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The following is only a brief recap of our adventures from June 1st, 2010 to October, 31, 2010 when our lease on the St. Tropez apartment ran out and we (Ken, Eddie and I), after putting the boat up for the Winter, returned to the US (via a nice stop in Paris for my Birthday).
Grateful Red’s first Mediterranean adventure was experiencing losing it’s anchor in high wind conditions. With the bow crashing up and down, the anchor bounced off its fitting and the force ran all the anchor rode and chain out. Ron realized the boat was not going anywhere fast, called Ken who was below, and the three seamen tried in earnest to get the anchor back on the deck. Their best decision after failed attempts was to finally cut the rode and be free of the anchor. So, their entry into St. Tropez’s FULL (no slips available that day) marina was without an anchor. The harbor master said NO, you cannot dock here; I implored him to let the boat tie up for a short time while we ran to the chandlery to try to purchase a new line, chain and anchor. While we were there, our previously arranged local contact who had promised a berth, arrived and said he had a berth for the boat. So, without anchor yet, we tied up and drank heavily!
This story is the first of many. This blog is not meant to be a full journal, so I will not feature all the great stories, but try to recap the greatest events. The first was only to let you know that we truly are living an adventure!
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| Re-rigging the boat after the canals |
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| Backing into a tight spot |
Within a week, crew arrived for the Giraglia Rolex Cup held in June. Inshore & off-shore racing crew. Brad, Wendell, Paul Stroup, Dennis, Harry, Ken, & Mike Connor, Paula & Matt Neville.
Giragilia Rolex Cup
For the Off-shore, they sailed to Corsica, Around Giragilia Rock and on to San Remo, Italy. With Crew Change in San Remo, the Grateful Red set off to return to St. Tropez. Crew: Vicky, Ann Marie, Beth & Brian Donley, Matt, Ken and Paul.
Mediterranean Trophy Regatta
July 17th-24th Grateful Red raced from St. Tropez in the Mediterranean Trophy Cup. Crew. Molly, Gordy, Wendell, Matt, Matt Mullen and Ken. I rented a car and Eddie and I, met the boat in Corsica. This involved riding a car ferry their and back. Very interesting experience. After the race, Gordy, Ken, Molly, Eddie and I explored some of Corsica’s finest hiking areas.
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| Cachou and crew sharing their dinner with GR crew |
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| The wigs HAVE to come out! |
Copa Del Rey Regatta
Jack, Cissy, Ken & Matt were the crew to sail Grateful Red from Ajacio Corsica to Las Palmas, Majorca Spain. Eddie and I returned to St. Tropez via Car ferry. I would then take Eddie to a Pension (doggie Hotel) where he would stay for 15 days while I traveled to meet the boat and crew for the Copa del Rey Regatta in Las Palmas. Boat having already arrived, Ken and I stayed the first night in Hotel Mirador and then the next day moved into our apartment that we had for the week of the regatta. Crew for Copa del Rey was Jack & Cissy Yoes, Susan Sylvester, Matt N, Matt M. Nora, Scott, Charlie and Niki (arriving on the last day).
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| Charlie testing the boom |
After the last regatta, remaining crew of the two Matt’s, Nora, Scott, Charlie, Niki, Ken, Kristine, and adding Bridgette and Mark, we sailed from Palma across to Barcelona where we left the young crew to return home. Ken, myself, Bridgette and Mark then sailed the boat along the Spanish coast, across the Golfe de Lion and on to St. Tropez. It was a lovely 36 hour cruise plus one anchor overnight in the Porchorelles. Home Thursday, August 12th, picked up a rental in the afternoon, and prepared for Ken to fly home to US Friday AM. After dropping Ken off, I drove to the Pension to pick up Eddie. He stayed there 15 days, but seemed to remember the favorite hand that fed him! Eddie and I were to live on the boat, nestled at Monoco Marine until Ken returned home. The month of August, we “sub-let” our rented apartment since we were gone so long and the renter was still there. Ken would be gone for 18 days and during that time, I oversaw repairs for the boat, refinished the companionway, had dinners with several French friends who took great care of me and generally, relaxed.
The month of September was planned to be quiet for Ken and I, and basically it was. We spent several days sailing in the Golfe de St. Tropez doing sea trials with some of the instruments we had updated. Ken brought back some frozen rock hard beef rib roast and we offered to share with our great friends Guy and Renee. They had a grill, we had the meat. They invited several other friends and we had a grand time on their patio with the American beef, French conversation and good sailing stories!
Voiles de St. Tropez
Crew started to arrive September 23rd for the last regatta. Teri, George, Jeroen, Leneke, Clarissa completed our crew for this last regatta. Amazing sight with old and new sailing vessels. We had a wonderful week with countless stories to tell another time.
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| Eddie enjoying a night out! |
Last sail to Port Napoleon. Jack, Steve & Ken. Eddie and I took the rental car to meet them there. During their 3 day sail, I cleaned up the packed and cleaned up the apartment. It was a wonderful season with entirely too many stories to tell on this blog!
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| Last night on the boat |
