Current Position
47 29 34N
003 06 04W
Port Haliguen
A 23.5 mile passage with a F1 from the SW meant the iron sail got a good run. We were heading for Port Haliguen which would be our last stop before the Golfe du Morbihan to fill the water tank and do a substantial shop for fresh produce as we intended to spend at least 5 days on the hook. We were warned by Jane as we left Port Louis that a rally would be in Port Haliguen and coupled with the fact that it was also Bastille Day and a bank holiday it may be very busy. It was. We were met by the berthing master who offered us a slot on the inside of the visitors pontoon which was very close to the breakwater but we quickly realised that Stiletto would not fit into the allocated space, despite the boat ahead being asked to move up. There was some seriously selfish berthing by some of the bigger visiting yachts. We ended up rafting off a French boat whose skipper was very helpful and took our lines as we came along side. We don't like rafting up. It is very inconvenient as you have to pass over the boat you are attached to in order to get on/off and if they decided to leave at first light, then you have to get up and be prepared to move in order for them to get out. There is also little privacy. As it turned out we had the best spot. As more and more boats flooded in, they were eventually rafted out 4 boats deep on the other side of the pontoon. It was pretty chaotic. We were charged €36 for this privilege and as we ventured out to the supermarket we noted that the shower block was one helluva walk from the visitors pontoon and after doing a big shop, bringing it back to the boat, transferring it across the boat we were rafted against, in the intense heat, we simply couldn't face such a long walk back to shower, so showered on board. It was a rip off - our first - and frankly we just wanted to leave. We were up at 7am next morning for an 8.30 departure as we needed to time our entrance right for getting into the Morbihan. We were glad to say bye-bye.
Song for this post : This Old House by Shakin Stevens
Thought for this post : Stay clear of marinas on a bank holiday
Highlight for this post : Leaving!!!!