In the Med

When we arrived at Port St Louis du Rhone a chap gave us a flyer advertising crane services, after some investigations we decided he was a good option – another boat and crew who we’d met at l’ecluse St Gilles were to have their mast done with us. The weather forecast was strong wind so we weren’t sure it would go ahead. Luckily the wind was OK and after a lot of prep work and nervous energy (mostly by Al) the mast was in place. Leighton went up the mast to attach the anemometer and remove the lifting strop in a bosun’s type chair slung by the crane, much easier than being winched up even by big bro Rodney’s help. On the other boat the 70yr old wife of the crane driver went up and released the strop!!!!!

Gale 8 then 9 – gusting to 10 over the weekend **** so no fitting out work till the wind dies down – washing shopping and other exciting things……

The dear old Mistral – even with gale force winds it was hot enough to sun bathe in the cockpit, force 9 with brilliant blue sky! Weird. The cooker had to be gimballed even though we were alongside. Monday, wind easing so lots to do and hopefully sailing tomorrow – if we can remember how to. All work completed we were ready to leave – out into the Med proper, past the seriously industrial area, petrochemical plants, tankers, container ships, power stations, didn’t look back. Clear reaching breeze up to 20 knots – Leighton was delighted to see water over the decks again………….. Around the headland to a very different landscape, anchored for the night at the small fishing town Carro, next day tried our hand at fishing – no luck. Stopped for 2 nights at Port du Rouet too shallow to enter so anchored off this tiny holiday village, quite pretty – beautiful clear sea but no shops had to walk over to the next town (big hill). After lunch and a snooze (no wine involved) had my first swim in the Med off the boat – lovely.

Another night at anchor Iles du Frioul beautiful and another swim, forecast is for increasing wind so around the other side of the Iles into Port du Frioul.

Marseille is just across the water it’s huge! Another Mistral on its way, so we’re staying put here and exploring the Iles.