Hi Everyone,

Arriving in Paris, France a week ago, we have been enjoying a very nice wine country change in a place near Cognac, home or Chateau of Heinz and Elizabeth Oser. A flight to the coast thanks to Heinz’s private plane, we see our new yacht arrive in port at Les Sable D’Olonne on the Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay north of La Rochelle.

The picture postcard view from the air is a patchwork of sunflowers in full bloom, too many shades of green, villages everywhere. Absolutely beautiful. The coast is rugged, but we are soon over our port and this is what we are here for. As if on cue, the hull of our Beneteau Oceanis 50 arrives by truck, taking up the entire road and stopping traffic.

Village of Bourras -  Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Not for us to own until the 26th we return a few days later after they have commissioned her, ready for hand over. A little bigger this time, and yes a few more luxuries. Contrary to my thoughts and needs in the past we are now making life a little easier by having air conditioning, water maker, washing machine, microwave and yes a bow thruster (sounds sexy)installed.

Les Sables D’Olonne is home to the ‘Vendee Globe’, the singled handed non stop around the world race in Open 60,s and a constant reminder with all the posters every where. The weather is mild, not the heat and fires of the south or the rain in England.

Check out our web site www.treleaven.com.au ,and play with ‘goggle earth’ to view for yourself where we actually are and to ensure we are not telling any lies!

Our first sighting -  Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Plans for this year: Hopefully we will sail out of here sometime mid next week, following the French Coast to San Sebastian Spain. We are in no hurry and look forward to this rugged beautiful coast, full of seafood. From Spain to Portugal, Spain again and Seville, Gibraltar, Morocco and out to the Cannery Islands. The ARC Race across the Atlantic starts 25th November and joining us is Andrew Cochrane, David Lennie, Nick and Michelle Smail. All great friends now and hopefully after two weeks at sea we are still. Land fall is the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean.

Today the yacht is handed over, and the enormous job of provisioning, ensuring the safety equipment is satisfactory and, all that ‘I might need’ is on board, will slowly lower the waterline.

I hope there’s no omen in the name ‘Boo Boo Bar’ we are using for internet access.

Cheers

Andrea and Ian