Stormy Winds & Turbulent Tummies

The stretch of France we’re currently calling home is where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean—a place known as much for its stunning coastline as for its infamous mistral winds.

Locals tell us March has been a bit unusual this year, with more rain and cooler temperatures than expected. But the mistral is living up to its reputation. Gusts regularly push past 40 knots in the harbour, giving us a proper initiation into life afloat falling asleep to the creak of fenders, and the pull and groan of ropes—Add to that our ongoing battle with tummy bugs (yes… my turn this now), and it’s fair to say our endurance has been tested.

And yet—not once have I felt like jumping on a plane home.

There’s something about Novera. She feels safe and surprisingly like home already. And even when the wind howls, the sunshine still manages to warm us. The water continues to sparkle with the twinkles I love so much, and every evening we enjoy a stunning sunset. So despite the stormy winds and turbulent tummies—we’re still smiling.

Tim, now thankfully on the mend, hasn’t slowed down for long. He’s been busy getting things shipshape: cleaning out the water tanks so we’re confident for washing up and showers (we never drank from the campervan tank either, so no change there). The lazarette has had a proper sort-out too—we’re making room for folding bikes ahead of returning the hire car in a few days.

We’re also getting a bit more “connected” out here. Starlink is now up and running, and we have a little friend from home “Alexa” to play the radio and our favourite songs all powered by 12 volts. It’s the little technical touches that help us stay in touch with the world and feel settled.

With a bit of luck—and perhaps a few Imodium—we have another few hours training with Luc. Any advice from someone who’s crossed the Atlantic twice is definitely worth listening to.

So here’s hoping the winds ease, our stomachs settle, and we finally get to raise the sails and feel Novera glide as she was meant to.

A few pics from our week

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