Saturday 20 December 2008

Off to Davos in Switzerland

 

December 20, 2008 - Davos Dorf, Switzerland

After training it was off to find our new home for the winter. The beautiful Tivoli Lodge. Right on the slope, very new chalet with all the satellite, and wifi we could need. Also a wonderful pool to enjoy ( and fix ).

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Chalet Tivoli

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Chalet Tivoli

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View from Chalet Tivoli

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Lucy, Ali, Helena and Diane. Chalet Tivoli staff

First order of the day was to meet the new team. Helena , Ali, Lucy and Ayshea.

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Aysha, Lucy and Alex. Chalet Tivoli staff

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Lucy, Helena, Alex, Christmas 08

Then Christmas seemed to turn up pretty fast.

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Lucy and Ayshea, chalet TIvoli staff

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Ali and his beloved snow thrower

It kept snowing and Ali kept clearing it away.

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The ski touring group Davos '09

We managed plenty of skiing on our days off, and especially memorable day was taken with Tony ski touring. Basically walking up mountains and skiing off-Piste down them. Pretty knackering for us unfit people. But great views.

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Off piste skiing in Davos

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Off piste skiing in Davos

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Phil Smith tromping up

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Near the end now Di

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Off piste skiing in Davos

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Off piste skiing in Davos

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Off piste skiing in Davos

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Barney at the top of the world

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Di skiing Davos

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Di's new helmet

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Getting arty

Monday 15 December 2008

Off to the Alps for the winter

 

December 15, 2008 - Moutiers, France

Well it was off to France for our 2nd season with Descent. We started with a training course in a hotel in Brides-le-Bains near Moutier in France. Diane did a sterling job of organizing the hotel and the logistics of the training, with plenty of spread sheets of course. Barney fixed a few things, and learnt how to set fire to stuff. Mainly some tissue hot air balloons on the last night.

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Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

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Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

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Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

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Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

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Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

Saturday 1 November 2008

Quick trip to UK

 

November 1, 2008 - Bristol, United Kingdom

After Sea Gal was put to bed we headed back to the UK for a week to catch up with family and friends just in time for bonfire night.

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Fireworks November '08

Barney also had time to see his beautiful Niece and Nephew

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Josie, Barney and Rory Autumn '08

It was also Granny Mary Taylors 90th Birthday ( again )

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Granny Mary Taylor and Alex and 90th Birthday

After a quick rest it was back to the Alps.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Into the Chesapeake

 

October 15, 2008 - Annapolis MD, United States

To continue North into the Chesapeake Bay we used the Dismal Swamp Canal.

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The dismal swamp

Very pleasant despite its name, probably more dismal for the slaves who dug it.
We also enjoyed traversing the only lock on the waterway.

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Locking through the Dismal swamp

Once into the Chesapeake bay we sailed to Annapolis to a large boat show.

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Annapolis sunset

On leaving Annapolis we had the pleasure on sailing with the annual Chesapeake Bay schooner race.

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Schooner race Annapolis

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Schooner race Annapolis

We saw some beautiful old boats, including this one, probably Kieran's next !

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Schooner race Annapolis

Work continued on the boat, with Barney mostly under the engine ( look carefully )

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Barney under the engine

And Diane created a beautiful leather wheel cover from a small cow.

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Di sewing our new wheel cover

As the weather got colder Diane dressed up in some fetching new accessorise.

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It gets chilly in the Chesapeake in October

Soon it was time to put the boat to bed and head back to the alps.
We lifted the boat to store in a yard in Deltaville Virginia.

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Lifting in Deltaville

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Slowly heading North

 

July 30, 2008 - Savannah GA, United States

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Quiet anchorage

We slowly headed North. Visiting a few towns such as Savannah Georgia, but mainly staying to the smaller quieter spots. We travelled a couple of days a week and spent the rest either lazing about of fixing and cleaning the boat. The first big priority was the fridge, after much swearing and spending of money we eventually installed a new one and beer was once again cold.

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happy skipper

We also managed to get the oven to work and we enjoyed the fresh bread that Di baked.

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Di first baking on Sea Gal

Thursday 10 July 2008

On the move

 

July 10, 2008 - Fernandina Beach FL, United States

We found out that if we removed the boat from Florida within 10 days then we could avoid paying tax. So the race was on. We serviced the engine, spent lots of money on essential equipment, everything from bedding to outboards, lifejackets to teapots, and we were ready. Luckily for us there is a system of waterways and canals up the east coast of the USA, so we could ease ourselves gently into the strengths and quirks of Sea Gal.

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Sailing up the ICW

 

 

 

 

 

So we were off and heading north. Some bridges we went under.

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3 foot to spare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others had to open for us.

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Bascule Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

We watch the world go by accompanied by Pelicans and Dolphins.
At night we anchored away from the crowds.

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Peacefully at anchor

 

 

 

 

 

Mostly enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, apart from at 3 o'clock when it rains in Florida.

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Rain in Florida at 3pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A common sight in the southern states are shrimp boats.

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Shrimp boat in South Carolina

 

 

 

 

 

But mostly lots of open space and wetlands.

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Wet lands of Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

Once we left Florida we could slow down and take it even easier.

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Swimming in the pool