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Christening


Eternaut moored at Hebe Haven
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Categories : Cruising

The christening of ETERNAUT was overdue. Not that I am superstitious, not that I believe in bad luck. My approach to things is mathematical and logical. I believe in science!

Still a proper christening for ETERNAUT appeared of importance to me: I do not want to be blamed for something I could have avoided. The Titanic sank on it’s maiden voyage… and it was not christened. We all know about that iceberg… maybe that cold block of frozen water believed in myths… you never know.

So, since ETERNAUT had been in the water for nine months already the christening was overdue. And she carried her name for a while already… bloody government rules 😉

The name ETERNAUT

I guess by the time you, dear follower, read these lines you have googled ETERNAUT already. And you found the comic ETERNAUT, first published in 1957. Let’s not get into the details about the why and how as it is not up to me to discuss political issues (from past – in respect to current events) on this blog.

What was most important when I heard about the comic “El Eternauta” first time was the comment of the journalist: “Eternaut, the eternal traveler”. And since then I had the name for our future boat in my head.

The speech

After greeting my guests I briefly introduced the name ETERNAUT:

Hilary in front of Eternaut

“She is designed to sail to far flung places

She is made to travel the world,

She is built to withstand the elements,

She is destined to travel eternally.

And thus we name her ETERNAUT.
The eternal traveler!”

Then it deemed appropriate to apologize to Poseidon as the christening had been delayed. Eternaut was carrying the name on her stern for a four months already. I mentioned Covid 19 restrictions and government rules while pouring a generous amount of Champagne for Poseidon. I hope we are forgiven.

The four rulers of the winds, Boreas, Zepheurus, Eurus and Notus also received their glass of champagne before the guests even had their first sip. Have to set priorities!

Finally we toasted to the sailors of old and to Eternaut.

The virgin we had selected to smash the bottle of champagne onto the bow was too virgin for the original – not prepped – glass container. Wish the french made boats and cars were of same quality as their glass.

Then my admiral, co-captain and wife (all-in-one) gave it a try. She also failed breaking the bottle. How can french glass be more stubborn than this fierce woman?

So the captain was called in to end the bottle of champagne of it’s misery. It was an easy task, but only as I had been forewarned: A powerful smack ended the bottle’s life and despite the containment bag (I admit: it was an old laundry bag) we fed Poseidon and the fishes with a lot of champagne and few pieces of broken glass.

Today, 48 hours later, the green branch of leaves rests still on the bow. And in respect to next days’ weather forecast we have reached a typhoon safe harbor.

Concluding we can say: The christening of ETERNAUT was successful… and we are forgiven as we did not cheat with a scoured bottle with some cheap imitation sparkling wine. For Poseidon, the four gods of the winds and our guests: only the best!

1 comment on “Christening

    Graßold Jürgen

    • September 13, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    Hey Hanno and Rita,
    As I see on the picture the registration in Jersey was successful !!!
    Congratulation for the christening of Eternaut. Now Poseidon and the four gods of the Winds may always grant favourable conditions for your eternal travels. Enjoy your great adventure around the globe.
    All the best! Greetings from Germany
    Jürgen

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