Jump ing

 

 

 

Before Chelsea left for Bangladesh, we celebrated Easter early. We gathered together in Cassis because French Husband had a surprise to share with us. We knew the surprise, but didn't really believe it, could it really be as good as he was telling us. Not that he embellishes stories, or distorts the truth, far from it. Simply put, French Husband's surprise seemed way to good to be true.

 

Mr. Espresso gifted Chelsea with a new camera, a smaller one than her SLR, to take with her to Bangladesh. While we were in Cassis she tried out her new camera on us.

 

 

All the photos are from Chelsea.

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

Chelsea set her camera on a

timer, as she wanted us to jump.

But, we were either too soon, or too late, and could never get our groove on the right beat.

Personally, when they jumped high, I went bent down. I am a terrible jumper.

 

And that was just fine.

 

 I thought it would add contrast. In the end we were in the middle.

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

French Husband's family is from Bretagne. Sailing is French Husband first love. Unfortunately, I do not do any of the sports he does, but I might have to learn about sailing.

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

 

One of the first things we did when we bought the fisherman's house in Cassis, was sign up at the sailing club. Instantly, French Husband met some wonderful people. Long amazing story made short French Husband met a man, who knew a man, who bought a brand new boat, and wanted to give his old boat away. When French Husband told me about this, he literally was bouncing off the walls, that he was given a boat. I remember thinking, "it must be a junker, or an inflatable raft…"

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

 

So as we were together celebrating Easter, French Husband wanted to show us the boat. There are two ports in Cassis one is in the center of the town, and the other is nearby in Port Miou. 

One of the things Port Miou is famous for…

Cassis Stone

"…Quarries along the calanques have provided a dense white limestone for centuries. One of the first "modern" ones was the Cacau quarry in 1720. Cassis stone has been used around the world, for things as divers as the base of the Statue of Liberty, the Suez canal and the quays of Alexandria. Its durability makes it excellent for lighthouses, and it was used to build the Cassis lighthouse and the 60-meter high Marseilles lighthouse. You can still see ancient stone structures that were once used to load the tartins, sailing ships that transported the stone."

 

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

The lighthouse in Cassis is also made from Cassis stone from Port Miou.

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

 

As we walked the boardwalk to Port Miou, I imagined the boat to look like one of those that you see in the photo above.

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

 

French Husband stopped, stood proudly and said,

"This one."

We didn't believe him.

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

 

 

But indeed it was.

This sail boat was given to French Husband.

And French Husband decided to share half of the ownership with Rene.

It sleeps six.

 

Rene and his wife have four little boys.

 

 

 

 

 

Jump ing

 

What a lovely surprise;

a gift just like that,

a sail boat.

 

I guess I better learn a thing of two about boating.

 

 



Comments

52 responses to “The Gift of the Sea”

  1. Whew, I thought maybe he would say he is pregnant! A free beautiful boat in good condition sounds amazing. So very kind to share ownership with Rene the craftsman contractor.

  2. karen from ohio

    …AND FROM THE APT. WINDOW A BOAT APPEARED! THERE IS SOME
    MAGIC GOING ON …
    HAPPY SAILING!!!!

  3. If you need help sailing it, my dear son is enrolled at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a member of their ACAA Divison 1 sailing team as he has been sailing with his own boat since he was 8! He is 19 now! Joshua, and moi would be more than happy to come for a few weeks and give instruction! We had our own C & C 30 for years until my husband’s illness forced us to see! We love the sea!

  4. Jacklynn Lantry

    It is called karma. You and FH are lovely, generous, thoughtful, kind people. You are reaping what you sow. To share it with Rene and his family is such a wonderful thing! I think of the adventures, the stories you are “gifting” those 4 little boys:) I’m so happy for you!

  5. Oh, how fun!!! That’s a snazzy boat!! What will you name her? I think you should call it “The Kracken”…but only if you PROMISE to announce via loudspeaker or megaphone every time you sail through the port “RELEASE THE KRACKEN!” (Like in “Clash of the Titans”) Anyway, if I had a boat, that’s what would happen! 😉
    Enjoy!!

  6. What a beautiful blessing,,, you were might to be there in Cassis. That is a very pretty picture of you leaning against the stone, with the sea and the setting sun in the background.
    You have the look of joy, contentment and love in your expression.

  7. Barbara Blizzard

    Thank you for sharing the gift of your family – these are pictures to treasure for sure. Enjoy the sailing.

