France
25 July 2015
So we arrived safe and sound no matter what the cat says. So to re-cap, Liz's lucky Chinese cat has been waving every morning that we decided to depart a port and has sent us on our way thinking luck was on our side. However, this theory was given a broadside on the channel crossing, he didn't wave once and we arrived safely. Never mind the cat, we will be making our own luck from now on! But we'll keep him all the same, along with the holy Water and the Lucky Dollar, you never can be too careful, and there wasn't a sailor that set sail that wasn't superstitious.
North Brittany
So L'Aber-Wrach isn't that interesting to be honest. A charming vista, nice Moule Frites (Mussels and chips) though. We decide to leave the following morning and sail through the Chenal du Four at breakfast time, any early night then. HaHa! no chance, a nice couple next door invite us to see charts and pilot books for good anchorages and places to visit in Brittany, they are regulars it seems and needless to say there is beer and wine involved. They have a wonderful Deck Saloon, Wauquiez 40 yacht which gives great views while sitting in the saloon. Boat envy once again!! Leslie and Viv set us right and off we go. Alarm is set for 0430, ugh!
We eventually leave at 0600 along with others in the pack to run south towards Brest. Another beautiful morning scuppered by fog outside the channel, anyway, radar, engine, AIS all on and off we go, no wind.
I expected the channel to be faster, but we have missed the best of it, the fog begins lifting just in time for all the small fishing boats, anglers and fair weather boaters to get in our way. Very strange fog, I can see the hull of boats, cants see their cabins or cockpits and I can see the tops of the masts, weird!! The lighthouse at Point du Four floats by rather closer than I thought it would, but we are bang on track.
We are heading for an anchorage south of Brest and the wind kicks in mid afternoon so we can sail to the anchorage just off a popular beach. Drop the pick, jump in for a swim, now we're talking!!
Customs pay us a friendly visit, documents and a quick look around, they even have sailing shoes on!! Very attentive!! Not sure what he thought of Liz's unmentionables drying in the saloon. Nice job if you could get it!!
Two days at anchor for sleep, maintenance and cleaning, how glamorous this yachting life is.
Douarnenez
Sail off our anchor (like Pro's) all the way to Douarnenez, we'll hide from the weather here, charming town, lot's of wooden boats. The lady from the marina takes our lines, I ask about a restaurant and it seems she has spent lunch time in the BEST place in town!! Totally pissed of course!! Love it. So that's it, back to the weather religion for me and picking a window to run across Biscay in. Looks good for this week some time. I decided to shave today!! And while I'm scraping away the months of ginger a couple sneak into a shower cubicle behind me, together!!! What!!! I suddenly feel old, shave faster and get back to the sanctity of our mighty vessel!! Vive le France!!
It's raining, that's why Brittany is green I suppose!! Ah well, you could spend years in Brittany. Next time!! With a Deck Saloon!!