It had been dormant since the winter of 2023, when a junket (gathering of junks) was announced in Dublin, which would take place on the occasion of the “Three Bridges Event”. During this event, the first 3 bridges on the Liffey River are exceptionally open, allowing the participating boats to parade to the city centre.
Paradox being in Soubise, a dry port 5 hours drive from my home, there is no question of going there to make circles in the water on a Sunday afternoon.
So there, was the perfect opportunity to do a real navigation, worthy of the boat. In the background, was also the nostalgia of retracing a little of the route that had been ours during the delivery of China Blue, in 2021, when we brought her back from Glasgow to Soubise (cf. https://leblanc.pl/china_blue/).
I had just met Bruno, the brother of my friend Christian. If Bruno was already an experienced sailor, Christian was a complete novice … eager to learn. From then on, in my head, I already had my crew! The idea germinated and the decision was made in February 2024 : We would go to Ireland!
During the same month, Eric Andlauer, well known in our association (the Junk Rig Association : https://www.junkrigassociation.org), honoured us by joining the crew.
A highly experienced sailor, winner of an edition of the Jester Challenge, Breton coastline expert and junk sails specialist, he had been the initiator of my interest in this rig.
But Éric especially benefits from a reputation of seriousness that seems to impress my wife Gina, seriousness of which I must no doubt lack, judging by her obvious relief on learning that he would be the fourth crew member on our adventure!