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Log BookBLOG / journal de bord from Vagabond
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Mon, 06 Dec 2010, Neige celtique
 Before Vagabond's next departure to Greenland and Canada, her crew is enjoying snowy Brittany! Posted Dec 2010 06 at 14:09 Mon, 22 Nov 2010, Au sec
 25 tons. This is the weight of Vagabond, when her tanks are empty. She is now on land for the winter, far from pack ice, but we are taking care of her before next departure. Posted Nov 2010 22 at 21:37 Wed, 17 Nov 2010, Moulin Blanc
  Last days at sea for Vagabond, at Moulin Blanc Marina in Brest (Brittany), before going to shipyard on shore for maintenance. While Ecotroll will be heading to Paris in two days. Posted Nov 2010 17 at 10:05 Mon, 25 Oct 2010, Les deux premiers
 Saturday night, while Børge Ousland trimaran's crew was having a party at Oslo Fram Museum, the seven Russians of Peter 1st's crew were also celebrating the first journey around the Arctic, in Grimstad, 200 km from Norway's capital... read here Børge's interview. Posted Oct 2010 25 at 13:25 Wed, 20 Oct 2010, La boucle est bouclée
 En attendant le prochain départ de Vagabond, nous participons à quelques rencontres. There will be a party in Oslo on 23rd October when the trimaran Northern Passage will arrive: 4 months only to sail around the Arctic, 12 months less than Vagabond ! Peter 1st is in Faroe Islands, the Russian crew should also arrive soon. Before Vagabond's next departure, we are taking part to some events. Posted Oct 2010 20 at 12:48 Sun, 26 Sep 2010, Un trimaran autour de l'Arctique
 While France, Léonie and Aurore were promoting Ecotroll at Grand Pavois (boat show in La Rochelle), last week, I was on board the trimaran Northern Passage, in Canadian Arctic. Few days before, Børge Ousland called me to reinforce the crew of the Norwegian sail boat for one of the most exciting part of her journey: from Cambridge Bay to Pond Inlet, the heart of the North-West passage (look at the pictures)! Then Trygve replaced me in Pond Inlet to cross the Atlantic, so they are still four on board the trimaran, who could become soon the first yacht to sail around the Arctic in a single season (blog). Unless the Russians on board Peter 1st manage to catch up with Norwegians! It took us 17 months, on board Vagabond, to sail both passages (2002-2003)... What a difference to sail this year through a landscape with almost no ice, where we struggled for days to avoid wintering. The Norwegian trimaran's performance will allow more focus on the disappearing multiyear ice, which doesn't mean that navigation is safe in the Arctic: a cruise ship and a tanker went aground last summer in Canadian archipelago, because of poor charts (both boats are just back sailing). To the pack ice retreat, we need to add the coming oil rush in Greenland. For sure, it will increase sea traffic in this part of the Arctic. To better understand and witness all these changes, Vagabond will set sail from Brest in about seven months for another long polar stay, supporting the scientific community. To be continued! Posted Sep 2010 26 at 10:18 Sat, 11 Sep 2010, Brest !
