Our EU/Schengen clock is ticking away fast and so we need to get moving out of the Schengen area. Americans are only allowed to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within a 180 day/6 month time span (there are 20+ EU countries in the Schengen zone which allows for borderless travel). We’ve explored the long-term stay visa options for France and Spain, but COVID has made obtaining a long-stay visa quite difficult. We’ve been here about 40 days, and we need to “save days” to get the boat back to Spain while we leave it to come home for a bit in the Fall. So we’re going to Croatia which is not part of the Schengen zone (even though it is part of the EU), and planning to spend about 6 weeks there to “stop” our 90 day clock.
We really wanted to spend more time in France, and visit Italy and Greece, and bought the cruising guides intending to do so. But those countries are all in the Schengen Zone and so we’ll just have to read about them and wave as we pass them during our long passage to Croatia.
In addition to studying the cruising guides, we had a few more training sessions. Anthony attended a 2 day engine maintenance course to learn more about the Volvo engines we have. Some of the anchorages we hope to visit are remote, so cruisers must learn how to perform many maintenance tasks for themselves. It also saves money. While he was learning how to change the oil in the engine, I was getting medical training from an emergency physician named Martin. He is the doctor onboard helicopters when stranded/injured sailors need to be rescued, and he served as the onboard physician for a French research vessel in Antarctica.
Martin was a wonderful teacher and we covered a lot of ground in our 2 days.
These photos show how much – back/neck injuries, ankle sprains, injections, and stitching wounds. After the course, he sent a 4 page Excel spreadsheet listing all of the items/drugs we should have on board. Sheesh. No matter how much medical stuff we have, I hope no one ever gets hurt on our boat.
We’re still working to pare down the list of things that need to be done to the boat. The picture shows Fred working to replace our inverter. He’s kneeling in an opening beneath our seats.
This is Stephane – the mastermind of the inverter solution. In fact, the Outremer engineering office told him it wouldn’t work, but he proved them wrong – and he’s pretty chuffed with himself as well!
Unfortunately, we had to add an item to the list when Moxie got a booboo (on 5/30/2021). The boat to the left of us (see image) – Vela Luz – was headed out for a lovely Sunday afternoon sail. But as he was leaving, one of the stern lines got stuck and caused his starboard stern to pivot right into our hull with a loud bang! It was an accident, but a sinking feeling all the same – like the feeling you get when someone has left a serious door ding in your brand-new car. The impact left a dent in the hull, a large scratch, and tore the bottom edge of our graphic, but the Outremer service techs fixed it the next day.
We’ve been waiting for the right wind conditions and it looks like we’ll leave tomorrow (June 4th). Depending on the winds, it could take anywhere from 8 -10 days to reach Dubrovnik, Croatia (~1000 nautical miles). It’s time to leave the shelter of this marina; we are excited and nervous at the same time – Excited to visit a new country, but it’s our first passage in 15 years! If you’d like to follow our path, you can find us on www.vesselfinder.com, using our boat name. There are several USA boats name “Moxie”, but we’re the one in France! Off we go….
All the best to you as you head to Croatia.
I spent time in Dubrovnik as a child. It was such a beautiful place. I hope your voyage goes smoothly. I’m praying for y’all!
Thanks Amy – Always nice to be prayed over! 🙂
Oh how I love reading about your preparations. I love how you had to each take your respective training. I’d trust you Janice with stiching me up. I’ve heard such amazing things about Croatia. I’m sure it will be an amazing experience.! Can’t wait to hear about it.! All our best! Safe travels, Jeff and Dina
I could probably stitch you up, but the scar might be a little ugly! Ha! Miss you guys!
Wishing you smooth sailing and a fantastic trip to Croatia
Thanks for the good wishes Anne – We’ll take them!