Thursday 3rd Nov 2022
We arrived at the marina around 4pm we filled our fuel tank to the brim costing us 0.670 Euro per litre and was then guided to our spot we were going to be in for the next 2 months. After securing Missy the first thing we did was go hunting for a restaurant that sold beer as it had been 4 days since our last top up and we were hungry too. This mission was easier than you think for a Muslim country. We messaged Martin and Clarissa to see if they were coming out for a beer too, as we had their wine to give them.
The couple joined us for a beer it was like bogof in english prices, a good catch up was achieved with both parties having had one nightmare story and for once ours was not the worse being told. They had travelled around from Bizerte just like us but they had done the journey in one therefore travelling at night.
Martin and Clarissa were sailing around the Cape Bon peninsula when they found themselves in trouble, the boat had sailed onto a load of floats tied together with 150mm dia rope. Their ordeal lasted 14 hours, Martin was able to cut the rope in the end with a knife and free themselves from what was thought remains from a fish farm.
After sleeping in late Friday I woke to go shopping with Clarissa so she could show me, where the food shops were. First we had to experience the 7 minute van ride to the next little village Hammamet Sud at a cost of 0.800 Dinar which was terrifying, I was amazed how the van passed its MOT. I soon realised that not all vans went that fast or their condition was that bad.
Shopping was like England use to be before all the big supermarkets took over and shut all the individual shops. Here there is still a butchers shop, veg shop, fish shop, bread shop with many more all had some of their produce on the path so easy to spot. I was a little surprised at the butchers road side display, a cow’s head with a pair of hoves. I soon learnt that they changed daily to include cock and balls too next to the head. Charity shops here are called frape shops I found leggings for 2.500 dinar what a bargin.
Friday nights are happy hours at the local Marina Palace Hotel which the Marina collaborates with so we can use the outside, inside pool and also the bar (pints have 10% off fridays). All boaters turn up at 7pm for beers and swop tales of adventures on the high seas. Also advice on completing boating jobs, where to source materials in Tunisia and any pits you may fall into along the way.
Apparently we were luckily as the Marina was hosting an event the next night at the hotel where free booze and dancing was going to be happening. Food was good but only Tunisian wine on offer so I had to buy my beer, no change there.
Our first boat job was to stop all stantions from leaking water into boat, all 16 of them.
We had to remove boat trim, ceiling panels and cupboard spaces to find all plates.
Jeanneau in their wisdom had used steel plates that rust, very well but had made sure all plates could be accessed in the future ….. umm. All plates cleaned, painted with a solution as to not re rust and sikaflex applied to stop water ingress. Job fully completed and considered to be a good one !!!! Hind sight is a wonderful thing, not leaking but rust still happening.
I soon settled into a routine of swimming, walking for exercise and boat jobs. Then the weather got too cold to swim, walks got repetitive and boring due to the area being small places either shut or closed for winter.
Before we knew it, it was December and I was searching for Christmas decorations in a country that did not celebrated it and I was missing home more, by now the street and house would of been fully decorated in England.
Friday night was always a highlight to look forward I got to talk to someone else and possibly drink too much. But as 25th approached people started to fly home to have Christmas with their families and we were left behind.
Mike and Joanne came to the rescue with some Christmas lights and a promise of Christmas Dinner happening at a local bar, where everyone turned up with different food on the day which made a buffet.
More boat jobs were being completed with daily missions out to source some part to complete the job. Major parts are just not available to purchase in Tunisia so we had ordered parts in the UK and had them delivered to Andy at his factory so he could ship them to us in Tunisia.
Our 1st box had arrived but we had to collect from the post office, a 40 mins taxi ride to Nabeul with our passports as proof of ID, handed over our ticket only to be told its with the Inspector. 2.5 hours later we went home with no parcel but instructions to print all invoices, boat papers and ID in duplicate and return tomorrow am. 4 parcels we had sent to us at Tunisia and we had to beg for all and bury them in duplicate copies of the same documents everytime so they could tag the parcel and make us take it to the Customs at the marina so they could open our parcel and vet the contents.
Christmas day arrived I made a nut roast in my rubbish boat oven it took hours and hours. A good afternoon had by all turkey, roast potatoes and all the trimmings it was delicious. A much needed day to feel the christmas vibe I love so much. Everyone was so welcoming, eager to chat as half these people live on their boat alone miles away from their family, friends and country.
New Years Eve turned out to be a spectacular night all for 40 quid a person, 7 course meal and entertainment with unlimited drinks even the beer.
After chatting with Hells I made my New Year’s Resolution – drink once a week and start the OMAD diet so I can where a bikini for summer. With 2 stone too lose i was going to have to be dedicated to my cause and faithful to myself.