The job seemed pretty simple: get the boat from Martigues to Barcelona. So, I teamed up with Luca to get it done.Time was tight, considering we had only a few days off, and the weather was playing a big role. We were crossing our fingers for good conditions.
The big question: go straight for the quicker route or stick to the coast for safety, especially since my EPIRB wasn't working? With Luca heading back to Switzerland soon, we went with the safer coastal route.
The adventure kicked off as soon as I landed. Before setting sail from Martigues, I had some errands, like returning the empty trailer. But, no car with a trailer hitch and no clue where to rent one meant relying on the kindness of strangers. Shoutout to a lovely lady from "Moules Mania" who called her friend with a car, saving the day.
But, in the midst of all this, I started feeling sick – dizzy, weak, and with a cold. Worried we might have to cancel, I crashed in a hotel for a night. Luckily, I woke up feeling way better the next day, and finally, Luca and I were ready to set sail.
The sensation of packing everything onto the boat, untying the lines, and leaving the port without knowing exactly what lay ahead was simultaneously frightening and exhilarating.
Then, there's the toe saga. I'd smacked it a week ago, and what started as a bruised nail turned into a blood-filled bubble. Walking barefoot on the boat was a must to avoid popping it. Trust me, it wasn't pretty! By day two, we made a pit stop near Montpellier around 10 PM. Recognizing my toe situation was urgent, I hit up the local hospital.
Three hours of waiting, and the doctor nonchalantly says, "Je dois faire un trou" ("I must make a hole"). With a giant needle, he drills through my nail, releasing a lot of blood.
Unpleasant, but necessary. The doctor bounces, offering minimal info, and the nurse isn't much help either.The real drama hit at 3:30 in the morning when I left the hospital in the middle of nowhere.
No buses, no taxis, and I'm stuck in shorts and a sweater. Annoyed and freezing, I start walking towards the port. After 20 minutes, I decide to hitchhike, and surprise, someone actually picks me up and takes me straight to the boat. Unexpected twist!
Back on the boat around 4:30, I grab a quick two-hour nap before we continue our journey to Perpignan.
