Backstory - part 1

Where to start...

In November, when we left Baltimore? In June, when rxc retired? In 1999, when they bought the house in France? In 1987, when they moved to France for the first time? In 1983, when they met at a party thrown by a woman that he was (just casually) dating? In 1972, when he joined the Navy and developed a taste for boats and travel and food? In the 1950s, when she developed a yen for sailing and textiles and food?

Maybe we will just start in Baltimore, and fill in the holes as we go along.

This trip started on November 18, 2007, out of the Anchorage Marina in Baltimore, where Petillant had been berthed since July 2006. It is (1) a repositioning voyage for the boat to France, where rxc and jlm have a house and intend to retire, (2) a shakedown voyage of the boat in anticipation of the trip across the Atlantic, and then additional voyages around Europe, and (3) a retirement/vacation/adventure trip.

The boat is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS, 2-cabin version, sailboat. The name is french for "sparkling", and is also a wine term used to describe bubbly wine, usually with less carbonation than sparkling wine that is made like champagne.

The cats are Maine Coons, known for the gregarious nature, large size, and their fur, which is abundant. Zabelle is the #1 old lady. She was born in Amsterdam in 1990, and then lived in Paris, Washington, DC, and Harpers Ferry before she moved on board. Her daughter Siren is 14, was born in DC, and has followed her mother everywhere, in spite of Zabelle's efforts to be rid of her.

Dante and Calypso were born in Indiana in August 2006, and have lived with rxc and jlm in HF. They are bundles of energy and affection, and it was thought that they would take to sailing quite well. Unfortunately, Calypso gets quite seasick (more on that in later posts), and Dante insists on staying up in the cockpit when the boat is at sea. As a result, their participation in future long sea voyages is an open question.

The house in HF was sold in September, and all of the household goods were moved to France, where they are currently in storage in the barn and in the upstairs loft in the house. The house-sitters are still there, working on getting their new house complete and ready to move into, so the house is a bit crowded right now. Until then, rxc and jlm will be living on Petillant, crusing the Carribbean and getting ready for a transatlantic voyage.

More to come in part 2