I originally booked in for two weeks which seems to be the time I need
to sort out what I have just completed and set myself right for the next
step.
Port Médoc is a very quiet marina and is still being completed, but
there are some very wicked currents in the marina which keep the boats
dancing all the time. There is also the wind which makes the boats dance
even more. So even though its a quiet marina(not busy) it can be very noisy
and all the local boats have springs and protectors on their mooring lines.
At first I found it incredibly noisy but that soon wore off as I got used to
it.
As far as I can see the biggest problem is the lack of shopping
facilities and they have washing facilities in the form of large sinks, I
didn't think anyone washed that way now! The nearest shops are in Le Verdon
sur mer and they are typical village shops, a few items the villagers want
and not much else, the next shops are in Royan which is a proper town with
supermarkets and automats and everything else. Wish I'd stopped at Royan but
tides are not very good.
After my two weeks were up I decided I'd have another two weeks, after
all I don't have to be anywhere anytime, so I did, and decide I would leave
on Friday the 13th. I spent the two weeks altering my colour
slightly,shopping and having a look around, taking pictures. The weather got
better with temperatures upto about 35c.
Come Friday 13th I had prepared myself and the boat to try again for
Gijon, this time Iwas taking 160 litres of fuel which should be enough. I
got all dressed up and motored to the fuel berth to get my fuel and was
turned away as there was NO DIESEL. Put the boat back in its slot and went
and checked, it was so , there was no diesel, it would be here Monday. So I
upacked and settled down to wait. The fuel finally arrived the following
Thursday, in the meantime my fresh water system had sprung a leak and I woke
up to find no water in the taps but alot in the bilges, I booked in for yet
another week to get this fixed.
This enforced delay allowed me to see "Le Quatorze Juillet", for a
little tiny village the firework display was quite brilliant. The marina
suddenly had a lot of boats going back and forth, and for an instant it
looked normal.
But not having any fuel must have cut its takings considerably, you see a
boat come in to the fuel berth, read the notice, and go away again. After
the one week everything seems to have returned to normal, quiet.
Yesterday I went to get fuel, and of course, the machine wouldn't accept
my card, I had to get help, finally getting the fuel. The machine didn't
accept other cards either, so I 'spose its duff again! 24hr fuel !!!! I did
my last shopping and hope to leave tomorrow Friday 27th. Everything is ready
nothing can go wrong.
Next missive WILL be from Gijon.
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