6 august 2010 / 6 august 2011 - One year in the blue

One year since we left Port Saint Louis du Rhône, at Navy Service where ECapoe had spent almost 10 years – Hi Philippe ! We sailed 5700 NM. Only one long 24 day navigation, 2800 NM. Another 5 days to reach the Canary islands from Cadiz, Spain. The rest was short 3 hour trips in the Caribbean, to 3 day-runs west. We spent of course much more time mooring than sailing. We staid in marinas only in the Canary islands, and now a month in Colombia because we want to leave the boat to visit the country.

Of the Mediterranean, not much to say. We were just a bit worried by the future of the trip. Lack of self confidence. We loved Gibraltar The crossing to the Canaries was an excellent test, the longest sail we had ever done !! Stopped in La Graciosa were we wish we had staid longer. In the Canaries, we encountered the world of blue water sailors, had the pleasure to visit in detail Lanzarote and Tenerife, and had to wait long for a favourable weather to leave to the south west.

The Atlantic crossing. Well, not great. It took us a month in Sainte Anne, Martinique, to recover and we still hesitate now to jump into the Pacific Ocean !

The Caribbean, a whole world where charter sailors regret to have so little time, European sabbaticals have to cross back for their second trans-atlantic within 6 months (!!!) and long distance sailors enjoy having time to hesitate between Hartman Bay and Trinidad to spend the huricane season. And nice people. We have always felt safe there.

Our boat went well. Nothing broke. Little trouble with energy, engine, corrosion, but details. Rather lack of preparation. If I compare with some others boats, ECapoe did pretty well for its 35 years ! We met a few Amph's owners, and we wish them great sailing.

The kids did quite well. They got used to the the changes in languages and culture. Now playing with spanish and english. And boat schooling went ok. A bit of struggle but the result is fine. They now enjoy a month hollyday in Colombia.

We sign for another year. Who knows from where we'll send the 2-year message ?

see http://ecapoeonthesea.free.fr for more, and to train your french ...

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