  8. Jennifer Phillipps

    What a lovely boat and a crazy family photo! Just promise that you will all have really good lifejackets when you go sailing. In NZ we have a big sailing culture and we also have far too many people drowning because they don’t wear life jackets….so they are very important….. Happy Sailing!!

  9. what an incredible gift…! here for 2 weeks .. might have to pop down and see you.!!!😘

  10. How exciting. We used to own a sailboat…..we sailed in the thousand islands area of the St. Lawrence river. There is a magical feeling when the wind catches the sail and all is quiet…except for the sound of the waves..
    Ali

  11. Leslie in Oregon

    That is a wonderful story!! Your sailboat is a mighty gift that is the perfect size for your family and for René’s. I hope that you come to love sailing as much as I do. My husband and I practically raised our two children, and our Golden Retriever Rosie, on our small sailboat, and that is where we five learned to work and play as a team and to love the water (whether we were on it or in it)! Congratulations!

  12. Bonnie Gale

    Thank you for sharing your happiness. Enjoy the boat and please continue to share.

  13. Wow that is just fabulous, it proves there are so many wonderful people in the world. I wonder did he get to keep the place in the marina with it too, because I know this is usually the most sort after thing and the very hardest to come by without being on a waiting list for years and sometimes decades!

  14. It’s beautiful! And how was the sail to the new port?

  15. c´est magique! et la vie est belle!
    je te souhaite des trés bels et inoubliables moments sur votre charmant voilier! salutations parfumées,
    Tina 😉

  16. What a wonderful delight! I love when the generosity of people overflows. How lovely for Yann and Rene and how wonderful of Yann to share it with Rene and his family. Love, love, love this and LOVE the pictures. I laughed every time I think of you “jumping.”

  17. What a wonderful gift! Congratulations Yann; the boat has gone to the best home and just like you to share in your good fortune with Rene. I see many joyful days together; have fun and be safe.
    A beautiful pensive photo of you Corey, love it! XX

  18. Blessed to be a blessing to others! Doesn’t get much better than this!! Make memories.

  19. rrkey3408@aol.com

    Hi Corey,
    It was lovely seeing you at Carpentras. I wish we could have spent more time together. Next time! And I don’t think I told Yann how nice it was to meet him, so very sorry. I was exhausted; airline mess up with Delta & it took a LONG time to get to France & many reroutings. I love your pictures of Cassis & I LOVE the boat story! Congratulations! And so amazing that you are sharing it with Rene; I know how hard he worked,
    Enjoy your summer!
    Rita

  20. Amazingly! Enjoy!

  21. What an absolute blessing! Karma! I love it when such serendipitous things happen to such wonderful, big-hearted people. And so glad Rene and his boys get the boat, too! You’re a boating family now!

  22. Sarah Desmarais

    the fact that he is sharing his gift with Rene and family explains everything. paying it forward. Awesome. xoxo

  23. Wonderful story. Excited for you!

  24. I just cannot stop laughing over the jumping photos, especially the last one.

  25. Sharon Morrison

    To those who give much, much is given.
    Life is beautiful if you just keep on, keeping on. I know your dear friend is delighted to have such a beautiful opportunity presented to him. He is a kind man and I have enjoyed watching his life. I hope his sons arm is healing well.
    Enjoy sailing if you can. Love love

  26. Happy photos, beautiful family…joy in the sharing of a beautiful gift of a lovely sailboat.

  27. Michelle Homer

    I agree with jacklyn. What a wonderful thing to share it with Rene! Enjoy your good fortune!

  28. Christmas in April! Not many things better than sailing on the water.

  29. Wow wow wow if this isn’t the perfect icing on the cake of Cassis – feels like both a full circle and a wonderful beginning. To not only be at the sea, but to now be on the sea, in what appears to be a beautiful boat! Seems magical. Some things are just meant to be. Congratulations to Yann!

  30. Marie-Noëlle

    No way !!! Can’t believe it !!! I am very pleased for Yann !!!
    As for you, I know you will manage the sailing (either before or against the wind) 😉

  31. Jacqueline Winters-Hall

    Congratulations! My father had a sailboat when I was a girl. I have very happy memories of sailing San Francisco Bay with him. It’s like flying. Enjoy Corey! ❤

  32. Andrea Hames

    That is some wonderful karma and well deserved. There’s a story in the press here about someone who is getting some negative karma, also very deserved, so I love your story. The boat is beautiful and sharing it with René and his family is the greatest! I’m jumping for joy for you all!

