1st July , Camaret

We had a look at the weather in Loctudy and it looked quite promising for crossing to the Scillies overnight on the 3rd July – so we have move a little closer to the crossing point. We left Loctudy knowing that it would be a long motor to get here but a motor to Camaret was more acceptable than a motor from Camaret to the Scillies. However, we left about 9:30 so that we could get past the couple of headlands with the tide not too strongly against us (it wasn’t going to be perfect, and we played the inland route past the Raz de Sein to make use of the counter-current (which made a big difference to us as we caught up on the boats that had left 45 minutes before us when they were plugging away in the middle of the channel and not making much headway).

Luctudy is a lovely wee town and the marina ( you could also use the buoys in the river) had free WiFi, free use of bicycles which made it easier to get to the Carefour, about 1 mile away; and there was no noise from the town or disturbance from the fishing fleet. Absolutely wonderful! Diesel was 1.07 € unlike Herbaudier which was 1.19 €. This year in France we have also been very pleasantly surprised by the attitude of the locals – 2007 they seemed very discourteous and rude (with the odd exception) – this year they are all very friendly , polite and excellent hosts. We have put it down to the fact that we are earlier in the season this year and may be they were fed-up with tourists from across the Channel by the time we got there in 2007. Who knows?? The main thing that we have realised is that the image we got in 2007 stayed with us ( until proved wrong this year ) ! When anyone meets a foreigner (or tourist of any nationality) they are representing their country – they should give the visitor a good image to take away with them.... (rant over.)

We are currently checking which stuff we need to buy before leaving France that may be cheaper than in UK ( not onions – 2.50€ per kilo - 60 cents in Spain ). It may be worth getting some of the fermented grape-juice that seems quite popular out here – even though they sell it in plastic bottles… We also need to get some meat & veg to last us a few days because we may anchor at Ouessant before crossing or go straight to the Scillies ( not sure yet ).