 Ecotroll reprendra sa route demain jusqu'à La Rochelle, avec Alain et Marc, accompagnés par Christophe et Nicolas. Le périple de cinq mois s'achève pour nous quatre, l'heure est à la rentrée scolaire pour Léonie (avec un peu de retard !), tandis que je m'apprête à repartir pour le passage du Nord-Ouest pour quelques semaines... Ecotroll arrived yesterday in Brest. The sea was not so smooth in Saint George's Channel, but the English Channel was much more welcoming: a lot of dolphins were showing us the route, jumping joyfully! More liveliness came when we crossed Ouessant shipping lane, with non stop traffic of various cargo ships. Approaching Brittany, Ecotroll was going up to 12 knots in Four Channel! We had to wait then for the current to change direction before going through the Goulet de Brest, so we dropped anchor in front of Plougonvelin to celebrate Alain's birthday and the end of our journey! Ecotroll is now moored to Vagabond at Moulin Blanc Port. Léonie was very moved, when recognizing again our faithful red hull. If her sister Aurore (9 months) spent more than half of her life on board Ecotroll, Léonie (3 years and half) mainly lived on board Vagabond, in Svalbard. Ecotroll will sail from Brest tomorrow, to La Rochelle, with Alain and Marc, joined by Christophe and Nicolas. End of the five months journey for four of us, time to go back to school for Léonie (a little bit late!), while I'm getting ready to go to the North-West Passage for a few weeks... Posted Sep 2010 11 at 13:36 Tue, 07 Sep 2010, Northern Passage
Félicitations à Børge Ousland et à Thorleif Thorleifsson : ils viennent
de franchir le passage du Nord-Est à bord d'un trimaran, première partie
du tour de l'Arctique qu'ils tentent d'accomplir avant l'arrivée de
l'hiver... Lire leur blog. Posted Sep 2010 07 at 10:54 Tue, 07 Sep 2010, Irlande
 After short breaks in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, weather is keeping us in Ireland. Conditions are not the best to sail to Brittany, but stops are always enjoyed by each of the six people on board Ecotroll. Better weather should allow us to sail again in a few hours... Posted Sep 2010 07 at 00:59 Fri, 03 Sep 2010, Ecosse
 Ecotroll is finding her way between Scottish Islands, playing with her various power modes: kite, electric engines, diesel engines. Sun and wind are with us, many dolphins, seals, birds... and warm temperatures are nicely surprising us! Since our stop at Strendur's shipyard (Faroe Islands), where the team Nannidiesel / Technodrive / Flexball has been efficient, the ECOlogical TROLLer is heading South in very fine conditions. A short stop in Brest is planned by the end of next week, before sailing to La Rochelle for the Grand Pavois boat show (15th-20th September). Posted Sep 2010 03 at 07:38 Sat, 28 Aug 2010, Strendur, le retour
 Parti ce matin de Klaksvik au moteur électrique, Ecotroll a ensuite profité d'un petit vent portant pour gonfler son grand cerf-volant. Le courant aidant, les îles défilaient à bonne allure, jusqu'à ce que le vent baisse, et que l'aile pique du nez ! Quelques essais et trois repêchages plus tard, les moteurs thermiques étaient démarrés pour franchir les derniers milles, contre vent et courant cette fois, et atteindre le port de Strendur. C'est là que nous avions sorti Ecotroll en juin, et c'est là que le bateau va connaître quelques nouvelles mises au point, avec l'aide de l'agent Nannidiesel local, et d'une équipe technique venue de France et d'Italie. Another nice stop in Iceland, in Neskaupstadur (swimming pool, museum, restaurant, playground...), allowed us to reduce pleasantly the crossing to Faeroe Islands. Pushed by swell and wind, the faithful ship and her crew in good shape reached the archipelago within less than two days. However, we were slowed down by a strong current between the islands, able to drive us backward for a short while! Ecotroll left Klaksvik this morning under electric power, then she enjoyed a little back wind to use her big kite. With the current, islands were passing fast, until the wind dropped and the wing felled into the sea! Few trials and three recovers later, diesel engines were started to sail the last few miles, against wind and current that time, and to reach Strendur harbour. This is where Ecotroll was taken out of the water in June, it is here that she will have some more controls and improvements, with the help of local Nannidiesel agent, and a technical team coming from France and Italy. Posted Aug 2010 28 at 23:28 Mon, 23 Aug 2010, Vopnafjordur
