Tuesday 19th July 2016
This is the day we are setting off from Fiumicino, direction Corsica. We planned to get away early but Othello, our upholster, was late in delivering and making the last adjustments to the cover of the bimini, so we left around 11am. Hopefully we should be there in 30 hours.
We are about to leave our favourite boat yard and it is going to be hard to go. Everyone has been so nice and helpful over the last few weeks and without the team here we would not have been ready in time.
Special thanks to Emiliano for all his supporting comments and sound advice (liked the fact that he referred to wind steering gear as a “he”, that tickled me). Francesca for her cheery assistance. Ram for keeping an eye on us after dark and not minding that we used the shower straight after he cleaned it! As for Giuliana, who took us shopping today, so we had a full larder for our onward voyage, that was so very kind. Not forgetting all the guys who have done work on the boat…we never got introduced properly… grazzie mille and Ciao folks.
Heading to Corsica…
Wednesday 6th July
Finally, after a week of frantic preparations, we sailed out of the river to the open sea. Slow start in the morning, we are waiting for the upholsterer to deliver the last missing cushions….just as well really, Lili arrived last night and we want to go through all the safety briefing before we set off. Weather is beautiful, Lili is in her swimsuit and off we went northward in very little wind. Getting back to sea is a joy, the lack of wind at the start makes it easier to set all the sails before it pipes up late morning as it usually does. We are aiming for Riva Traiano, 28 miles from Fumicino. Managed to get 5.7 knots in 12 knots of wind! Lili is extremely good helm. We got there in about 7 hours which gave us plenty time to explore the marina and have a leisurely dinner on board.
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Lili is on her way this evening and I think we are ready for a sail. Ship is looking good. We have spent the last few days testing all the systems and hopefully we should be able to go tomorrow. We have been looking at the chart and there are a few island north which we would be able to reach in a day’s sail. Depending on the wind.
Looking forward to be on the water and having a good time with L.
Arrived finally. We both need a bit of R&R after the last month, sunshine and downtime is helping. But we are still managing to tidy and sort the boat out between snoozettes. So we have fitted most of the security/safety stuff, and I have been busy with sewing new covers for the cockpit cushions… By hand would you believe… quite pleased with the outcome, sewing was never my strong point.
I am also dabbling, somewhat unsuccessfully so far, with fitting mosquito nets on all the hatches. I will need to persever. Trying to make a home… Filled the (limited) space with cushions much to Ian’s distress!
What a week! We should have been flying to Rome to live on the boat last Tuesday… all set and ready to go… unfortunately, Ian’s dad passed away on Friday 17th June. We are still in shock despite his health having deteriorated for the last few months. Very sad time and he will be greatly missed.
Barbara (Ian’s mum) is coping exceptionally well and is insistent that we carry on as soon as possible with our plans… we have to vacate the house today as the new tenants are moving in tomorrow so we will be staying with her for a few days before and after the funeral and then be on our way next Wednesday.
It is all very emotional, leaving the house, friends and family, London, Alan leaving us, and all the uncertainties of the new life waiting for us. A bit of Italian sunshine will definitely help with the healing process.
Looking forward to introducing Mr X to Lili. Hopefully it will be love at first sight!
An appropriate amount of prosecco should help with the romance!
Yep, these are pink fins and (surprise, surprise) they are mine… They will scare the fishes off according to Ian!
I rather think that they will attract them! Those fishes in the Caribbean have taste!
Looking for the matching mask and snorkel…
Sailing the world, sounds good doesn’t it?!
Love the concept and I am really very excited about the months/years ahead, however the practical side of making it happen is daunting. We have spent the last few months frantically preparing for the off, packing up, getting the house ready for renting (my department) whilst Ian has mainly spent his time shopping and organising the boat stuff. A bit of a role reversal in our household, shopping is my thing, but boat bits do not inspire me as much as shoes !
The date is now fixed, we will be leaving London to live on board Mr X on Tuesday 21st June.
