20th June – Friday–Les Sables D’Olonne

Sailed 6 and a half hours from Ile d’Yeu to Les Sables D’Olonne.  Mostly windless day, some cloud, sunnier later.  Mostly motor sailing.  It was so calm I did some bear making.

Les Sables D’Olonne is the start and end point of the famous (Ellen McArthur) Vendee Globe sailing race.  We arrived mid afternoon and made our way through the buoys and down the river, which has high walls and walkways at each side.

Arundel castle makes an impressive town entrance.  Large signs (and the pilot book) advise visitors to moor on the outer portside pontoon by the Port Olona Harbourmasters office and register. 

The new building was well appointed and we were welcomed into the office for a seat.  We filled in the forms and were then given the best welcome sheet so far.  It showed a map of the marina, our allocated berth number and which orientation it was (Babord/Port side), locations of all the facilities and the entry codes.  All for the reasonable price of 21.40 Euros per night.  The facilities turned out to be good and clean with free showers.

We moored up and waited for the sun to go down a bit before walking to town. 

The town reminded us of Southampton, very yachty, with many sailing outlets, chandlers, servicing and boat producing businesses.  The town has many shops and all appear to lead to the extensive promenade and beach area.

21st June – Saturday

We washed our sheets by hand in a large bucket and they were dry in 2 hours.  We had used machines previously for sheets but I appear to have a rash from the detergent, so resorted to good old Fairy Snow and people power.  Hand-washing is strangely therapeutic and has saved us a lot of Euros. 

Mick re-sealed the Eberspacer pickup pipe, which had been leaking slightly when the diesel tank was full.

Updated blog and stayed in the shade until 5.30pm, still very hot, but went for a walk to find a Supermarket.  There is a smaller old town called Le Chaume near the castle where we walked first but no supermarket in sight.  Finally found a large SuperU behind the Marina housing development.  (Walk from the left most bar, with the boats behind you, and walk diagonally through the houses and onto the road, keep walking to the roundabout and there it is).  I understand why the shop, bar and restaurant owners do not want you find the supermarkets but a few signs would be useful.  The only sign we did see was for a L’Eclerc on the way into the main town, but we didn’t find it.

Managed to acquire an electric fan, cool bag rucksack and a flat grater (the one we have takes up too much drawer space and is just annoying).