Sailing high to a soggy low. But perseverance prevailed

Sailing High to a Soggy Low and a Very Necessary Beer

Leaving the calm of Port-Vendres, we headed out expecting light winds and a day of gentle motoring. However, the moment we slipped out of the protected marina, the wind decided to show off. We eagerly hoisted the sails and Novera leapt forward. With gusts pushing us to our fastest speed yet, we were flying — tacking, grinning, and having a great day sailing.

Feeling confident that our previous leak was sorted, Tim said, “Just check there’s no water now we’re heeling to starboard — that’s when it first appeared.” “No problem,” I replied… famous last words.

To my disappointment, the moment I lifted the mattress and board, there it was: water sloshing about like before. Not as bad as last time, but enough to sink our spirits a little. Typical — our best bit of real sailing yet, and we were loving every second… until we weren’t.

So, sails away, engine on, and a quick call to the marina to say we’d be arriving early.

Fortunately, Banyuls sur mer turned out to be fabulous welcome — a small, beautiful marina with stunning views and, crucially, a snack bar just two minutes away. We moored up, and having bailed out most of the water en route, grabbed our phones, and made a beeline for that bar. Beer was not optional.

What a brilliant spot it was. Friendly service, cold drinks, and paninis practically the length of my arm — and well the beer didn’t touch the sides.

After a bit of discussion and more research (and a lot of panini), we came up with a new theory about the leak and decided to head out for a short sail the next day to test it.

And finally — success! A valve in the stern head that isolates the water intake seemed to keep Novera completely dry. We were jubilant. The thought of halting our adventure for repairs had been a dark cloud hanging over us.

One thing that has made this whole experience so special is Novera’s previous owner. He has been AMAZING — Tim struck up an instant friendship, and he’s stayed in touch, offering advice and reassurance whenever we’ve needed it. When you buy a car or even a house, rarely do you stay in touch with the person who sold it to you, How lucky are we to be part of the Amel family and to have a great friend on speed dial.

With the leak fixed and no costly repairs looming, we relaxed and enjoyed Banyuls properly. It’s a fantastic place full of talented craftspeople — statues lining the beachfront walkway, and shops around the marina showcasing everything from paintings to pottery.

The food was another highlight. My salad arrived decorated with flowers and looked almost too pretty to eat. Paired with a chilled glass of rosé, it was one of those lunches you remember.

The next day we wandered further into town and stumbled upon a market. We nearly bought some beautifully painted plates and bowls with fish designs — we loved them — but the crockery already on Novera is great, so we decided to be sensible. It’s tricky, because it feels like a holiday at times, but this is our new way of living. We need to be mindful of the budget if we want to keep going. Marina fees, fuel, and the occasional fabulous lunch all add up.

So, after a lovely long weekend, we planned our next stop — a big day ahead and our first hop into Spain.

For our video clips click here or why not follow us on social media (click on the icons below)