View our progress on Google Earth at: http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe

GPS Position: 45:56.6N 000:57.4W

It is many weeks since we returned from the Caribbean.  Ryan and I have resumed our roles as Oboe's slaves and have spent many a day meticulously inspecting "fair wear and tear" and some not so fair "wear and tear", either fixing or replacing worn out bits or listing them in the "discuss with the factory" book, which begins to look like the specification for a complete refit!  In between, we have been lucky enough to day sail with friends, family and some delightful paying guests - the Tom Webster gang.

The low point perhaps.  Oboe (and Ryan) spent two weeks ignominiously propped up in Galmpton's disused quarry, now a boat yard and a rather depressing place.  It's saving grace was the bird life comprising various hawks, buzzards and owls and of course the inevitable terns and gulls.  Oboe's bottom needed scrubbing and painting, her top sides needed polishing and buffing and the yard had a hoist big enough to haul her out of the water, so that was that.  Scaffolding was erected around her to provide work platforms and over a period of two weeks and numerous dashes to the hire shop and chandlery she emerged anew from a layer of grime, shining and smiling!

Ready then for one last charter cruise before winter, we were joined by Judith and Ron Berry last week for a gourmet cruise down the West Coast of France.  As we headed out of the Dart and raised full sail, Oboe was once again doing what she was built for - sailing and she looked very fine.  We settled down to a 24 hour overnight sail, which for Judith in particular was a new experience, as she had never sailed before.  She took to it easily. The weather was kind and with autopilot set for L'Aber Wrac'h in Northern Brittany we enjoyed a meal around the saloon table and moved into nightwatch mode.

Each day brought with it the delights of France - challenging coastal cruising through tidal races such as the Chenal du Four and the Raz de Seine, coupled with evenings spent in harbour devouring soupe de poisson, langoustine, oysters and the full gamut of shellfish, washed down by carafes of local white wines.  Yummy ...  After L'Aber Wrac'h we visited Camaret, Concarneau, Pornichet, Bourgenay and our resting place, Rochefort, with its massive maritime history dating back to Louis XIV, 15kms inland on the River Charente.  Here you find us behind the lock gates and swing bridge of the old harbour, crammed 3 abreast with largely French and Brit yachts laying up here for the winter.  Invitations to join for evening drinks abound and Ryan and I even set foot on a large motor yacht and sink into soft white leather sofas in the highly polished, air-conditioned saloon - well beer was on offer! 

I have had to persevere with my laughingly broken French, bringing smiles to the faces of the locals, whose English is just as bad as my French.  However, I have no problem ordering food in the various restaurants that surround us - I can eat in any language!  Both Ryan and I have put on weight! We need to get out of here!

Oboe is in for more treats next month, as one of the reasons for cruising down here is to visit La Rochelle, Oboe's birthplace or strictly speaking the factory where she was moulded two years ago!  Over the winter she will have her warranty refit and emerge as new.  Out of the water again in October, she will have her stern opened up to provide access to the running gear for essential repairs beyond Ryan's and my capability.

Tomorrow flights home, diets begin and the days will be counted till we return in October to work with the factory technicians.  Office work beckons - next year's cruising calendar to be designed, www.oboecharters.com to be updated and clients to be contacted.

One early piece of news is that a second brand new Dufour 485, a sister ship to Oboe will join the Oboe Charters fleet.  She is named Decadance and owned by friends Chris and Jeanna, who will host Oboe Charter’s guests in the Caribbean this winter and in places further afield thereafter!  So, you have a choice - Wine Cruises in France, Guinness and Oyster Cruises in Ireland and the Whisky Trails of Scotland on Oboe or Caribbean Rum Punches on Decadance - or perhaps both!

Fair winds to all ...

Nigel

Date: 10 September 2010