Sunday, July 13, 2008

Brest – A brief(?) respite and where does the time go?

Severance changed course in the Azores to Brest, France (original destination was the UK) as we were told about a huge maritime festival that is held every 4 years.

My first impression was not good...I ran aground inside the marina (2am) making the boat the 1st to reach Europe!

After extracting ourselves (which would have occurred shortly in any case as the tide was incoming and runs about 20') we tied to an open spot to awaken to the typical weather conditions of the next week...30 knot winds trapping the boat against the pier!

We were extricated via a marina launch and brought inside to a normal mooring, the 3rd boat rafted against the wall.

The weather here matches Green Bay in early November, except it rains a lot (misting and full downpours).

People here are pretending it is summer and I will be walking in a fleece and rain jacket and pass someone in shorts and a tee shirt!

The 1st week here there was a huge low pressure center and terrible sea conditions, which kept a lot of boats in the UK that would have come to participate in the festival (classic boats).

Since then the weather has just merely been awful.

Enough about the weather, this is really a nice city and an amazing sailing center.

There are thousands of boats here, I will try to put something together about the festival and include a few photos.

Eric and I ended up catching the start of the Tour de France, total serendipity on our part. (kind of a brief experience, we saw them at the bottom of a hill and they are there and gone in a flash).

I'm decompressing, working on boat problems and trying to get things in order before we work our way up the coast of France.

My biggest issue is an intermittent drive train vibration problem that keeps us from having effective engine power when it occurs. Not a good situation in a high tidal current sailing environment.

I'm trying to get a mechanic, but Monday is Bastille day and everyone is totally booked until after the festival.

I'm still convinced the problem is my transmission...I have a spare one at home that I would love to drop in to see if that is the problem, but C'est La Vie!

We've finally located the major marine stores, so I can address the other issues.

Armando is amenable to any location as his goal is to study for the Yachtmaster certification.

The wireless internet service is (of course) typically out of range of the boat, and wasn't working for the 1st 5 days we were here. There is a computer available in the office, but the keyboard is French, making it an interesting experience to watch what comes out as you type!

Somehow the days just seem to get away from you...

Today we are off to the festival (which is 5 miles away at least...Eric and I made that walk too many times to count).

As for when the boat will move again, I can't say,

But I do need to decompress...the last few months are a total blur and I need some down time.

So, on with the fleece and rain jacket and off to the festival!

(Written by Scott; Posted by Diane for Scott)

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