After a few “breaks” offering us “breathing space” from Obélix, once at Salomé’s uncle’s, once in Arles, I have to confess I jumped the step and actually cheated on our beloved round bellied travelling companion, I had a one night stand with another boat…Actually, I am still with her as I write these lines. Wonderful, that’s her name, is one of the sexiest beast there is roaming our oceans. Cat woman, there’s no mistake, her purr is not of soothing nonchalance, but more of a restrained snarled, ready to burst out into a full fledged roar, like a Ferrari screaming down the tarmac. Because that’s what she is, a Ferrari of the seas, even if we don’t get to experience it on the leisurely delivery trip from St Tropez back to La Grande Motte, lack of wind oblige. Still, yesterday we were doing 10kt upwind in 10kt wind, and she was nimbly accelerating after each tack, with each puff, with any inflexion of the helm. She’s tall too, at 72’, 32.6m top of the mast, down to 3.8m bottom of the daggerboard, the mensuration of a top model. Everything is “top” onboard, and the mix of top model, Olympic champion, race car turned luxury apartment is maybe a bit too much for me. Tonight I’m going to return to the coziness and warmth of our “cave” down into Obélix’s round belly. The familiar surroundings, freshly repainted by Salomé, inhabited by all the memories, and hours of love to care for her, and the care Obélix took of us too. Maybe that’s what true love is all about: shared memories and mutual care, with dreams to share ahead too !

So yes it is ! I am going back to Obélix, plainly satisfied, with a sparkle in my eye of that Wonderful moment I spent with the sexy cat goddess, and all the more happy for it !