Getting cold feet ....

[Plomong]

... frozen, really.

For some time now I've been planning, and preparing for, a trip from Bilbao up the French coast and then across to Ireland via SW England and SW Wales. Start date this week or next.

Originally my brother would have been crew on the three long passages between Brest and SE Ireland, but his health has deteriorated to the point where he cannot safely take part.

And now the thought of doing those three passages single-handed is giving me the eebie-jeebies !!!

This is funny because the 2-day trip from Bilbao to La Rochelle doesn't bother me. Must be that having done it before, albeit accompanied, makes it seem easier ??

To make matters worse, the Viking liferaft I ordered from the French chandlery company ADN (in Bilbao) has not arrived, and they are trying to get me to accept a Duarry liferaft instead. Tomorrow morning I'll contact Viking in Madrid to see if the story I'm being fed about supply restrictions is true, or just an attempt to pawn off a unit from a Barcelona manufacturer.

Not a happy bunny tonight.

Plomong

 

[Babylon]

Give your feet time to warm up

Sorry to hear your woes.

Re crew for each of the longer crossing elements of your overall cruise, why not advertise on here for people to crew for each of your longer legs, or go to the Cruising Association website and see their Crewing Service section?

Re liferaft, wait till you hear from Madrid, and/or contact Viking in the UK for more info?

Good luck.

 

[r_h]

It's only natural and healthy to feel that way before a big trip, especially when plans have to change at the last minute.

I'm not sure why you need three long passages between Brest and SE Ireland. If you continue round the corner to l'Aberwrach, Plymouth is a 90-mile sail IIRC, so doesn't need to be an overnight trip if you wait for a free wind.

By the time you reach the Scillies, I'm sure the final leg to Ireland will seem much less daunting.

 

[robertj]

Plomong

what dates do you wish to start finish etc? If the dates are ok and you need a hand I might be free.

Bob

 

[Plomong]

... why not advertise on here for people to crew for each of your longer legs ...

Had thought of that, but am unsure of the departure date from Brest, as that will depend on the arrival date which is weather-dependent. This indefinition would, I think, make it very difficult to pre-agree a crewing arrangement???

Anyway, my objective is to be in SE Ireland not later than 1 July. The Tall Ships Races start there this year, with a family wedding shortly after on 7 July. If necessary, due to weather or other causes, I would be prepared to leave the boat in Brest and fly over to Ireland, returning some time after the wedding on 7 July. But I would much prefer to sail all the way !!!

Re liferaft, wait till you hear from Madrid, and/or contact Viking in the UK for more info?

Was in touch this morning with Viking in Madrid, and their operations centre which is in Galicia. Result: only 4-man valise RescYou raft available immediately was manufactured in 2007, never used, still on the shelf. New units would take several weeks from factory in ???

They have promised to revise the raft thoroughly, replace the auxiliary pack, and if necessary, adjust or modify any fittings that may have changed design in the intervening years.

Downside?? It is already 4 years old, and will not be available until next Tuesday, making overall "liferaft delay" more than 3 weeks !!! That's the "mañana" effect for you !!!!

Anyway, I have accepted this unit despite the age. Am I an idiot ???

Departure Bilbao will now be next Wednesday, or as soon thereafter as possible, depending on the weather.

Plomong

 

[Plomong]

It's only natural and healthy to feel that way before a big trip, especially when plans have to change at the last minute.

I'm not sure why you need three long passages between Brest and SE Ireland. If you continue round the corner to l'Aberwrach, Plymouth is a 90-mile sail IIRC, so doesn't need to be an overnight trip if you wait for a free wind.

By the time you reach the Scillies, I'm sure the final leg to Ireland will seem much less daunting.

Thanks, "r h" for your encouraging words. I realise all you say is probably very true.

Today I started the serious business of "loading": First food, etc. and other essential items that are peculiar to this part of the world.

Plomong

 

[Plomong]

Plomong

what dates do you wish to start finish etc? If the dates are ok and you need a hand I might be free.

Bob

My objective is to be in SE Ireland not later than 1 July. The Tall Ships Races start there this year, with a family wedding shortly after on 7 July. If necessary, due to weather or other causes, I would be prepared to leave the boat in Brest and fly over to Ireland, returning some time after the wedding on 7 July. But I would much prefer to sail all the way !!!

However, there is a catch -- I am unsure of the departure date from Brest, as that will depend on the arrival date, which is weather-dependent. Departure from Bilbao will now be next Wednesday, or as soon thereafter as possible, depending on the weather, so I should be in Brest around 16 - 19 June, with departure from there northwards immediately following.

Would a trip Brest to Newlyn around that time be of interest to you, or were you considering the possibility of also continueing to Dunmore East ??? Maybe if you could PM me your email address we could continue this "conversation" more directly ???

Plomong

 

[Babylon]

Was in touch this morning with Viking in Madrid, and their operations centre which is in Galicia. Result: only 4-man valise RescYou raft available immediately was manufactured in 2007, never used, still on the shelf. New units would take several weeks from factory in ???

They have promised to revise the raft thoroughly, replace the auxiliary pack, and if necessary, adjust or modify any fittings that may have changed design in the intervening years.

Downside?? It is already 4 years old, and will not be available until next Tuesday, making overall "liferaft delay" more than 3 weeks !!! That's the "mañana" effect for you !!!!

Anyway, I have accepted this unit despite the age. Am I an idiot ???

I can't advise another man what to do as regards a liferaft for offshore work, however my own Viking 4-man cannister RescYou is twice that age and - contrary to (commercial) requirements to have the thing expensively serviced every year due to its age (later units have a different ISO and a longer period between servicing), I'm pretty confident that its up to the job (had it serviced last Spring for the first time in 3 years).

Its 'peace-of-mind territory of course, but you have to ask yourself, if you had a brand new liferaft, whether your concerns about the trip would be any different? ie the liferaft shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

I get the sense that you're pressing ahead in some form or another, so wishing you good luck with progressing matters and making good passages.

 

[Plomong]

I get the sense that you're pressing ahead in some form or another, so wishing you good luck with progressing matters and making good passages.

Yes, departure next Wednesday morning, or a soon after as weather permits. Will only be able to monitor these fora when wifi available in ports along the French coast.

Plomong