Plugged, or...?

[Guest]

I believe that jfm is going on a massive (30m +) boat sometime soon, the sort that some others simply gawp at from the pontoon. Some of us (2) are already post-gawp. We're expecting a full report, or a call on ch16 from 15th july+ for 2 weeks or last week end aug env Antibes. I imagine that an emergency rescue will be needed to avoid nightmare tipping scenario.

Or is it now handily in the Balearix, hence rather indecently sudden charter of respectably massive 20m powerboat thereabouts hmm?

 

[jfm]

Itinerary

It's all kinda happenin...

Trip on u/p fully promised by Mr client, who has already been out with me on ickle phantom 42, made jokes about how come the "T/T" decals seem to have dropped off just above the name etc. But alas no date fixed yet for Antibes, too busy. Will most certainly file report when happens. If July 15 onwards will vhf Diana of Capecod

Charter of s55 booked as vacance I think second week of August for 8 days, just for a larf really. They offered it bareboat and I couldn't resist and kids very excited about jetbike on back etc. Axshully main benefit of bareboat is escape paying mega gratuity, cept to myself, "Here jfm you done a damn fine job drivin this baby, award yerself a bonus mate"

And funnily enuf I've been in France this week but working so not seen much, in London today, and back to Cannes tomorrow so plan to stay Sat and stroll up and down some nice pontoons in Antibes and LaNap or wherever and have a gawp at humungous craft. Will file report on return

As you can see spending as much time as poss outside country, practice for when no driving licence come September/October.

JFM

 

[Guest]

Re: Itinerary

Would either you or Matty baby like to step up and come on my Birchwood TS33? Alternatively could we come and keep the Birchwood in the toys garage in the transom of your chartered ship? I would be very modest about my tipping charges and not even require you to say "Nick you've done an !!!***ing good job conning this boat". And the Birchwood signs have already dropped off (about 1995 I think) so no worries for your client. And of course the weather is such a pleasure at the moment on the Clyde - its only a drizzly force 5.

Yours in anticipation

Nick

 

[Guest]

Re: cannes this w/e

we'll be around, anchor sat cannes bay sometime on ch16 m 07808 715 912 lunch @ grayd'albion, Croisette. We're the scruffy ones on the table footie.

 

[jfm]

People in Grasse houses cant throw stones (to sea)

Drat didn't see your message till now. Would have tracked yer down otherwise. Not sure where grayd'albion is on Croisette, we were in Carlton, t'other end maybe? Anyway Cannes was very fab and sunny. Were you in the bay Saturday? We were alternately swimming/frying on the beach Sat pm outside the hotel. There were several boats in the bay (incl, humungous navy hull 50m job, you saw no doubt) but I didn't look too hard at others, me a bit gin soaked eyesight fuzzy and many distractions in my closer field of view)

Purpose of trip was for mrs jfm to look at realty. We drove round a bit and decided places like Grasse/Mougins a bit far from sea (despite brochures saying "sea view" for Grasse houses) and also St Trop a bit far West (too long drive airport). Anyway, we had to go visit to appreciate these facts, so useful trip, narrows things down a bit. Also I checked out a few marinas, seems you can get space if buy a boat from them

Went to LaNap on saturday evening. Tres bien. Fed handsomely by place opposite E pontoon ("Bistrot de summat"). Only after being told "non, pas possible" by place with flame torches up steps (Boucherie II or something), on grounds me too scruffy. Also on the pontoon right opp the chandler (which strangely was open at 11.15pm) there was a s55 tied up next to a p42 (or 40) which allowed mrs jfm to go "eek... you rented THAT, look at size!! how can you drive it eek!!"

Also checked out marinas at Golf J, antibes (both yum), both ends of Cannes, and that one 1/2 way between nice airport and Antibes with big semicircle apartments blocks, yuk.

Freebie mag in hotel had feature on Leopard 24 hardtop. Tres bien aussi. But you were right about speccing the dash, it needs work, too many useless bits of kit like weather fax spewing paper print out in the very position the massive plotter screen should be. It's the same boat (presum #1, registered in Luxembourg) featured in Yacht magazine.

Anyway, most pleasant trip, thanks also to Stelios

JFM

 

[Guest]

Re: Nice houses

Ooh. We have a friend in Draguignan, and another Mougins: agreed that drag to coast takes a long time except in winter, and kids just want to get in car and go to beach or boat, or someone elses boat. Snappiest place on Croisette is no 77, where top fl is 4million quid. Antibes seems nice town, but Nice praps best for proper townies. Lots and lots of cheaper places are for sale for ages only 2 beds "see if we like it" but can't sell to trade up as in UK. The very bestest place is of course in a boat, where instead of getting a nice view..you ARE the view. 600k buys nice steel trudge job, good for anchoring anywhere, aircon, and space for quick jetribs etc.

A so-called mate called from Cannes bay on Friday to gloat, so to stuff him I got plane plane biggin-cannes for weekend trip down, and pilot wingwaved him on the way in. Went St trop for sat, sunday to Cannes eventually for Sunday, and the place next door. We always go to western end (I was wrong, it was Plage Royal, the next door westernmost beach rest. is as named) for proximity to Macdo's for kids expedition while we are on the beach, then bosh back to la nap at 3, plane from Cannes at 4, barbq in london at 6.30. He still can't quite believe that I went. Tee hee.

 

[jfm]

Re: Nice ski lodges

Hmmm yes saw lots nice apartments but mrs jfm wants bit of garden plus pool so has to be house, therefore not actually on Croisette (possibly not even blimmin close). Discovered a bonus today when est agent pointed out that only 1 hour drive from ski resorts (which I need to check) so mrs jfm now wants one wiv garage and she says she will leave her 4x4 pedestrian-crusher there and get a skoda here in UK and then she can daily commute ski in winter = extra value, er allegedly, ouch

Actually we liked Antibes a lot, old town very charming if you don't mind hills. Marina was nice, cooling breeze from choppers landing on aft deck of 80m yachts was most refreshing if you didn't mind the noise.

Like your travel policy. Obviously an important business pre-charter check-over!

JFM

 

[Guest]

Re: isola 2000

Yes the bods down there say isola 2000 skiing isn't far away, though have to be tres arriere pays to be 1 hour. Prob 90 mins.

Wd say best option to rent for a month first (as a weekend isn't even long enuf to read all the house mags, let alone visitem) also depends how happy one is to be miles from habitation, also remember cash v interesting for high stamp duty country (the Notaire leaves the room for a minute while this is handed over). Proper riviera starts at Nice with high mountain backdrop, so Villefranche a possible, all grandes affaires.