Current position
48 38 84N
002 49 16W
Saint Quay Portrieux
We slipped our lines at Saint Cast and headed for Saint Quay Portrieux. A cracking sail, F4-5 with wind from the SW. A total of 24 miles and Stiletto loved it. The sails were beautifully well trimmed and she flew. St Quay Portrieux is also accessible at any state of the tide - no sills, no locks so we headed for the visitors pontoon which was empty and we chose our berth, tied up and went up to the office. We were asked if we had called ahead on the radio to which we replied we hadn't as the place was empty and we didn't think it necessary. At every other port it is accepted that you just rock up and choose a berth. Admittedly in the height of the season it would be very different. Clearly we were a bit naughty by not calling ahead. Then, for the first time on this adventure we were asked for ships papers which we explained, were on board. I had made up a folder of all the paperwork connected with the purchase and ownership of Stiletto, proof of VAT payment, registration document and our own certificates of competence. Up till now we hadn't been asked even for passports so had become a bit complacent. I volunteered to go get the folder when a very English voice, which belonged to one of the marina staff, said as long as we had an SSR number visible then that was OK. ( SSR - Small Ships Register, all craft have one). Of course we do, so he was happy and said he would make a note of it later. The place is obviously very, very busy in the height of the season but we seem to be one step ahead of the game and everywhere we have visited has been blissfully quiet. Tom Cunliffe, writer of Pilot Books and articles for sailing magazines and our guru, described St Quay as uninspiring. He was spot on. It was bland, not particularly attractive and dead!! We wandered around the streets, saw about 6 other people and we were expecting to see tumbleweed rolling down the main road and a couple of cowboys on the roof tops!!. The only restaurant open was way back close to the marina and when Andreas commented that he was now "shell fished out" we chose to go there and eat meat!! It appeared that this was where every body was as it was busy. We sat outside in the warm end of the day sunshine and each had a filet mignon brochette. Steak on a skewer. With fries. Perfect. We decided over supper that we didn't want to spend time here, it just didn't do it for us so decided we would leave for Paimpol the next morning.
Song for this post : The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Thought for this post : You can't fall in love with everywhere!
Highlight for this post : Can't think of one!!