Sat 4th Aug
After making use of the gratis WiFi access at Café Steven in the ‘arty’ sector of Camaret on Friday night and another night on the buoy we left at about 9:30 French time (1 hour ahead of UK time although its on the same longitude ???). We headed for Iles de Glenan which the pilot book described as ‘the closest to the Caribbean you could get in S Brittany’… every man & his boat was there to greet us ( and greet we did) we were hard pushed to get an anchorage never mind anywhere near the shore, the water was not crystal clear as described. So we parked where we could and left the next morning for Belle Ile.
Sun 5th
Moved from Ile de Glenan to Belle Ile but that was absolutely mobbed when we got there and no suitable anchorage so we continued on down to Ile Houat (about another 2 hours). The anchorage was good holding (just as well with 28 knots overnight) but again very busy, nothing worth visiting ashore so move on next day.
Mon 6th
Had a good although lumpy sail down to Ile de Yeu and arrived about 7:30 local time. The pilot book recommended phoning ahead to reserve a place so we did – ‘we have many places, just come, it’s OK’ . When we arrived a boat met us to say that the marina was full and to raft up outside (next to the ferry jetty). We were 4th boat out on a row of 6 and there were 7 other rows like it. Just as well we didn’t go anywhere though because all of a sudden the word is ‘we can’t stay here – nobody can..’ . So we all have to move into the fishing boat harbour – absolute mayhem and no room for a rowing boat by the time everyone had finished. Best bit is we all do it again in the morning to get into the marina after the morning leavers have left. Tested the driving skills, and not a great deal of fun in a long keel boat – OK for those with modern boats & bow thrusters.
Tues 7th
We need to catch up with laundry, showers, shopping, email etc so will stay at least today and maybe tomorrow. Updating this from a lovely little (but v. busy) town & island , photo's next time.
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- Balchis
- Catch up on where we are and see some pictures. Balchis is a 32 1/2 foot Barbary Ketch designed by Walter Rayner and built in 1972 by Mitchells of Poole. Normally sailed on the west coast of Scotland (the Inner Hebrides) but also Ireland, Isle of Man and as far down as the Scillies. The outline plan is to leave Loch Feochan during the first week in July 2007 and end up in The Scillies by about the 24th July (via Canna). Then wait for favourable conditions to cross to North West Spain and head South at a leasurely pace to the Algarve for about October (- ish). For 2008 we are heading into the Med and the Balearics and then we will see which way the wind is blowing us... Been there - now heading back to Scotland during 2009.
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