France - Au revoir Les Sables
We did a last few goodbyes, finished some improvement/maintenance items, cleaned the boat, added some stickers (to show port of registration and added Kwilena to dinghy), tested Code zero sail we had made for us in Germany, tried mast climbing gear and cooked up many meals for the trips ahead of us.
Route Planning (distances, obstacles, tides , tide and wind direction etc) was also done. It was, however, difficult to get clear answers if a boat coming from France is allowed to enter Spanish harbours such as Gijjon or Santander. Luckily the Marine of Santander in Spain advised yesterday that we are allowed to enter. We will need to have a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old. We should be able to do the test in Royan or Archachon or even La Rochelle (our first port of Arrival after Les Sables)- we will wait and see.
Exotic fish in our private Aquarium below
Kwilena Tool box :-) including German beer...
We love the seafood here (sorry Vegan friends...)
The air draft of the boat is 18.42 m so the climb up the mast is not easy. Add wind and waves to it ... it must be terrifying...
Added sticker on steps for Boat Port Registration (Mooloolaba/Queensland/Australia), a sticker showing markers for anchor chain depths we have added (on photo is also Sven with a drill in his hand) and added Kwilena Sticker for the dinghy.
One of the engine rooms. On the right side of the picture - fuse we are waiting for for the engine compartment fan. In the back you can also see the water maker panel,
Cooked many meals to freeze. Some meals I have cooked may not mean anything to some of you - these are mainly meals I grew up with. We have Hungarian Lecso, Szegediner Gulasch, Kraut Fleckerl, gelegte Kartoffeln, Saftleisch, Green vegetable curry, Thai soup, Bolognese, Zurich Gschnetzeltes. You never know with Covid where we end up and what is open when we arrive. This is also in case we are tired or waves / winds increase and also because I had time and loved to cook in the new kitchen and this inspiring environment. Fridge is also stocked with fresh veg and fruits.
We smile in the morning when getting up and we smile at night before going to bed - life is fantastic.
This is the only time I have cried so far - cutting the onions...
Goodbye to Lagoon team and thanks Marco for boat pic with the 2 of us and short video posted further down in this blog
Filling up with Diesel :-)
Early start - glad we came prepared. Not the best look but we are warm. Cool so early on the water. We are excited to finally start our trip along the coast towards the south. We will take it very slowly - we are in no rush and want to visit many places along the way.
A short video of us leaving the port
Exiting the Port in Les Sables d'Olonne - France
and off we go :-)
Sven put his trust in me and went for a 2 hours nap.
More soon.
Great pics and certainly a far cry from civilization for the rest of us!!
Enjoy :-)
Au revoir !
It's been such a great time to have you in Les Sables ! We hope you are enjoying your trip and your boat. We wish we were with you !
Thanks for the news, we are waiting for the next chapters !
Fare winds and sail safe !
The Lagoon team
Thank you for this fantastic and in detail update! I find it exemplary that you took the courage and realized your dream. I definitely envy you for the freedom and the adventures ahead of you. If you meet another sailor who is looking for his "sailoress " please do let me know :-). I wish you lots of wind and unforgettable moments. Thank you again for the wonderful pictures and sharing your last days.