Ok so we have moved - actually we have moved a couple of times - in one day! Not very far, mind you, still within the marina, but we have moved. We were fortunate enough to have had our lovely catamaran berthed alongside the 'professional pontoon' since we took possession of her on Saturday 10th May. We were allowed to be there because we were having work done on her by the 'professionals'; however that did not last long and somehow we got lost in the shuffle and no one seemed to care that we were still there. The advantages of being on this particular pontoon were the following:
1. Close to the chandlery for each little item needed, as well as ordered items being delivered
2. Reasonably close to shops, restaurants, laundromat, and Old Town
3. Although busy during the day, well-protected and quiet at night
The disadvantages were:
1. We always had at least one boat (sometimes two) moored alongside us, which meant people traipsing across our bow at all times of the day and night. Our immediate neighbours for most of the time were another Aussie couple from WA who seemed to have no end of shopping. They were friendly and very respectful, but it's never fun having people traipse across your boat!
2. The professional pontoon is located right beside the haul out area complete with large travelift engines. These began at 8am and went until 6pm with the usual 2hr lunch break, even on Saturdays! The noise factor was somewhat irritating, but like people who live under aircraft flight paths - you get used to it.
3. Because of the transient nature of the boats coming and going from the pontoon (as they completed their work), there was daily shuffling of boats at all times - we'd be trying to get some wires connected or in the middle of a meal and someone would come barreling into the pontoon and we would have to jump up to help them - very disruptive!
We did manage to get out for a short sail on one day when our neighbour also decided to take a short trip out of the harbour - imagine our dismay when we returned to our 'spot' to find a dinky little sailboat moored there. All the owners of the various vessels that surrounded our position came out to help get him moved and us back into position - our first 'docking' session was a success.
On Friday we were finally asked to leave the professional pontoon - the only problem was where to go? The Capitainerie (marina office) here do not seem to keep track of who is coming and going and simply tells you to find a spot and stay there! We knew that some other Aussies were planning to leave Friday morning and so we asked the boat they were moored to if they would mind holding the spot for us and we made our way over. This time we were the ones traipsing over the neighbour's deck!
Today we were told to find another place to berth our boat
- we were allocated the end of a pontoon but no sooner had we tied off our ropes but the 'owner' of the position came past and told us to get out! We did manage to find another spot nearby but had to check with the Capitainerie that it was okay for us to be there. The man on duty said we could stay there until morning but that we would have to move again tomorrow. We waited with bated breath until dark to see if the 'owners' of our new position would show up and shove us off again - they did not.
The preparation work continues but parts of the cockpit area are finally being cleaned up and cushions placed in their proper locations.
Tad and son Patrick have been working hard on connecting the solar panels - the work has involved long hours of tedious and fiddly work, but things are finally coming to a (hopefully) positive end result! We don't have much left to finish for our preparation work but it seems that our plans to leave in the next few days may be foiled by the weather!
Here's hoping that the next update will involve news of an imminent departure for Spain! All our Aussie colleagues and friends have now departed and we are keen to be on our way as well, but understand the importance of being 'ready' as well as having at least 48-72hrs of good weather ahead of us. Patience is a virtue I have yet to master…
1. Close to the chandlery for each little item needed, as well as ordered items being delivered
2. Reasonably close to shops, restaurants, laundromat, and Old Town
3. Although busy during the day, well-protected and quiet at night
The disadvantages were:
1. We always had at least one boat (sometimes two) moored alongside us, which meant people traipsing across our bow at all times of the day and night. Our immediate neighbours for most of the time were another Aussie couple from WA who seemed to have no end of shopping. They were friendly and very respectful, but it's never fun having people traipse across your boat!
2. The professional pontoon is located right beside the haul out area complete with large travelift engines. These began at 8am and went until 6pm with the usual 2hr lunch break, even on Saturdays! The noise factor was somewhat irritating, but like people who live under aircraft flight paths - you get used to it.
3. Because of the transient nature of the boats coming and going from the pontoon (as they completed their work), there was daily shuffling of boats at all times - we'd be trying to get some wires connected or in the middle of a meal and someone would come barreling into the pontoon and we would have to jump up to help them - very disruptive!
We did manage to get out for a short sail on one day when our neighbour also decided to take a short trip out of the harbour - imagine our dismay when we returned to our 'spot' to find a dinky little sailboat moored there. All the owners of the various vessels that surrounded our position came out to help get him moved and us back into position - our first 'docking' session was a success.
On Friday we were finally asked to leave the professional pontoon - the only problem was where to go? The Capitainerie (marina office) here do not seem to keep track of who is coming and going and simply tells you to find a spot and stay there! We knew that some other Aussies were planning to leave Friday morning and so we asked the boat they were moored to if they would mind holding the spot for us and we made our way over. This time we were the ones traipsing over the neighbour's deck!
Today we were told to find another place to berth our boat
- we were allocated the end of a pontoon but no sooner had we tied off our ropes but the 'owner' of the position came past and told us to get out! We did manage to find another spot nearby but had to check with the Capitainerie that it was okay for us to be there. The man on duty said we could stay there until morning but that we would have to move again tomorrow. We waited with bated breath until dark to see if the 'owners' of our new position would show up and shove us off again - they did not.
The preparation work continues but parts of the cockpit area are finally being cleaned up and cushions placed in their proper locations.
Here's hoping that the next update will involve news of an imminent departure for Spain! All our Aussie colleagues and friends have now departed and we are keen to be on our way as well, but understand the importance of being 'ready' as well as having at least 48-72hrs of good weather ahead of us. Patience is a virtue I have yet to master…
The solar panels are impressive - well done Tad and Patrick! Good to see you took the time needed to be well prepared for the adventure ahead. Safe travels!
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