 Wavy journey, too much swell for using the kites, but fair winds from Greenland. Ecotroll is in Vopnafjordur Harbour, in Iceland, where the crew enjoyed very much a geothermal pool! The only policeman of the village took us there in his police car, and then the harbour master invited us at home for dinner! Posted Aug 2010 23 at 11:00 Tue, 17 Aug 2010, Ecopolaris
 Position (Google Maps). Heavily loaded when starting from Ittoqqortoormiit, Ecotroll carried equipment for next Ecopolaris project (GREA). The 5 people team was expecting us at the Danish scientific station of Zackenberg, in the National Park. They embarked on board our small vessel to sail to the nearest airport (Constable Point). More than 600 miles (1100 km) done in less than 6 days for this logistical trip. On the way, two polar bears (one surprised us when we were having a nap on a beach!), walruses, seals, muskox... and many birds. We passed Daneborg, the Sirius patrol base, watching the Park, then we visited the scientific station, and also some old trappers huts. Last night, wind and waves were pushing Ecotroll over 9 knots between icebergs, cliffs and poor mapped coast of Liverpool Land, while darkness is coming back more and more... High sensations for everyone! Job done for Ecotroll, she will be leaving Greenland tomorrow: heading South, with Marc and Alain, our crew members for the trip Scoresby Sund - La Rochelle. Position (Google Maps). Posted Aug 2010 17 at 17:18 Tue, 10 Aug 2010, Scoresby Sund
 Position (Google Maps). Polar bear and seals, icebergs and glaciers, sun and smooth sea, wind and mosquitoes... nice mix shared during the past few days with Patrice Passinge, who built Ecotroll's hull. New experience for the director of Méta shipyard, who came with his family for the first time in the Arctic! Position (Google Maps). Posted Aug 2010 10 at 02:28 Wed, 04 Aug 2010, Liverpool Land
 A nouveau, notre bateau est au mouillage devant Ittoqqortoormiit. Les trois ornithologues, et tout leur matériel, ont quitté la colonie de mergules nains avec nous ce matin, sous le regard discret d'un ours blanc. Comme s'il venait reprendre possession du territoire... La veille, nous avons fêté l'anniversaire de David autour d'un feu de bois flotté (venu de Sibérie), profité d'un sauna improvisé sur la plage (et d'un bref plongeon dans l'eau glacée !), et observé une fois de plus le bal d'innombrables petits pingouins. Avant de récupérer l'équipe scientifique, quelques vagabondages nous ont permis de découvrir de magnifiques plages sur l'île Rathbone, et de croiser leur maître renard (farouche). Puis Ecotroll s'est faufilé au coeur d'un véritable rassemblement d'icebergs, au fond du fjord Vejle, au pied du glacier Bjerring Pedersens. De beaux restent de banquise nous y attendaient aussi, nous rappelant avec délice les débâcles au Spitsberg, chaque année vers la mi-juillet. Un ours a l'affût, allongé sur la glace, tentait d'attraper l'un des nombreux phoques, tous plus téméraires que dans les environs du village. Demain, avec Patrice et son équipe, nous devrions naviguer vers le fond de l'immense fjord Scoresby. Position (Google Maps). Last week, Ecotroll was lifted up on the deck of the supply ship of the Royal Arctic Line, while in the village, very expected containers were received one by one. Repair was quick, thanks to Arina Arctica's crew, and sailing along Liverpool Land could carry on... Again, our boat is at anchor in front of Ittoqqortoormiit. The three ornithologists, and all their equipment, left the little auk colony with us this morning. A polar bear was looking at us from a distance, as if he was ready to recover his lost ground... The day before, we celebrated David's birthday around a fire made from drifted wood (from Siberia), enjoyed a home made sauna (and a short dive in the frozen sea!), and watched once more thousands of little penguins flying together. Before picking up the scientists, we discover great beaches at Rathbone Island, and their coy fox. Then Ecotroll found her way between many icebergs gathered in fjord Vejle, near glacier Bjerring Pedersens. Some remains of pack ice were also expecting us, reminding us nicely ice breaking up periods in Svalbard, every year around mid-July. A polar bear was in ambush, lying on the ice, trying to catch one of the many seals, all more foolhardy than near the village. Tomorrow, with Patrice and his crew, we should sail towards the end of the huge Scoresby fjord. Position (Google Maps). Posted Aug 2010 04 at 02:44 Wed, 28 Jul 2010, Kap Hoegh
