Hello Mirabella

Lake Zurich — Imperia

Our house at Lake Zurich has been cleared and handed over to our tenants. We are grateful for the great support from our family and friends, without whose commitment we would still be packing and cleaning today. Silvio drove to Imperia and back in advance together with our friend Stefan and a car loaded to the brim. Over the last few weeks, a lot of people toasted with us and at some point Silvio’s keg of home-brewed ‘ByeBye beer’ was empty.

On August 3rd, after a farewell and August 1st party and after three nights with our friend Mirella and family, we took the train to board Mirabella in Imperia, Liguria.

Here we start our adventure and get ourselves and our ship ready for the journey. The berth is paid for until August 17th and then we set off towards the coast of France and the Balearic Islands.

Three weeks ago, Joséphine and Chloé got to know their new home for the next few months, as we went to Imperia in July to get to know each other and transport a few boxes well ahead of time. The two already know gelaterias, pizzerias, the beach, and the cableways at the fair right in front of the harbor very well. They also know the safety rules on the boat - where does the life jacket zone start?

The question “Where is Mirabella?” has since been resolved. They could prepare themselves with pictures and stories of the previous owners and are now ready to fill their new home with life.

In Imperia, we explore the new surroundings by dinghy, scooter, or on foot and set up the ship comfortably. Silvio has already started to work on the first maintenance projects. We removed one of our two water tanks because a piece of sheet metal had to be re-welded. Luckily we were able to win Gabriel, a retired Swiss who lives in Imperia, for this project. Satisfied, we received the repaired tank, reinstalled it, and were even allowed to use Gabriel and Kathrin’s pool, what a pleasure!

After a little more than a week on the ship, we dare the first trip with Mirabella. There is even a bit of wind and so we can already set sail for the first time. The feeling of leaving the safe harbor with your ship is completely new to us and makes our palms sweaty. The children find the sailing and the first heeling exciting and funny and do gymnastics like little monkeys on the handrails and slide back and forth on floor cloths. After we moor safely at the harbor we are quite proud and of course, we have to have a toast immediately.

After further explorations in Imperia, settling in on the ship, shopping, and making sure everyone is doing well and bathing in the sea, again and again, we are soon ready to venture out of the safe harbor and set off. (A.)