Finally the new motor for the Auto Pilot Drive was installed and also the new wind instrument, as well as a new compressor for the Freezer. Cost was about EUR 3.200. All works well except the Auto (still need a new AC42 - computer), but I managed to set out very early morning from Porto Colom and headed for Proquerolle in S France.
It is a long trip. Fortunately Auto desided to work most of the way, so I managed better this time. The last Nm was performed without much wind and in very thick fog. It was so thick, that at times I could not see the top of the mast. Thanks to the Radar and an excellent Plotter with the latest C-Map, was I able to arrive OK, even though I met a Cat which passed in front of me with only 30 m to spare. I had the fog horn blasting and it is silly of the skipper not to respect it when they could hear I was so near and I had priority.
I arrived as dark fell and managed to drop anchor close to the Porquerolle island, which I know well, but I could see nothing and I was only about 75 m from the marina. An hour later I could just see three of the marina's lights. What a soup to sail in. Well, all went well and I had a good Rum Punch and a meal, before I hid the pillow.
This is Isle Levent, which is partly run by the French Marine. This photo shows one of their less impressive ships.
As I approach the Golfe de St Tropez, these kind of fast going yachts becomes more apparent.
Full moon over St Tropez and our billion dollars view.
Finally at anchor outside our Beauvallon Beach, here with Port Grimaud in the background. Chris, Nataly and Stephane arrived on the Sunday, as I received a Gale, so I had to move close to the Cogolin beach (SW side of the Golfe) for two days, before I met up with them.
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