 Position (Google Maps). At 30 miles from the village, at Kap Hoegh, David, Jérôme and Eric are working on little auks. The research program started in 2004, we already participated in 2005 with Vagabond. This year, without pack ice, will this little penguin change behaviour? This is the most frequent bird in the Arctic, and he is feeding with some plankton growing under pack ice. Is the little auk the perfect indicator on ice retreat? To better understand, observations and data from this new field work will be very important. Position (Google Maps). Posted Jul 2010 28 at 03:10 Fri, 23 Jul 2010, Autour d'Ittoqqortoormiit
 Depuis notre arrivée au Groenland, les moteurs diesel n'ont pas tourné, les panneaux solaires et éoliennes rechargent constamment les batteries. Le poêle à bois non plus n'a pas été allumé depuis l'Islande, le soleil chauffe suffisamment l'habitacle bien vitré du bateau. Nous apprécions toujours autant l'été arctique ! Position (Google Maps). While we are getting ready to take Ecotroll out from the sea, to change two little gaskets, we are staying around Ittoqqortoormiit. The village is not anymore protected by drifting ice, all is gone since last gale (over 60 knots gust). Swell sometimes makes us look for a shelter in the nearest fjords, it is often difficult to go to shore. Many visitors on board; Greenlandic, but also travellers as Vernay brothers, and then our friend Michael Charavin, with their team-mates, they brought items for us. On Wednesday, we did a small talk on board Bremen, a German cruise ship: France and Léonie enjoyed very much the swimming pool! In the village, everybody is waiting for the supply ship, on 28th July. She is coming twice a year only... Since we arrived in Greenland, we didn't run the diesel engines, solar panels and wind generators keep charging batteries. The wood stove has not been used either since we left Iceland, sun is heating very well the saloon, thanks to all windows. We still enjoy very much Arctic summer! Position (Google Maps). Posted Jul 2010 23 at 01:59 Tue, 13 Jul 2010, Ittoqqortoormiit
 Depuis l'Islande, la traversée a duré moins de deux jours, pour entrer dans l'immense fjord de Scoresbysund. Mer clémente, grand show de baleines à bosses, dauphins curieux, soleil de minuit, puis champs de grands icebergs à l'arrivée ! France et moi sommes heureux d'être de retour ici, de faire découvrir cette région à nos deux petites filles et à nos coéquipiers. Il y a cinq ans, nous étions venus du Spitsberg avec Vagabond, pour des missions ornithologiques et géologiques. Nous n'avions pas pu atteindre le village avant fin juillet. Cette année, Ecotroll est le premier bateau ! Position (Google Maps). Here we are, Ecotroll dropped anchor in Greenland! At third attempt, breaking or pushing drifting ice, the aluminium hull found her way to the village of Ittoqqortoormiit. It took us almost 24 hours to do the last 10 miles, sometimes waiting for pack ice to release us: the anchor was dropped on a big ice floe, on which we could walk a bit and stiff our legs! While drifting with pack ice, up to 1 km/h away from our destination... What a pleasure to start sailing, silently, using electric engines, when ices are scattering again. From Iceland, the trip was less than two days, to enter the great fjord of Scoresbysund. Good sea, jumping whales, curious dolphins, midnight sun, and then a field of huge icebergs on our arrival! France and I are happy to be back here, with our two daughters and our team-mates. Five years ago, we were coming from Spitsbergen with Vagabond, for ornithology and geology projects. We could not reach the village before the end of July. This year, Ecotroll is the first boat! Position (Google Maps). Posted Jul 2010 13 at 11:30 Sat, 10 Jul 2010, Phare
 Il y a 19 ans, pour Fred, Christophe et moi, ce phare sur la pointe la plus septentrionale de l'Islande, était l'objectif d'une grande traversée de l'île en VTT ! Souvenirs... Weather is improving! Before sailing to Greenland, a nice walk to the lighthouse of Hraunhafnartangi, with our friends Jean-Baptiste and Denis. They came to visit us by car from Reykjavik, where they left their yacht Algol. 19 years ago, for Fred, Christophe and me, this lighthouse on the northern most point of Iceland, was the arrival point of a great journey across the island with mountain bikes! Lots of memories... Posted Jul 2010 10 at 13:07 Thu, 08 Jul 2010, Cercle polaire
