BLUEMOMENT

How very different France can be.

The coast to the east busy on land quite at sea with calms and an oily sea.While to the West of Marseilles a constent breeze a light chop.

I went along to Francois cafè,she put an open bottle of local wine on the table a jug of cold water then brought a large salad & a plate of cold ham she cures herself. The ham smoked in vine,oak&local herbs is delicious,as is her bread.

It was 11am i left for the port.An iron grey sky keeping the still hot sun at bay.I walked along the beach.Id met a woman the evening before that comes to feed the stray cats stray she said,becouse people want kittens not cats,and others that take a cat then leave.

She had said she worried about the cats during winter “but its only cold at nightâ€Â

Bonjour Monsieur Trouville
Do you speak of Agathe perhaps or Sabine? I know of these two ladies that they are great lovers of cats.
But I have read your mail again and you have said you are to the west of Marseilles? I am thinking of the ladies of Binic - permit me to ask of her name this lady who has a place in your heart?

The lady that feeds the cats has a name begining with "s"but im not sure what it is,its not "sabin"

Shes somone that goes out every evening to feed and brush(when she can) some of the wild cats;

The Girl that has "taken me under her wing" has such an unusual name begining with another leter it wouldent be fair of me to give it,as she works for the Marie and could be identified with ease?

There arnt to many ports this side ill say im going to cap de agda tomorrow WX permitting!!Its raining quite hard just now and no wind

I hope for a gentle breez if it blows this area is so flat it can be very bad.I have a fear of the winds in this region a reson why ive just passed by in other years!!!

Great fun being a mid shipman hard work but im not sure about an able seaman??I wonder how many post that lasts for???

Just popped over from my usual haunt on YBW having heard that "trouville" has suddenly started posting on your site.

Be aware that this chap is a fantasist and is probably sitting in a garret in somewhere like Basingstoke as I write. He annoyed our forums for a while until getting sussed and flamed. Now you've got him!

From his most recent post this afternoon: "Its raining quite hard just now"

There has been no rain whatsoever in Marseilles today. Sunny intervals, temps in the high seventies, low eighties.

You can either be amused by his fantasy posts or flame him off. I'm back to YBW where we're better off without him.

JackJ wrote:JHe annoyed our forums for a while until getting sussed and flamed.

I got the impression that most people there thought his posts very funny. I certainly did. But was the "getting sussed and flamed" about?

[quote="JackJ"Be aware that this chap is a fantasist and is probably sitting in a garret in somewhere like Basingstoke as I write. "

does it really matter ? is it really worth your while to come all the way up hear to tell us that ?

" I'm back to YBW where we're better off without him.[/quote]

thanks and good bye

( gosh, i can`t believe i wrote that.)

Welcome back, Steve. Your fame (notoriety?) has gone before you! So it goes. But you did burn a few bridges quite effectively when you left YBW!

Did you ever find a new minder for your Folkboat? Either way, pleased to hear from you again & good luck. Steve Kean (aka Searush)

I just posted a long reply using my Pda standing outside in the sun(its a bit hazy today still warm)Then first i touched the "tab" key post vanished next a slip of the toothpick used to type & gone a second time !!I called it a "prat" & showed it the bin,

Only showed as its still far to useful,i will have to re-practice useing it in the weeks to come?

Now im inside i bought a large coffee and hamburger!!??My X40 in fear no doubt ?started up at once!!

First i dont care if im in Glasgow or Montellier???As it happens the cost of living is possiable for me hear & the climate & local wine makes even those days when starvations near a pleasure??

Yesterday we had rain!!Today theres sun and hazy cloud.I havnt been to Marseilles yet this year(nor last) but im certain id rather be hear in the rain than there in the sun,what a luck for me!!!

There always were a few that seemed to hate the thought that its possible to live aboard a small boat while facing a daily economic challenge.

Thanks "salty John" i still curse my sinking last year i always try to add a bit more to try to be perfect then all is gone!This year once again i had rain almost every day untill Avignon,i wonder the Burgundy dosent grow rice!!

And Steve i thought you were so disappointed when i called Brendon a "prat" id never hear from you again?

I dont think the description was that bad,it was more that he kept saying he never posted things he posted even the day before & i said he did he said i dident i said he did--- etc

I added my "description to each reply,while he varied his unpleasantness.When i posted??It was all a bit vauge id just been told my secure comfortable position was over,the future from sure to unknown,

It was a stress full time not helped by the content rain that began just after going aboard.There was no internet anymore i was cast out in a void.

It took time to understand,by the second week i was relaxed & enjoyed myself.I asked if i could pick grapes?But the farmers at the co-op pointed to large machines that now do the work.

Thanks for the post that lead me to look for a new bike!That came at the best time it could have,i got the bike & its proved invaluable.Its brought me hear to "place comady" in Montpellier today!

Life is wonderful hear today now.That can change as there is a shortage of places.I almost fell over with shock when i was told we will??Visit Setè after Cap d agda!!!

I met a girl there in Setè who thinks im still in Burgundy!!And its her office thats to provide the local fare to be tried!If the two woman meet my future is bleak?Thats why im hear and not at sea now!Well leave this evening.

As the first part of the weekend is trying "ricard" at 9.00am then oysters & white wine at 11.00am i hope we dont get to Setè!!The one worry is that "she"now can sail!!She cast off our lines she sculled out of port and she took the helm.I just did as i was told!!She also moved my wine supply to a safe locker in the capitanerie

The local woman are wonderful they know everyone i hope that will remain an advantage

Thanks for your kind comments,the first 18 is well finished and is Daves boat,he wants to buy mine etc so well see today now life in Montpellier is wonderful the woman are numerous & wonderful!Tomorrow? Thats another day another adventure

Just to help with ambiance, playthisin the background, or a little window, while you read the posts.
HTH

BTW, how long is your sculling oar? I was wondering about getting one but couldn't decide how long it needed to be. I sometimes use a paddle for short journeys where it would be too noisy to fire up the O/B but a sculling oar would be much easier.

Wot! No spinnaker?