Living on a yacht is like caravaning I guess but it’s just on water. The Garcia is 45′ long and 4.5m wide. It has a galley (kitchen), dining table with bench chairs (saloon), navigation desk with screens like the dash of your car, two bedrooms (cabins) and two showers and toilets (heads). Philip has a tool room (man cave) and I have a washing machine which is ‘her cave’! We have central heating which is fueled by diesel. The galley is equipped with gas stove and oven, double sink, two drawer refrigerator, single drawer deep freeze and microwave. On a pontoon we use shore power with an electrical cable running to a electrical box on the pontoon between each yacht. While sailing, we use diesel, solar power and wind generator. The fuel tanks hold 745 litres of diesel which means we could motor for 6 days none stop if we needed to. Sailing is free so it is worth waiting for good winds and good weather to make the journey pleasant. Outside in the cockpit we have two helms. We prefer this style as it gives clear access to the transom on the stern where we can lower our small boat, get on easily and go ashore if we are anchored in a bay. We have full bimini and dodger covers across the open cockpit for sun and wind protection. An adjustable open table and bench seats in the cockpit is another dining area to enjoy the scenery, peace and tranquility at any time of day.
The French like garden snails, frog legs and sea snails called whelks and cockles. These shells wash up on our local beach on Curtis Island but we have never thought of eating them. Their flat peaches are also deliciously sweeter.
In Cherbourg, the sun sets at 2230 and it’s not dark till 2300. Having a few wines from 1900 to 2200 with friends and neighbours seems to be in order so eating at 2330 is now becoming the normal routine.
Our first neighbours Yury and Yulia where from Moscow, Russia. Their two children, Mozbena and Konstanstantin where an absolute delight. Aged about 8 and 13 they were enjoying the adventure of sailing towards the Mediterranean for their 3 month summer holiday. On board they had their Ukrainian agent, Sasha who assisted them on the first part of their journey. Fantastic stories were told. How interesting to learn about life in Russia. Many laughs between interpretations and helping each other while practicing entering and exiting our pontoon. It was really sad to see them go although given us a contact whenever we visit Russia. We wish them fair winds and safe travels!
Yulia (wife), Sasha (Agent), Yury (husband) and Philip
Nasdarovje!!!!!!
A gift we will always treasure … A Russian Doll with 7 dolls inside!
