigging company and violla, a new halyard was quickly in place.  That afternoon, Bernard gave us a tour of his workshop.  He had a finished ChrisCraft runabout that had just been fully restored - with only 22 coats of varnish she really shined.  Appropriately named French Kiss.  He had several other yachts in various states of repair (based mostly on the financial states of their owners) including an old Herschoff design sloop. Bernard also introduced us to a Frenchman who was building his 7th boat in the corner of his space.  Shawn quickly identified the craftsmanship and was reminded of my fathers attention to detail and woodwork. 

 

Bernard's workspace had once been a workplace of 3000 welders building large cargo and tanker ships.  An incredible workspace that dwarfed the classic yachts that were being re-fit inside.  The ceilings must have been 6 stories high.  Bernards kindness was overwhelming and hopefully we can one day pay forward his hospitality! 

 

After the tour of Bernard's plant, we went out for "glace" or ice cream.  Hot French days (in the 90's with 70-80 percent humidity) are more tollerable with ice cream.  In particular - Coconut gelatto.