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Lost in France (It’s a Heartache)

Updated: Nov 14, 2021


“Today was gonna be the day, we were gonna throw the ropes to you.”


OK, poetic licence, it was supposed to be Yesterday. Yesterday was supposed to be our test sail, with technical handover the day before. That was Plan A, but we have had so many plan variants, that we are now past Plan Z and onto Plan AA (for any Excel geeks).


The latest is that we can get on board on (Ruby) Tuesday and then Sail Away* on Wednesday, down to Barcelona. The wind should have dropped a little, so it won’t Rock the Boat.


Our safety equipment (life raft, life jacket etc.), our dinghy and our electric outboard motor are still incarcerated in the Bastille (aka a French Customs bonded warehouse). Ruari has been trying to resolve this with various courier companies. But he is a technician, with not much French language, FedEx (France) doesn’t accept the FedEx (International) shipping number, and there has been a lot of confusion over paying and reclaiming import / export duties.


It’s a Mythtery, and Ruari has definitely been left Hanging on the Telephone!


We still have no idea if Beneteau have sent the replacement batteries, that were not holding charge, but hopefully our forepeak mattress (which wasn’t ready in time to be fitted in the factory) is due to turn up on Monday. Hence the title of today’s blog.


On the plus side: the wind is beginning to drop a little; it’s 60km to the boat; we’ve got a full tank of gas, and half a bottle of rosé. It’s sunny and we’re definitely wearing sunglasses.

Hit it.


Alix

xx


*Orinoco Flow


[Update 19.07.2020 from Dickie66: Still no safety gear as it is still locked in customs. Ditto for the dinghy. Under cross examination, it turns out that Sunbird had asked SAS to order the Torqueedo. Sunbird hadn't ordered after all, so it never was stuck in customs at Charles de Gaulle! And SAS haven't ordered one!


To say I am angry with Sunbird right now is an understatement. And I have made sure they know it. They are allegedly struggling to source replacements, so we told them to try the internet. They miraculously have now found replacement dinghy and outboard, but they won't be delivered until Monday or Tuesday of next week. So we have instructed them to get them delivered to Barcelona and we will meet them there.


As for the safety gear, Ruari/SAS are putting together a replacement pack locally in Canet, but we are not sure when it will all be ready.


The good news is that our mattress has appeared!


So, the current plan is that SAS get the boat cleaned on tomorrow (Tuesday), we move on on Wednesday, and have the technical briefing by Pascal (Will has gone on holiday this week.) Sunbird/SAS are providing is with a free berth in the local marina, after we dropped a big hint. The berth on Pontoon A will have better facilities and will be nearer to the shops, where we will sit and await the arrival of safety gear. Two steps back, and one step forward!]





 
 
 

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