  33. julie holvik

    Congratulations, what a beauty!!!!

  34. it couldn’t have happened to nicer people… of course you shared your good fortune! it’s who you are! enjoy!

  35. charland

    This is all around perfect – for Yann, you, Rene and family. Happy, happy for you all.

  36. Diogenes

    That is a beautiful boat!

  37. Miss Bunny

    What a wonderful gift. And I love that you are sharing it with Rene & his family! Sharing the gift and love.

  38. Chico Sue

    What a wonderful gift! And the smile on Yann’s face is simply priceless! No doubt you will learn amazing things about sailing, just as you dive so enthusiastically into any of your new ventures. Smooth sailing to you all!

  39. Kathie B

    Not my comment, but I concur!

  40. Kathie B

    Now we’ll get to follow Corey as she redecorates the interior of the boat, amiright? With new challenges, like finding sufficiently lightweight appointments that function efficiently in tight spaces.
    A piece of advice from a friend who sailed singlehanded around the world: You can never have too many bungee cords on board, to hold things in place!!!

  41. Teddee Grace

    What a wonderful gift and surprise! This beautiful boat looks much more stable than the C-scows I attempted to learn sailing in on a shallow inland lake near Chicago. Tall masts and shallow drafts, they turned turtle if you sneezed! I also never could tie the requisite knots!

  42. How absolutely lovely to receive such a gift. Good for you! and how generous to confer half-ownership to René. French Husband is truly “paying it forward” … what an inspiration he is, as is the person who gave him the boat. -Kate

  43. Liana Munden

    Beautiful family pictures. I love the one of you all jumping! So funny and joyous. Good luck to Chelsea on her trip!!! What was the new camera she got. It took great pictures!
    Aloha from Hawaii

  44. Wow! What a dream come true for French husband. How I would love riding in that boat. How utterly wonderful!!!

  45. Ann of Avondale

    Happy sailing… an awesome gift. Does the boat have wifi? How will you stay connected?

  46. How cool is that?! I’m so excited for Yann and Rene…and of course for you, too, Corey. Now you’ll have a boat to decorate!

  47. What a wonderful gift! I grew up boating in the San Juan Islands in Washington & British Columbia. It is such a pleasure, so relaxing… nd a lot of fun for all! Congratulations!

  48. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    “ZOUNDS!!!!” say I.

  49. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    As to your learning about sailing, let me tell you this bit of sailing lore (sailing knowledge? sailors’ arrogance??) that my dad told me when he owned a day-sailor boat much smaller than your new one [You OWN a boat now!! Have you wrapped your brain around that yet??] and I was my dad’s 12 year old crew. We sailed on nice windy afternoons in the Oklahoma lake near our home.
    About who is on a boat:
    1. First and most important is the SKIPPER.
    (That would be my dad, and in your case Yann.) The skipper operates the tiller (ie “drives” the boat but never ever use the word “drives” to a real sailor) and determines where it goes/ how it gets there.
    2. Second and also very useful is the CREW.
    The crew sets the sails as told to do so by the skipper, changes sides to keep the boat from tipping over when you “come about” (= change directions), does the various grunt work that the skipper is too cool to do, and has a general understanding of what’s needed next, often before the skipper even has to say anything.
    And now to the truly pertinent parts:
    3. Third are the passengers who are called INTELLIGENT BALLAST.
    Intelligent Ballast people don’t know much about sailing but are intelligent enough to know which side of the boat they should be on to be good ballast and keep it from tipping over. (Read: always be on the higher side.)
    4. Fourth and most lowly are the passengers who are called SAND BAGS.
    They don’t know a damn thing about sailing but you like them enough to bring them along and tell them when to change sides and generally tolerate their cluelessness because they’re charming and fun and/or they brought the wine.

  50. YOU are so lucky!!! LOVE being on a sailboat 🙂 It has been .YEARS…on Paxkal’s Bucket List. I hope it will happen for him someday 🙂 One more chemo to go and then 3 months “rest” if the tests show it is still “stable”. We count our blessings. EVERY. SINGLE.ONE.

  51. Shelley Noble

    The boat is chic and deluxe but I was hoping Mr. Espresso had gifted Chelsea with something else, something small and pink! xoxo

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