Graptolite - The Western Front

Graptolite's Sailing Log
Martyn Pickup & Heike Richter
Thu 17 Sep 2009 15:36
36:49.20N 028:18.56E Marmaris Yacht Marina, Turkey, Thursday 17th September
PM

This location is just where Graptolite is. The skipper is miles away in
Blighty.

Last Thursday I flew up to Frankfurt and was collected by Heike and the next
day we headed south-ish down the Rhine valley and the Weinstrasse. It's the
time of year for post-grape harvest festivals.

We crossed the Maginot Line with no resistance at all from the French and
through Colmar and into the Voges mountains. We stayed in some excellent
hotels and thoroughly stuffed our faces on Michelin-starred tucker. Back
northwards down the Moselle valley and then through Koblenz and Der Deutcher
Eck and back to Heike's Betzdorf apartment.

On Monday I drove up to Calais and jumped on a P&O ferry to Dover. Contrary
to popular opinion there are in fact no 'bluebirds over the white cliffs of
Dover' but it was a pretty sight even so after two years away.

I'm staying at my old Maldive's crew, Mike and Jacqui's house in Surrey.
Tuesday was mostly long overdue visits to dentist, doctor and optician.
Wednesday was tooth-drilling and filling day then down to the Southampton
Boat Show to check out new dinghies.

Not much has changed in Southampton apart from Aladdin's Cave Chandlery
selling up. The owners must have already been rich beyond the dreams of
avarice after my circumnavigation fitting out.

M