Letter from the Med- Launching of Finisterre

by Ian and Andrea Treleaven on 6 Aug 2007 Hi Everyone,

Finisterre is the name for our new yacht and home for the next 10 months.

Today with our only guest Rob Landis present we had the pouring of the champagne. Cape Finisterre is the name of the first cape we round after leaving the Gulf of Biscay. It is the most western point of Europe and has the meaning ‘Lands End’.

Still in Les Sables D’Olonne we plan to leave Monday for La Rochelle. Three stubbed toes, a bruised head and losing an expensive pair of reading glasses over the side we are slowly getting used to living on board once again.

One would assume that buying a new yacht everything would be spot on, but no, and at times it has been a frustrating trial and error exercise. We certainly are a mass of wires behind the cupboards, with all the electronics and gadgets on board. Before we leave we must make sure everything is working as down the coast we are 'out of sight out of mind'.

A test sail the other day proved interesting when we had to be rescued. The starter motor caught on fire and then we where going no where. Apart from that major, we are very happy with how she handled and she is a beautiful yacht.

‘Lagoon’ catamarans are the flavour of the month as we are surrounded by them, out numbering monohulls ten to one. Beneteau, Lagoon and Jeanneau all have there factories near here and everyday new ones arrive. We where asked 'when does our other half arrive'?

Ian continues to embarrass me with his little quotes. 'Now I know why Hitler invaded France in August at midday'. Holiday season and siesta time is mid day and no one is around for hours. Workman leave and it’s a lucky day if they return. Work that takes a week in Australia takes two in France.

La Sable D’Olonne is a fishing village and holiday destination for people from Paris coming to the beautiful beaches. Can’t say we have enjoyed it that much as we are directing traffic at the yacht. If you leave the yacht while the workmen are on board they disappear too.

Our first guest for a few days is Rob Landis from Sydney, here helping others with their new boats. Extra hands are always welcome for Ian. Between the two of them they are screwing and drilling there hearts out.

Our first sail on our own to La Rochelle on Monday is 35nms south and should take us 4 hours in the favourable NW winds blowing at the moment.

Our visit there is to complete the final work which they forgot to do here of fitting a masthead spinnaker halyard that Ian insists on having for our Trans Atlantic crossing.

Summer has finally arrived in France and today we are appreciating some of our new extras on board, namely the air conditioning

Cheers

Ian and Andrea Treleaven