April 15 – May 10, 2019
Cherbourg
We left Calgary on April 15 and arrived in Cherbourg for the long awaited meeting with our new bateau Chinook.
Pete and Kevin from Swiftsure were there to help commission the boat and it truly was love at first sight. We had a thorough walk thru of Chinook (from bow to stern, topside to bottom) and quickly became overwhelmed with the learning curve ahead of us. Pete and Kevin stayed for several days getting us comfortable with Chinook.
We spent several weeks at the Allures docks at Port Chatereyne as Allures technicians fixed issues identified during the commissioning. During that time we were reading manuals, learning and configuring new boat systems. We were becoming accustomed to a new language, new country not to mention fine French cheese, wine and fresh pastries.
We also spent time preparing Chinook for the French Canals – see more https://sv-chinook.com/2019/04/preparing-for-the-french-canals/
Normandy Beaches
We took a side trip to Bayeux to visit the Normandy Beaches (75th Anniversary this year of D Day). The day was cold, wet and windy similar to the weather on June 6, 1944. We spent the morning touring Omaha beach and the US cemetery. The afternoon visiting Juno beach and the Canadian cemetery. A very emotional day.
