Regatta Day 1
02 June 2011
Day 1 of the Semaine
The whole fleet left Crouesty to sail in through the narrows at Port Navalo, and we all processed up to the Ile d'Arz where the kind natives had cooked 800 portions of paella. The bay was completely full of wooden boats of every conceivable kind – a 20' Dutch clog boat with huge lee boards that looked like big Spaniel's ears – local fishing boats with lateen rig – loads of little sail and oar – and La Récouvrance, the local tall ship which presides over most Breton classic regattas.
In the afternoon we took the tide up to Noyalo, and on up the river. Going aground for the first time (in mud) was just the signal Ian needed to decide to go on further up. The second time he agreed reluctantly to turn round, and we drifted back to the anchorage of the Ile d'Arz for the night.
This is the scene at lunchtime.