Ecotroll arrived in Lyon this morning! While we were letting Vagabond at Brest Harbour, where she will be quietly waiting for us until Autumn, Ecotroll was sailing up the river Rhone... Amazing to meet with her this morning on river Saône, and especially to steer her across old Lyon! Tonight, Aurore and Léonie are sleeping peacefully in their new cabin, France and me are enjoying Ecotroll's large and comfortable saloon. Departure party will be Friday, with a show from La Batook! Then, heading to Greenland...

Read today's Telegramme article.

New photo album on line: sailing in Norway, skiing in Lyngen's Alps, then journey from Tromsø to Brest, via snowy fjords, Shetland Islands, Caledonian Canal, Irish Sea and the Channel...

On that Easter Sunday, Vagabond entered the Moulin Blanc harbour! 1714 Nautical Miles in 18 days to go from Tromsø to Brest, the home towns of Léonie and Aurore: the two ship's girls were on the pier, tonight, with France, to welcome their Vagabond... They have never seen her so far from the Arctic!

At Måløy, a short stop overnight, then Vagabond left Norwegians fjords, protected, to cross the North Sea, rougher! Two days and half a dozen of oil rigs later, here we are in Lerwick, Shetlands, warmly welcomed by Leslie. Close friend of Norwegian Blue's crew, which was together with us in the Northwest Passage in 2003, he is following Vagabond since. Great stories to share, discovering the islands and taking of the boat before sailing to Scotland, as soon as weather will be fine.

Yesteday afternoon, Vagabond crossed the Polar Circle. She has been in the Arctic for almost six years! She will go back next year, after the good refit planned in Brest.

There is not much snow anymore on the mountains along the fjords, temperature is rising and the stove can be turned off during the day! Wind is pushing us and northern lights are looking after us during night watches...

In a few hours, Vagabond will be leaving Tromsø. Piem, André, Stéphane and me are heading for Brest. We will never forget the last downhill ski trips, in Lyngen's powder...

Since last week, Vagabond has got back her family crew. Léonie had her third birthday on board (like previous ones!), and her younger sister is adapting well to her floating home. Sky is still blue, temperature increased from -15°C to -8°C, and first of all wind stopped. Conditions are now perfect to welcome our friends and sail in the fjords for about 8 days, heading to Tromsø. A little bit further, in the Lingen Mountains, Vagabond will then take a group of mountain skiers to some unusual summits. What a pleasure to sail in winter, even above the Arctic Circle! Thanks to the Gulf Stream, there is no pack ice here, and the fjords are well protected from the open ocean.

Mid-March, Vagabond will be heading for Brest... just on time for us to embark on board Ecotroll!