We've been in France for nearly a year now, and the end of our one-year long stay visas is in sight. The year, all of 2020, has been "interesting", to say the least. Between commissioning new BRAVO, experiencing nearly 5 months of the 2 strict Covid lockdowns in Brittany, watching the USA political meltdown from abroad, and dealing with travel restrictions, it's been a tough year to navigate (as we know it has been for everyone around the world).
But BRAVO is at last nearly complete! The installation of our new hydraulic gearbox, a replacement for the failed mechanical transmission on the Volvo engine is done. The repair necessitated nearly two months on the hard in a local boatyard. Happily we were able to stay in the available holiday home of Tiphenn's family. (Tiphenn is a wonderful woman working here at the marina!!). Electrical and electronics work, sail adjustments and other remaining bits are done, and we've now started to look for a weather window for departure.
Our one-year French visas expire at the end of 2020, just ten days away!!! Brittany, Treguier in particular, has been good to us, but it is definitely time to go! The weather has seen a series of winter lows, with gale force winds and 4-5 meter seas rolling eastward across the region. But possibly Tuesday, now just two days away, looks like a good time for the 100 mile overnight crossing. (We will go at night, in order to have daylight for our arrival in Dartmouth.). We are eager to arrive in the UK, where we'll be in 10 days of quarantine through Christmas and New Years!!! It will be great to begin the next chapter of cruising on new BRAVO!!!