 At a few kilometres from the Arctic circle, at the very North of Iceland, Ecotroll is waiting for a little storm to pass, before heading to Greenland. To reach Raufarhofn harbour, our boat had to use all her skills: few hours after departure from Vopnafjordur, no more fuel! Diesel tank empty, by mistake. We are at 50 miles from the next harbour... No worries, we keep going under electric power for about 4 hours, so silent that even whales seem surprised. It is then with the kite that for about 10 hours Ecotroll is slowly sailing her way, while wind generators and solar panels are recharging the batteries. Enough to enter and moor in the harbour with electric engines, despite the increasing wind. A great experience shared with Hakim, who was in charge of Ecotroll's interior design; he joined us last Sunday with his daughter Capucine and Martin. Posted Jul 2010 08 at 02:37 Sat, 03 Jul 2010, Seydisfjordur
 "Daddy, there is a war ship in the harbour!". In Iceland as well, Ecotroll is attracting visitors. We had just moored today that curious were already talking to each other. Fishermen are interested with hybrid engines, also with the strong and practical look. And questions are many about the strange thing on the roof: the winch for the kite. Unfortunately, waves were too big and the wind too weak and changing, during our trip from Faeroe Islands, to use the kite. In order to get back wind, we decided to sail along a big low... Ecotroll is a small but good boat in the swell! When arriving in Iceland, the swimming pool and the sauna were the good place to meet local people, on this rainy Saturday. Posted Jul 2010 03 at 20:38 Tue, 29 Jun 2010, Strendur
 Ecotroll decided to stay a little longer in Faeroe Islands. Despite the technical problem which is extending our journey in the archipelago, we are glad to meet more Faeroe's people, so welcoming and friendly. It is in Strendur that Ecotroll was taken out of the water this morning, to check port propeller. On the other side of the fjord, this afternoon, the Queen of Denmark had a great welcome. It was also the opportunity to greet her French husband, Henry, by a beautiful sunny day. And tonight, Elton John is attracting 6000 people in the stadium of the capital for a historical solo concert. We can hear his music more than 10 km away, in Strendur for instance. Posted Jun 2010 29 at 22:33 Fri, 25 Jun 2010, Eidi
 Unexpected summer party in Torshavn! We thought we had drop anchor in a quiet little bay, in front of the capital... it didn't take us long to prepare the dinghy and go to the lively shore. Since this great bath in the crowd, Ecotroll reached Eidi harbour, last stop before Iceland. Guillaume and his video camera just embarked. Posted Jun 2010 25 at 01:14 Tue, 22 Jun 2010, Torshavn
 Avec l'aide d'un expert inattendu rencontré à Frodba, les réglages du treuil ont été améliorés. Ecotroll a intrigué davantage les habitants de Tvoroyri en descendant leur fjord à 5 noeuds, avec seul le cerf-volant de 60m2, par 20 noeuds de vent à peine. Invited by a Greenlandic lady for the National Day, we went yesterday up to the Greenland House, straight after arriving in Torshavn, capital of Faroe Islands. About thirty Greenlandic are living in the archipelago, they like to meet sometimes at their large amazing wooden igloo which roof is covered with grass! With the help of an unexpected expert met in Frodba, settings of the winch have been improved. Ecotroll was even more amazing for the inhabitants of Tvoroyri when sailing down their fjord at 5 knots, only using the 60m2 kite, with less than 20 knots of wind. Posted Jun 2010 22 at 01:16 Fri, 18 Jun 2010, Vaags
 Pour atteindre Vaags, au sud des Féroé, Ecotroll n'a pas été tracté autant que nous le souhaitions par le cerf-volant. La houle sans doute a eu raison de nos tentatives, et le dernier repêchage du cerf-volant fût un peu scabreux... Afin d'affiner notre technique, nous devons poursuivre les essais par mer plus calme ! In Faeroe Islands, no big deal with football, teams are training daily rowing. The heavy traditional wooden boats are heroes of competitions organized, all summer long, at a difference place in the archipelago each week. In the fog last night, one of these small boats was passing and passing again near Ecotroll: we could hear the helmswoman screaming accross the fjord, while six strong rowers were trying to obey as hard as they could! To reach Vaags, south of Faeroe Islands, Ecotroll was not pulled by the kite as much as we wanted. The swell probably made our efforts pointless, and the last recovery of the kite in the water was a bit tricky...In order to improve our technique, we need more trials, with calm sea! Posted Jun 2010 18 at 08:50 Sun, 13 Jun 2010, Stornoway
