The Univers of Didier Bovard (InDy)

The Univers of Didier Bovard (InDy)

Between Evian and Memphis

Building "My Way"

	Septembre 1996, "My Way" va naître sur ses gabarits.		Septembre 1996, fixing of the calibre. The fir tree laths are glued and fixed fith a fibreglass tissue which will give the hull its stiffness and waterproofness.
	Pose des lattes en sapin.		Serre joints, sangles pour assurer le collage.
	October 1996, MY WAY sports my favorite colors : black, a protective layer to prevent fouling and red for security at sea..		After installing the cabin, the mastication and sanding will give the last touch to the profiled form of the boat. Little by little, from dawn to dusk, "MY WAY" comes to life.
	The boat's " engine " leads a two blade helix, which rotates about 200 rpm at cruising speed. Another, more powerful speed enables me to get out of potential danger (cargos for example).		Daniel Oberson (Cycles Cilo, Shimano) et Raymond Morerod (Chantier naval Morerod).
	Novembre 1996 Séquence émotion : "mon bébé est mis à l'eau".		Essai de retournement de"My Way".

Remembers from previous crossing

	In his mind, the dream. The Atlantic is already in his eyes.		Starting from Evian for the first time supported by "King", his dog.
	Alone in the swell.		Elle s'approche de "My Way" comme pour l'encourager.
	One of his "followers" : the sea fish.		A turtle comes up to "My Way" to support him.
	In front of the infinite beauty.
	Inside "My Way" : loneliness and warmth.		Arrival during the night at the "Désirade". "My Way" on the "Souviens toi".
	Proud and happy to show "his crossing" .		The "Désirade", Guadeloupe : Yvan - Didier - Mathias.
	"My Way" in Martinique.		Fort-de-France : unloading of "My Way".
	Annie and Daniel, his "angels" on the radio.		"My Way" is sleeping under the snow, waiting for the next crossing in 2001.

Visit "My Way"

	"MY WAY" on dry land at the Marin yacht club.		One last farewell before the new adventure.
	A warm hello to my CB friends.		A well deserved rest !
	A solar panel.		Aerating solar hood and the antenna base.
	The floating anchor.		At the port back side : a little kitchen.
	The bed.		The tub is under the seat.
	On the starboard wall : a large band radio and goggles.		Didier in his pedaling position.
	The starbord wall : water maker - On the front : the pre-filter.		Two of the five waterproof boxes at the back of the boat.
	On board library.		The bed : one of the six waterproof boxes is under the mattress.
	Front port side : water maker and the pre filter.		At the back : a gaz cartridge for the hot plate.
	Starboard front side : wedge pump and storage.		At the back : a battery and my fresh water reserve in jerry cans.
	The electric board.		The two blade helix and the rudder.
	The CB and GPS always at the back port side.		De-hydrated food, on the front a humidity absorber on each side of the bed.

2001 : Crossing the Atlantic

	"MY WAY" in Las Palmas (Grand Canary) before it's taken to Puerto Rico in the Southern part of the island.		Las Palmas : Alexando, a Sicilian friend from the road repairs the saffron broken while embarking in Cadix.
	A small bag of dehydrated food, some warm water…		... 5 minutes of waiting and dinner is served.
	READING or how to escape to another world.		The cowboy is listening.
	The cowboy is preparing a lemon to fight against scorbut.		DANGER: Luckily, the cargos will always remain glued to the horizon.
	Messages of love and friendship written on parchments by French students and thrown in the middle of the ocean.		After having carefully inserted the parchments inside the bottles, a special care has to be put into warping.
	In the middle of the Atlantic, I drink to Frédéric's health.		A bottle in the sea for a new millennium.
	RESPECT OF THE NATURE In the middle of the garbage, my seat damaged by hours of pedalling.		RESPECT OF THE NATURE Garbage accumulated during 88 days : aluminium, plastic and 9 large garbage bags.
	A overwhelming and peaceful view.		Power and contrasts.
	"Chocolate-hazelnut" : faithful on its spot.		A sea swallow: Bonnie waiting for Clyde.
	The trip from Grand Canary to Cape Green after a month of a difficult journey.		Ear balls, mandatory for a good rest.
	EXOCET: A flying fish glued to th hood.		MY LUCKY STAR After passing thru the gates of Salines (oubien the salt works), in southern Martinique, a key part of the transmission breaks few hours later in the creek of Marin. I have to be towed.
	Arrival in the Marin marina.
	MARTINIQUE My friends of (radio) waves at my arrival in Marin.		April 2001, receiving Marin's Medal.

