“Salsa on the corner of every street, stylish girls on the beach: there’s no doubt, we’re in Latin America, at Culebra, an island attached to Puerto Rico. We are going to have to stay here for a few days, long enough to fit a new propeller to replace the one which mysteriously disappeared. Of course this has happened in the middle of holy week, when everything is closed. It wouldn’t be funny otherwise. We’re going to take advantage of this opportunity to describe for you a typical day aboard Everest.
7.30 am, the crew gets out of bed. 9 am, breakfast is finished and the previous evening’s washing up is done and put away, thanks to the two children in charge of the dish towels. From 9.30 to 11 am, home-schooling for the children. Depending on Camille and Victor’s degree of concentration, there are either one or two subjects on the program. Meanwhile, Bertrand is preparing the navigation. From 11 am to 3 pm (on average), short sail to reach the next anchorage. We take advantage of this opportunity to eat a quick lunch at sea, when there isn’t too much swell. The sea gives you an appetite. A choice: ‘Paté Hénaff’ or ham sandwich, hard-boiled eggs, chips or rice salad. From 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm, the dinghy is in the water, the crew goes to the beach to play in the waves, or to rest. From 6 to 7.30 pm, second school session, shower and cooking. In the evening, the cook pulls out all the stops and makes us a treat: cristophine gratin, mashed sweet potato, sautéed plantain bananas, and...a barbecue from time to time. From 7.30 to 9 pm, unchanging ritual: ti-punch, followed by evening meal, tooth brushing and putting the children to bed. We can also start with a game of Time’s Up, or even a theatrical show, created by Camille herself. From 9 to 10 pm, updating the log book, enjoying a herbal tea, finding out about the next destination, admiring the constellations!”
Boat: Everest, Catana 42 (chartered)
Who: Muriel and Bertrand, Camille and Victor
Where: West Indies
Blog: www.sailing-family.fr
