Saturday, 28th September
As predicted, the storm has finally calmed down.
We had been informed by Soubise harbour master 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 harbour at 5 a.m, for this last leg, about 50 miles .
It is still pitch black. Eric is on the bow, guiding me with a torch. Despite this, I confuse the two harbor breakwaters, turn to port and head towards the wall. I narrowly avoid disaster with a big reverse thrust, under the yells of our quartermaster!
A last magnificent day dawns
We still face a bit of swell as we live the harbor, but after a royal sunrise, a beautiful day is in the making to accompany our last navigation.
And here comes the Ile de Ré bridge again
The wind gradually becomes fluctuating and we alternate between sails and motor.
Still, a little breeze rises as we approach the river entrance.
But the sails are stowed, the halyards and sheets coiled, and I decide to keep motoring.
Too llittle wind now, we stow the sails.
And here is the dry port of Soubise again
A sin of laziness, which we shamefully regret, as, in the fumes of our Perkins, we overtake an Oceanis bravely making his way up the river under sails.
We moor at the Soubise pontoon at 2 p.m., just take the time to have a small meal on board before Pierre, the harbour master, signals us to approach. It then takes a good hour to wedge the boat on its cradles.
Paradox leaves the liquid element…
It is a special moment. 38 days after our departure, here is Paradox on the dry again, waiting for new adventures.
…and is towed to its designated parking place
Contrary to our fears, there is not the slightest trace of algae below the waterline.
We have 3 hours left to clean and tidy up, wash the anchor chain, put the covers on the sails, and so on.
We go and 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 will sleep without the slightest rocking…
Our last sunset, on the Charente