2002 : From West Indies to USA

	MARTINIQUE (12.03.2002) Didier, ready to go with pedal power.		MARTINIQUE: "My Way" at Marin Yatch Harbor, with fresh antifouling courtesy of Carenantilles Boat Yards
	MY WAY: Fresh antifooling and logos.		Arielle Cassim, "RFI's Voice" with Didier.
	MY WAY A very small boat.		Didier's friends : Bernard and Ernest.
	Reparing the seat of "My Way".		Reparing the seat of "My Way".
	"My Way" in "Carene Antilles" shipyard.		Puting the Cystic Fibrosis sticker.
	Come back to the sea with fresf antifooling.		To the sea.
	Messages from schools.		Putting messages in the bottles.
	Delphinia and Genesis.		Departure from West Indies : Friends on "Bellatrix" encouraging me.
	Food and beverage.		During the meal, this boat come back after 20 minutes to see if everything was OK.
			On the radio : "My Way, My Way, it's OK ?" "It's OK Captain, it's OK, Thank you !" A true Captain !
	This is for me !		Caribbean Sea It's there again !
	Gulf of Mexico : Chapi and Chapo...		Gulf of Mexico Bigger an bigger !
	Figaro is very pleased : we have seen some dolphins !		Hummm ! Delicious !
	Gulf of Mexico Well, we'll see tomorrow for swiming !		Beauty !
	Un grand bateau pour un petit bonheur, coca, eau, biscottes.... Paquebot Grec, Golfe du Mexique. J'étais gêné de me montrer devant tous ces gens... La pudeur du Montagnard !		Supplied by the "Olympia Voyager" in the Gulf of Mexico.
	After Timbalier, Leeville From left to right : the sheriff, myself, sheriff assistant and Elmo.		Gulf of Mexico : One of the thousand platforms.
	Fasten to my buoy : watching to the boats !		France and USA in the same way !
	Timbalier Island : Peace and quiet !		Arrival in Leeville.
	Blanca Island - Yucatan		Lee and Elvis !
	"My Way" out of the sea.		Denny and Lee With my adventure, one cibist from canada and one from Louisiana met themselves. This is true friendship !
	Denny is leaving to Canada		Lee's friend : Glenn, also cibist.
	Cleaning "My Way".		10 bags of garbage. With me, the sea will stay clean !
	Grand Isle : Key to City.		Lee is repairing the antena.

2002 : On the road to Memphis

	Before going to Memphis, everything is OK ! "My Way" on a boat trailer, and a bike for Didier. With Lee at his left and Michaël at his right.		Pause near road 51. Very important : food and drink.
	For the night : a place to sleep.		Preparing freeze-dried food.
	To bed !		Also the bike is sleeping !
	It's so hot !!		Memphis, at least !
	Memphis, at least !		Graceland : "My Way" near the Heartbreak Hotel.
	Graceland : Elvis' mansion.		King's grave.
	King's grave at night.		Graceland.
	Graceland : Elvis' story.

September 2002 : "My Way" at Le Havre

	"My Way" on its open container.



	Warmly reception.		From left to right : Didier Belloeil from Terminaux de Normandie Didier Bovard, Valérie Menguy from MSC, Mediterranean Shipping Company and Dominique Denommey from Dimotrans Overseas Service.
	"My Way" on its boat trailer.		A mobile crane near "My Way".

21.09.2002 : Evian's arrival

	In Thonon les Bains station - (29.08.02)		Arrival in Thonon les Bains station - (29.08.02) Waiting for Didier : Family, friends and Mr Marc francina, Evian's mayor.
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) Before last mile : Didier is waiting.
			Back to Evian (21.09.02) Before last mile : Didier is ready !
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) "My Way" is gliding on the Léman.		Back to Evian (21.09.02) The Squadron !
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) Head of the squadron : Evian's Mayor !		Retour à Evian (21.09.02) Félicité par des personnalités Haut-Savoyardes De droite à gauche : Marc Francina, Maire d'Evian et vice-président du conseil GénéralMonsieur Jean-Claude Carle, Sénateur de la Haute-Savoie, Monsieur Gérard Carrier, Président des Virades de l'Espoir et Monsieur André Crépy, Conseiller Général de la Haute-Savoie.
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) With his mother and brothers. From left to right : Pascal, Didier, Lucienne and Franck Bovard.		Back to Evian (21.09.02) Port of Evian : Arrival to the place number one.
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) Port of Evian : Arrival to the place number one.		Back to Evian (21.09.02) People waiting for Didier.
	Back to Evian (21.09.02) Friends near the "My Way".		Back to Evian (21.09.02) For Didier, it's time to talk a little.