Departure

When I woke up this morning, I didn't feel like "Yeah, today's the day, I'm so excited!". On the contrary, I was anxious, wondering if it wasn't too big for me? I can't really sail on the high seas, my back hurts and will I even learn that much about biosphere reserves, will I get to socialise with the people?

The last few days before departure were extremely exhausting. As well as preparing the boat, I was also responsible for the provisions. I knew that shopping was going to be more difficult without a car and logistics. So I wanted a well-stocked basic range of tinned food, pulses, spices, etc. The shopping list was long. The shopping list was long and carefully considered, but the uncertainty remained. French supermarkets are huge and really well stocked. In the end, I pushed a shopping trolley worth 444.00 euros worth of non-perishable food through the checkout - wasn't that a bit excessive? The next day, I had to buy the less perishable food: Cheese, salad, vegetables ...

I had to get some fresh herbs from the nearby garden centre for the eyes, the smell and the soul. That's another thing, I'm afraid that I'll miss the plants and greenery so much because of all the water.

Two years ago, we went on holiday to La Palma, where we met people who lived very close to nature, who had escaped civilisation from their jobs as coaches, teachers, etc. I wondered at the time how they coped with solitude. At the time, I wondered how they coped with the loneliness. However, this didn't seem to be a problem, they had nature. "And what do you advise a person like me to do if you want to communicate with nature?" I asked a former teacher. "I should look at the sea for a long time and watch the waves, become one." Well, I'll get the opportunity to do that on this trip 😊.

Today, on 15 August, the bank holidays in France, we left the harbour "Port Cogolin" at 9:03 am, heading west, past St. Tropez. We saw yachts of superlatives, floating villas. They look rather forbidding to me. They don't look innovative on the outside either. For example, I have never seen a yacht with greenery.

So now the great adventure begins. A quick photo to capture the moment. Shortly after the start behind St Tropez, a wonderful sign: I think a dolphin jumped out of the water, twice, at least the animal was big and friendly.

At first there is hardly any wind and we are motoring. Then a little breeze appears. We want to try out the light wind sail that we want to use especially for the Atlantic crossing, but the wind is unfavourable. In the end, Martin sails into Toulon just in time for the military air show. The jets above us spray the national colours of the French, blue, white and red. We anchor close together next to small motorboats full of families. Now we are the big ones. There's a lot going on, I've never anchored so close together before, it's a real festival atmosphere.

Originally we wanted to head for the biosphere reserve in Menorca, but then we would have had to start sailing at night. Now we're sailing a long beat towards Barcelona in search of the right wind window. The aim is to be in Gibraltar on 1 September.

The food is sizzling on the plancha, the sun is setting. No lonely bay, but a colourful glow of lights and the laughter of relaxed people.

After a delicious meal, a brilliant finale to this first day - fireworks as big and beautiful as I have never seen before and we are sitting in the front row without even knowing it, what a crazy start to the adventure.

My fear at the start of the day? Gone, curiosity wins out and I think we are a strong team.