Sailing around southern Brittany
Week 1
Monday 16th June
At 14:55 we dropped our mooring and sailed gently out of Cornwall, due south, across the English channel. It has been 3 years since we last made this journey. We had hoped to go last year but were prevented by engine difficulties.
It was mostly a good calm crossing to Brest appart from picking up some long strands of kelp in the engine water inlet as we approached to French coast. Brest marina was warm and sunny and enjoyable after our 24 hour journey. After a shower we enjoyed a meal in one of the marina restaurants. By 8pm we were struggling to keep our eyes open and were glad to have a good nights sleep.
Tuesday 17th June
At 9 in the morning we set off to find the douane office and get our passports stamped. After filling Captivas fuel tanks we mostly motored over calm seas to Ile de Sein. A slight mishap entering the harbour when we hit an unexpected rock. A bit scarey but lucklily Richard reversed quickly so we did not get stuck. We enjoyed a walk ashore and a cool beer watching a game of boules. We enjoyed a lobster salad at a restuarant we had been to previously before returning to the boat.
Wednesday 18th June
We removed our anchor from its bed of weed and sand and gently sailed and motored to Benodet. It was warm sitting in the cockpit under a blue cloudless. Hardly a ripple on the surface of the sea apart from plunging gannets and dolphins chasing a shoal of fish. Maisie joined us in the cockpit several times.
Arriving at 6pm we walked along the Odet river and had our first moules et frites (although the chips were not that great). After a wander around the town we needed a shower to cool off.
Thursday 19th June
We had a morning shopping trip and coffee in Benodet. We then motored to the Iles de Glennan, arriving at 3pm in time for a refreshing swim. We had a beer at Le Brochane bar, which happily hasn’t changed. It was very preaceful, we had never seen it so still here. We sat in the cockpit watching the sun go down.
Friday 20th June
A leaisurely day in Glennan. After breakfast we took the dingy ashore but noticed a couple chasing a lost dingy. Richard of course went to the rescue at the exact moment there was a sudden downpour. We both were absolutely soaked to the skin by the time Richard had done his good deed. Fortunately ater a walk around the islandand sitting on the beach, we were soon dry. After lunch on the boat we tried to eat out at Le Bouchane, but it was fully booked (lesson learnt). We had a meal on board and a peaceful evening.
Saturday 21st June, midsummer and longest day
Another gentle motor sail took us to Doelan, a small village north of Lorient. We last visited here in 2014. It is a lovely village with a small harbour where you can moor on two buoys with the help of the friedly harbour master.
We had intended to walk around but it was so warm we just took the coast path to a beach and a swim. The salt was quickly washed off by another sudden rain shower. We had an evening meal ashore but unfortanately the resaurant had changed hands and wasn’t as good as we remembered.
Sunday 22nd June
We sailed to Ile de Groix intending to stay two nights. Unfortunately a rally was arriving the next day so were only able to stay un nuit. We had a gallete onshore for lunch and a gentle wander around the port (it was very warm). We had a beer then returned to the boat for our evening meal.