Mid July 2 2016 – Crouesty and Port Louis

18th July – Monday – To Crouesty from Vannes

We left our lovely riverside mooring in Vannes for a short hop to Crouesty, which is located to the south of the mouth of the Morbihan Sea.  We departed our mooring to make the 08:30 bridge out of town and into the Morbihan.  We had a pleasant hour and a half trip around the islands to the mouth of the sea, where the tide grabs and propels you at 11 knots out into the Quiberon bay. We arrived at 11:00 after just 12 miles and went straight to the Diesel pontoon.

Crouesty is a huge marina and space is limited for visitors. 

The wind was gusting to 20 knots as we found our visitor mooring and unfortunately the wind caught us as we were manoeuvring.  Our activities attracted all the Meerkats out of their boats who offered help which was gladly received.  As I was fending off another boat, leaning on the boat hook, the boat moved and I very nearly went overboard.  I was saved by the Guard Wire, which held me at thigh level as I clung on until I regained my footing, then I had to carry on until we successfully moored.  Someone would have definitely earned £250 for the video clip.

Above is the worst of my bruises.  I was pretty shaken up.  A little later I had a good walk round the market to calm myself.

The market stretched all the way around the large marina, along the route of the many tourist shops and cafes which line the harbour-side.

We later walked to the small town of Arzon and the large Intermarche at the other side of the marina.  I think the walking really helped me not to be too stiff the following day.

19th July – Tuesday

Another ‘scorchio’ day, so we got up early and raided the Intermarche supermarket before the sun came up fully.  We then sheltered for the rest of the day until 4:00pm when we went for a walk.

On arrival the marina at Crouesty gave us a leaflet for free entry for two people to the ‘Cairn du Petit Mont’.  No, we did not know what it was either, but you know us, so off we went.

The seaside path winds its way around the headland.  At times it is very overgrown and feels like you are walking through a maze.

Occasional signs indicated that we were heading in the right direction.  ‘Tumulus’ is the word you see on Brown signs for ancient Megaliths.  It is an approximate 2km walk from the marina, just 30 minutes or so.

We were greeted by Julian who gave us a talk in English and pointed us in the right direction around the site.  It was first created 4,700 years BC, so almost 7,000 years old and therefore older than the Egyptian Pyramids.  The Gulfe de Morbihan was just rivers at this time and the site would have been on a prominent headland. 

The Germans used the cairn as a bunker during WWII, and weirdly probably saved it.  They did damage one of the tombs but the other 2 are still intact.

Feel like Wilma Flintstone.  The cairn forms a kind of Pyramid over the tombs.  The walls were below ground level when it was discovered.

Mind your head.

One of the carvings on the tomb walls.  The cairn was a very unexpected but fascinating find for us and we are very grateful to the marina for the ticket.

Crouesty Marina

35 euros per night makes Crouesty the most expensive so far in France.  With over 1400 berths it is a large and impersonal place.  There are a limited number of visitors berths, which have narrow gaps between the pontoons.  It is surrounded by holiday flats and villas and lined by tourist shops and cafes.  The office is new and efficient.  The facilities are good and are located on the harbour-side and not in the office complex.  There is a boulangerie and an Intermarche supermarket.  The dorey boat will take you across the marina to the supermarket and return you with your purchases as part of the service.  It is a 20 minute walk.  Wifi was OK.  It is well set up for families.

20th July – Wednesday – Back to Port Louis

We are going back to Port Louis to meet Malcolm and Joanna our friends from Whitby, so Crouesty will be our furthest point south this season.

We make the 31 miles from Crouesty in 7 hours 09:30 – 16:30.  With rolly seas we set off under leaden skies, but the sun appeared later.

After dinner Malcom and Joanna came around for drinks and a good catch-up.  It is so nice to see people from home.

21st July – Thursday

After a lazy day with a walk around Port Louis bumping into familiar faces, we had drinks on ‘Lady Hamilton’ with Malcolm and Joanna then went out for dinner at Il Pirata, the much recommended Pizzeria in town. 

We had charcuterie to share and thin crispy pizzas.

It is good to talk to fellow sailors about the trials and tribulations of life on board in close quarters.   We appreciate how lucky we are.

22nd July – Friday

Joanna casting off on Lady Hamilton the following morning.  Bon Voyage and thanks for your company.  Their blog ladyhamilton2016.wordpress.com is a great read.

In the afternoon we had a walk around to the other side of Port Louis and came to Port Locmalo.

A small sea named ‘Petit Mer de Gavres’, and a lovely quiet bay away from the madding crowds.

The harbour-side cafe at Port Louis has music on a Friday night and the boaters all listen from their boats in the marina.

Next stop Concarneau.