 With our friends from Craignish, we reached the Isle of Seil, where the Hunter family was expecting us: five years ago, their son Henry, boat hitch-hiker, embarked on board Vagabond from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, to Ittoqqortoormiit, in Greenland, where we are going again this summer! Before breeding sheeps, Hunters sailed a lot on board a Trismus, a yacht designed by Jean-Pierre Brouns, like Ecotroll. In a very nice place, at Hunter's farm, we met great people, during four days, and also kept on setting up and supplying our ship. This morning, sailing between Scottish islands, Ecotroll arrived at Stornoway, Outer Hebrides, from where we will be trying to start with a good wind for our kite! Posted Jun 2010 13 at 09:39 Sat, 12 Jun 2010, Jin et Frost
 End of May, Jin and Frost have been killed. A sudden decision from the man who didn't have anymore timme to look after them, at Ny-Alesund international scientific station. Our faithful companions, best watchdogs of Vagabond, heroes of our five winters in Svalbard, are not anymore. Posted Jun 2010 12 at 12:00 Sun, 06 Jun 2010, Ardfern
 Ardfern is welcoming us in a very nice Marina. It was five nice nights and days of sailing, enjoying a very fine weather. Dolphins, sun and moon shine, very little wind: we could only use the kite in the Irish Sea. But how fun! Most of the time, electric and diesel engines were running alternately. Here we are in Scotland, where we meet up with our friend Tristan and his family. A year ago, Le Manguier was stopping here as well, by the end of Loch Craignish. It is good to go to shore, first time since we left France. We are expecting a parcel with spare parts, that should allow us to understand the funny behaviour of an engine command... Posted Jun 2010 06 at 12:55 Tue, 01 Jun 2010, Salcombe
 Since we left Le Havre, Ecotroll's deck has been already well flushed with salty water. At anchor for the night, on the other side of the English Channel. Smell of freshly baked bread, sunset, gently rolling... Posted Jun 2010 01 at 23:27 Sat, 29 May 2010, Ouistreham
 Almost a week was needed to prepare Ecotroll before sailing in waves. Supported by friends captains of tug boats or pilots in Le Havre, transition from rivers to open ocean went in the best conditions: thank you Cédric, Marc, Quentin, Alice and Vincent! When leaving the harbour this morning, a good facing wind was already making some waves, perfect to check if everything was ready and correctly packed. Ecotroll is now at Ouistreham, waiting for winds pushing us... The weather station is now running, you can follow our track here. Posted May 2010 29 at 23:40 Thu, 27 May 2010, Cerf-volant
 First trip at sea Tuesday afternoon, to try the 60 m2 kite from Omega Sails, with its designer Vincent Leblond. Happy results! Posted May 2010 27 at 00:48 Mon, 24 May 2010, Le Havre
 Ecotroll met tides in Rouen! When leaving the town yesterday, our boat was looking pretty small along the Belem or the Jeanne d'Arc... Sometimes going at more 18 km per hour with the current, sometimes following at low speed the last curves of the river Seine, Ecotroll met again salty water last night. Few days stop at Le Havre to get ready before sailing offshore. Posted May 2010 24 at 16:56 Sat, 22 May 2010, Port de l'Ilon
 Nice green place, at 120 km from Paris following the long turns of the river Seine... It is here that Vagabond was built, in the 70's. Posted May 2010 22 at 03:10 Thu, 13 May 2010, Port de plaisance de Paris-Arsenal
 Ecotroll entered Paris yesterday evening, she was welcomed at Paris-Arsenal harbour, near Bastille. Coming to the capital by the river Seine is giving an unusual view on the built-up area! In the harbour until 20th May, before sailing further to Le Havre, it is time to check equipment on board after a major water entry, on 11th night. Time to get ready to sail offshore... A presentation and a press conference, by Ecotroll's team, will be organized on 18th May at 19:00. Posted May 2010 13 at 14:51 Tue, 11 May 2010, Saint-Mammès
 At Saint-Mammès, Ecotroll left the canal du Loing to meet river Seine, her barges and her stream. Since river Saône, we did more than 400 km of canal, and 150 locks! Wednesday, we will arrive in Paris, where we will stay for 8 days. Posted May 2010 11 at 00:56 Fri, 07 May 2010, VNF
