So my first article has been published in MBY...How exciting! To say I’m pleased with myself is an understatement.
To make life even more interesting, I have been asked to write about #Chilaxin’s upcoming trip across the channel, into the French Waterways, and down to the Mediterranean sea.
We intend for the trip to take around 5-6 weeks - to allow us to stop in a few places and actually appreciate some of the beautiful towns and villages on the way.
Somewhere we both want to stop for a couple of days is Paris - it’s a must!
So how have we prepared for the trip?
It’s taken a few months and lots of research and yet another certificate taken - CEVNI! This is to allow us to go through the European Waterways - something that is not required in the UK (the equivalent to the highway code).
We have downloaded published books - "Through the French Canals" by David Jefferson and three books covering different sections of Inland Waterways in France, by Imray. All have been really helpful. Kev has also been using Google Maps to look at the bridges, locks and marinas all along the route to help plan the specific stops for fuel, provisions, points of interest and possible Hazards (height issues mainly).
We have put together our own digital book which has all the important documents that we will need for Port Authorities. These include the following:
• SSR or Part 1 Document
• Bill of Sale
• Builders Cert with RCD compliance
• Passport or other ID docs
• Insurance docs
• VHF operators license
• VHF onboard and handset have both been changed and enabled for ATIS - this was a quick call to Ofcom and amendment of our existing licence.
• Skipper to have ICC with CEVNI endorsement
We have also laminated the original documents and route plan so that we have a physical copy should we need them.
So what will our route be?
Well Chilaxin is a #SealineC330 and so the route has been height dependant.
On the 18th May, we will be leaving Brixham and heading to Guernsey with the Brixham Bay Hoppers. There will be 13 boats - both Sail and Power, going across for the weekend.
The following Monday, most will be heading back whilst the others will be travelling on to France. We will be heading to Le Havre for the night and to refuel.
From Le Havre, we head down the Seine to Rouen for another fuel top-up and stop over, later continuing on to Port De Venables, Port Ilon (another fuel stop), Port Clergy, and then...
...Paris! Here we will stay for a couple of days to have a look around the city (somewhere I have not been for 20 years!).
The above trip will take us a week to complete (with the extended stay in Paris). We have estimated that each day we will travel 5-6 hours on the Seine.
This is going to be slow going and there are some low bridges to be tackled - Max Height above waterline (TA) 3.5m, Draught (TE) 1.8m! Chilaxin is fine for the draught. However, we may, in places, need to remove the radar to get through (or just invite lots of people onboard for a beer to get us under the bridge!).
From Chalon-sur-Saône, the final leg will be down the Rhône to Montpellier via Lyon.
The first section to Lyon is around 170km and the speed increases to 16kn with a few slower sections at 8kn (but Chilaxin will be happier at those speeds!). There are only 5 locks and no height issues at this point.
From Lyon we head south, towards Montpellier again. No height issues and speeds of 16kn, an increase in locks to 13 but these are open really early until late as there is more commercial traffic at this point. The distance is approximately 323km
Once we get to the Mediterranean, we will head south, towards Barcelona, to MDL Marina - Sant Carles Marina, where we will stay for a week and explore the coastline and Barcelona before heading back.
During our adventure, I will be posting on our YouTube Channel - subscribe to see our updates! Please also share so other sailors, who wish to take this trip, get as much detail as possible.
There will be a weekly post so that you can see aerial footage as well as other video footage of the trip - and hopefully some helpful tips too!
Please feel free to ask any questions or make comments and I will answer as soon as possible!
Best wishes
#LadySkipper, Heidi.
Look forward to seeing more of your vlogs from your trip away!