Saturday, 28th September
We had been informed by the head of the port of Soubise that he could take the boat out of the water at 3 p.m.
We absolutely have to stick to this schedule. Wake up at 4 a.m., leave at 5 a.m.
It is still pitch black, Eric is on the bow, guiding me with a torch. Despite this, I confuse the two harbor dikes, and avoid disaster with a big reverse, under the yells of the quartermaster!
We still face a bit of swell as we live the port, but the wind has dropped and despite a few attempts, we lower our sails for the last time and made this final leg under engine. At least the sun has come out.
A little breeze is rising as we approach the entrance of the Charente. Out of laziness, I decide to stay on the engine, but I feel some late remorse when we pass a boat that is moving forward under sail…
We moor at the Soubise pontoon at 2 p.m., just take the time to have a small meal on board before Pierre, the port manager, signals us to approach. It takes a good hour to wedge the boat on its cradles.
It is a special moment. 38 days after our departure, here is Paradox on the dry again, waiting for new adventures.
We have 3 hours left to clean and tidy up, wash the anchor chain, put the covers on the sails, etc.
We are going to take a shower, and this time it is the restaurant “Côté Nord”, my favorite in Rochefort, which welcomes us for our last meal together.
This evening, we sleep without the slightest rocking.