Voir la carte
des Voies Navigables de France
Posted May 2010 07 at 23:36 Fri, 07 May 2010, Châtillon
 From Châtillon-sur-Loire to Châtillon-Coligny, Ecotroll flew above the river Loire thanks to the beautiful Briare's aqueduct. We left behind the canal latéral à la Loire, we are now following the canal de Briare to reach the river Seine in a few days. Posted May 2010 07 at 23:11 Wed, 05 May 2010, Saint-Satur (Sancerre)
 Pour l'anniversaire de France hier soir, Céline était l'invitée surprise de son amie. Bougies, feu de bois, champagne et gâteau ! Long sailing days, yesterday and today, under the rain... Countryside is very green! A bit less than forty kilometres have been done with diesel engines during these two days, because no sun, no electricity to charge batteries. For France's birthday last night, Céline was the unexpected guest! Candles, wood fire, champagne and cake! Posted May 2010 05 at 23:23 Mon, 03 May 2010, Beaulon
 Ecotroll left canal du Centre, then crossed the river Loire to reach canal latéral à la Loire. Tonight, we are in the country side, not far from the little village of Beaulon (Auvergne). Posted May 2010 03 at 22:26 Thu, 29 Apr 2010, Digoin
 Ecotroll is at Digoin for a few days work. 64 locks and 254 km from Lyon, including 230 km done with electric engines. Batteries are charged during the night, with 220V available at harbours, in addition to solar energy received during the day. Posted Apr 2010 29 at 15:47 Tue, 27 Apr 2010, Montceau-les-Mines
 301 meters altitude. The highest point of the trip from Lyon to Greenland! Reached today, before stopping further down in Montceau-les-Mines. Now, Ecotroll is sailing down to the Ocean... Posted Apr 2010 27 at 22:33 Mon, 26 Apr 2010, Saint-Léger
 Since Ecotroll left Lyon, she has been sailing on diesel engine during two hours only. Electric engines were used for the rest of the trip. Today, we left river Saône to enter Centre canal. Large curves of the river are replaced with narrow locks. It is sometimes amazing to sail over railways or roads! Today, 32 km and 16 locks from Chalon-sur-Saône à Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune! To sail the Bourgogne canal, we would have had to remove wind generators and radar. Going through Centre canal, Loire canal, Briare canal, and Loing canal, there is 3,50m headroom (40cm more). Also, we are saving 59 locks to reach river Seine. Stop in Paris plan from 15 to 20 May. Posted Apr 2010 26 at 23:44 Sat, 17 Apr 2010, Grand départ
  France et moi venons d'obtenir le permis fluvial, nous sommes en règles pour larguer les amarres, cap au nord ! Great party yesterday, for Ecotroll departure. Between the new waterfront in Lyon Confluence, and Quay Rambaud along river Saône, guests could discover the amazing ship, under wonderful sunshine. Most excited visitors, as Gérard Collomb, mayor of Lyon, and Catherine Chabaud, godmother of Ecotroll, had opportunity to sail, without noise, enjoying the electric engines. When the sun was about to set, La Batook was there with her new show: for the first time, projects of both Brossier brothers, Eric and François, were meeting together ! It was then time for talk and cocktail for everyone. France and me just got the license to navigate on waterways, we are ready to start, heading north! Posted Apr 2010 17 at 09:37 Thu, 15 Apr 2010, France 3 Ecotroll sur France 3, cliquez sur Locale Lyon du 13/04/2010. Posted Apr 2010 15 at 08:52 Mon, 12 Apr 2010, Lyon
 Lire l'article du Telegramme de ce jour. Ecotroll arrived in Lyon this morning! While we were letting Vagabond at Brest Harbour, where she will be quietly waiting for us until Autumn, Ecotroll was sailing up the river Rhone... Amazing to meet with her this morning on river Saône, and especially to steer her across old Lyon! Tonight, Aurore and Léonie are sleeping peacefully in their new cabin, France and me are enjoying Ecotroll's large and comfortable saloon. Departure party will be Friday, with a show from La Batook! Then, heading to Greenland... Read today's Telegramme article. Posted Apr 2010 12 at 22:14 Wed, 07 Apr 2010, Recit en images
 New photo album on line: sailing in Norway, skiing in Lyngen's Alps, then journey from Tromsø to Brest, via snowy fjords, Shetland Islands, Caledonian Canal, Irish Sea and the Channel... Posted Apr 2010 07 at 17:00 Sun, 04 Apr 2010, Brest !
