The wonderful crew up at Bleu Marine in Dunkerque got her back in the water, and secured her to their private dock in front of the shop. She stayed there for nearly 3 weeks free of charge, with water, electricity and secure parking, permitting us to come and go as we got her ready for this summer. We came up weekends to equip her and slept on board.
What it lacks in sunny weather it makes up for in warm hearts, good eats and great pubs. Thanks to the set up at Bleu Marine, we were able to take our time prepping our trip, while benefitting from the expert advice of Michel Dupre and technical skills of the Bleu Marine staff. Bleu Marine provided all the logistical, technical and material support we needed, in an atmosphere of complete confidence. Not a bad business plan :. Michel Dupre found us a tender and an outboard motor, and we ordered custom made storm sail which hope to have installed before next season.
We wanted wind steerage and a few other things, but he told us to wait and see how things went this summer, then decide where we wanted to put our money. Great advice, and the return business we saw coming back to Bleu Marine is a good indication of the quality of their services.
Bleu Marine provided us with one of their team to accompany us on our first day out, which entailed going through a lock. We were happy to have the guidance, and were expecting for one of the guys to show up for this duty. Instead, the amazing Julie Mira showed up with bare feet and a warm smile. A professional skipper, Julie is among the very best, and her much solicited navigational skills take her around the world skippering boats for hire.
She is also an artist and a blogger lesmarinettes. She was terrific: calm, funny, and obviously, very knowledgeable. Peter had her out a second time, and learned oodles. What a great teacher. Julie took us out to see the very sexy and sensual mermaid buoy that welcomes sailors into the port of Dunkirk.
