De-masting for a MASSIVE river trip!

 Sea air has such an 'aliveness' found nowhere else, so I wonder how our yacht and selves will feel travelling the Mighty Rhone and French canals. First job - every sailing rope comes down to be washed, softened, dried and stowed away. We have height restrictions on the next leg of our journey. Nous voyageons donc sans voiles et sans mats. We must travel without sails and masts!

Greg removing booms from our masts.

Greg constructs mighty supports for our masts at bow, midships and stern (above)

One of many pensive moments before de-masting.

I make detailed diagrams of wiring from masts. Under those caps a myriad of wiring.

And ages straightening and removing split pins from all the bottlescrews at the base of the rigging ( I could have been a dentist)

No going back - young man fixes the crane hoist to the top of our Missen mast

Greg watching from below

If only the French had a word for laissez-faire LOL - the crane operator encompasses 'laid back' - maybe texting his lady.

Greg's got a strong left arm :)

Missen beng dropped onto temporary quay rests.

Stern support - so weird not having missen mast in cockpit.

Where the foot of the mast normally sits.

Main mast suspended over water

Oh My - like a bird without her feathers for now. White net over sprayhood keeps biting insects out of our water home. Greg will be removing the instruments at top of mast when we come stern to pontoon. Busy old day!

Cold beers and a wonderful view to celebrate a great days work.