 On that Easter Sunday, Vagabond entered the Moulin Blanc harbour! 1714 Nautical Miles in 18 days to go from Tromsø to Brest, the home towns of Léonie and Aurore: the two ship's girls were on the pier, tonight, with France, to welcome their Vagabond... They have never seen her so far from the Arctic! Posted Apr 2010 04 at 22:30 Sat, 27 Mar 2010, Lerwick
 At Måløy, a short stop overnight, then Vagabond left Norwegians fjords, protected, to cross the North Sea, rougher! Two days and half a dozen of oil rigs later, here we are in Lerwick, Shetlands, warmly welcomed by Leslie. Close friend of Norwegian Blue's crew, which was together with us in the Northwest Passage in 2003, he is following Vagabond since. Great stories to share, discovering the islands and taking of the boat before sailing to Scotland, as soon as weather will be fine. Posted Mar 2010 27 at 18:33 Sun, 21 Mar 2010, Cercle Polaire
 Il n'y a guère plus de neige sur les montagnes qui bordent les fjords, la température remonte au point que le chauffage peut être éteint pendant l'après-midi ! Le vent est portant, les aurores boréales veillent sur nous pendant les quarts de nuit... Yesteday afternoon, Vagabond crossed the Polar Circle. She has been in the Arctic for almost six years! She will go back next year, after the good refit planned in Brest. There is not much snow anymore on the mountains along the fjords, temperature is rising and the stove can be turned off during the day! Wind is pushing us and northern lights are looking after us during night watches... Posted Mar 2010 21 at 15:39 Thu, 18 Mar 2010, Cap au sud
 In a few hours, Vagabond will be leaving Tromsø. Piem, André, Stéphane and me are heading for Brest. We will never forget the last downhill ski trips, in Lyngen's powder... Posted Mar 2010 18 at 11:26 Mon, 01 Mar 2010, Cabotage hivernal
 Mi-mars, Vagabond fera route pour Brest... juste à temps pour nous pour embarquer sur Ecotroll ! Since last week, Vagabond has got back her family crew. Léonie had her third birthday on board (like previous ones!), and her younger sister is adapting well to her floating home. Sky is still blue, temperature increased from -15°C to -8°C, and first of all wind stopped. Conditions are now perfect to welcome our friends and sail in the fjords for about 8 days, heading to Tromsø. A little bit further, in the Lingen Mountains, Vagabond will then take a group of mountain skiers to some unusual summits. What a pleasure to sail in winter, even above the Arctic Circle! Thanks to the Gulf Stream, there is no pack ice here, and the fjords are well protected from the open ocean. Mid-March, Vagabond will be heading for Brest... just on time for us to embark on board Ecotroll! Posted Mar 2010 01 at 16:59 Mon, 22 Feb 2010, Liland
 Aurore, Léonie, France and I arrived at Liland last Friday. In front of this little Norwegian village, between Narvik and Lofoten Islands, Vagabond, at anchor, is waiting for us since last summer. Léonie is looking forward to show her boat to her younger sister! While waiting for the wind to reduce, to make it easier to embark, we are enjoying the beautiful and comfortable house from our friends. Posted Feb 2010 22 at 08:10 Sat, 30 Jan 2010, Toute l'équipe d'Ecotroll à Hyères
 In less than 3 months, we will start sailing on board Ecotroll, heading for East Greenland. This amazing boat is under construction at Olbia boat yard, at Hyères (south of France). Few days ago, the whole team was there, and we could discover the smallest of the 3 Omega sails we will use for the trip (20, 40 and 60 square meters). Posted Jan 2010 30 at 23:56 Wed, 06 Jan 2010, Voeux
 B o n n e A n n é e 2 0 1 0 ! H a p p y 2 0 1 0 ! Posted Jan 2010 06 at 22:31 |
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