Early August 2016–St Evette, Camaret, L’Aberwra’ch, Plymouth

29th July – To St Evette

We needed to stay overnight on a mooring buoy in St Evette prior to our return passage through the Raz de Sein.  The 32 miles from 09:00 to 15:00 are under overcast skies and rolling sea, but the wind was warm and we were joined by Dolphins to cheer the journey.  Leaving Loctudy was every bit a precarious as the entry for fishing pot-dodging. 

There has been a lot of weed in the sea this year.  The boat above had to employ a local diver to remove something from his propeller. 

The price for our stay had increased from 10 to 11.50 euros since our last visit a few weeks ago.

30th July – Saturday – To Camaret

We had a very early start today to set off at daybreak for the 31 miles through the Raz de Sein to Camaret.  An overcast start, brightened later.  There was a large swell but the dolphins visiting again improved our journey.  As we started so early we arrived in Camaret at 11:30am.  So we paid our dues and waited for the Super U supermarket to open at 2:30pm.  Its a great place for a good stock up.

At the marina office there was a sign for a parade by the ‘Association Vauban La Tour doree’.  At 17:00 hours 50 plus people dressed in period costume paraded from the Vauban Tower at the harbour-side, along the main street and back again, accompanied by pipes and drums.  Vauban is the designer of many of the most significant fortifications around Europe.

And this is his fan club.

The parade then went into the grounds of the Vauban Tower which is currently being renovated.

31st July – Sunday

Bit of a lazy day, wandering around the Brocante Antiques market along the sea front. 

This family gathering on the boat moored behind us needed special mention for the most people on a relatively small sailing boat,  3 children and 12 adults, yes 15 people.  A visual representation of the displacement theory.  All very good humoured.

2nd August – Tuesday

The last time we stayed in Camaret for a few days we walked towards the headland.  This time we walked slightly into town and followed the signs for the Alignements Megalithiques, hoping for more ancient stones.  We were not disappointed and they were within 1 mile of the town.

Alignements Megalithiques de Lagatjar.  43 stones aligned which are contemporaries of the alignements at Carnac 2,500 years BC.

We then progressed upwards and onwards for about 2 miles towards the memorial cross.  We have passed this monument on the sea a few times and really wanted to see it up close.  I was expecting a Celtic cross and was surprised as we approached and it got bigger and bigger.

Memorial cross decorated with Art Deco inspired designs of all the services.  It is dedicated to the Battle of the Atlantic.

The cross on its prominent cliff.

Incredible rock formations.

Rock formations which display the power of the sea.

It was a very windy day and we stayed well away from the edges.

On the way down we had a closer look at the bunkers at the Musee Memorial Pointe de Pen Hir, Battle of the Atlantique bunker.  There is a labyrinth of buildings interconnected with deep trenches.

The museum was not open but the sign stated this is a memorial for all the fallen servicemen from every nation involved.

We had a really good day with unexpected finds and a good walk.

See previous post for marina details, 29 euros.

Camaret is growing on us.  It has everything a weary sailor needs.

4th August – To L’Aberwra’ch

To make the tide going through the Chenal du Four we left Camaret at 12:00 for the 35 miles, passing the headland of the Rade de Brest above.

It was quite a bright day, and the first half of the passage was just a bit lumpy but the sea swell rose to 3 metres high and is shown above hitting Le Four lighthouse.  Sometimes going half way up the tower. 

We arrived with a large lump of weed on the rudders which was removed with the assistance of Jean-Pierre in the neighbouring boat.  Every French sailor we have talked to this year has been called Jean-Pierre.  Must be a nightmare at primary school with name tags.

L’Aberwra’ch is a water sport haven with many types of sailing adventures on offer.

The following day we walked to Landeda a local town up the hill approximately 25 minutes.  The first year we totally missed the supermarket and I needed to find it for my sanity.  I think we thought Super Utilities was an electric company rather than a supermarket.  We have learned so much.  A restful day before our channel crossing.  A dish of Moules at the Captain restaurant was enjoyed in the evening as our last in France for this year.

6th August – Saturday – To Plymouth across the channel overnight.

L’Aberwra’ch to Plymouth is this years big trip.  We have friends to see in Plymouth and then we can make our way East to find a winter mooring.

The crossing is 112 miles and takes 22 hours.  We set off at 09:00 with two boxes of sandwiches prepared.  We both took seasickness pills and continued to take them every 8 hours.

The first 14 hours were quite un-eventful and quite pleasant.  A lovely sunny day with less than 10 knots of wind.  So both sails up with the engine on 2000 revs.  The sea was once again quite choppy but tolerable, though not slight enough to read.  It was lucky that it was the opening day of the Rio Olympics and Radio 5 Live was a very useful companion.  (I think I could answer Mastermind questions on the first day of the Olympics).   We had a sneaky Pot Noodle at 18:00 to bring some warmth and comfort.

I had a little snooze on deck from 21:00 to 23:30.  During which time it went dark.  There was no moon but the stars were plentiful.  Mick went down below to sleep from 23:30 to 02:30.  I did wake him twice.  Once for a fishing boat which had no AIS and seemed to be playing chicken with us, so we diverted to give him a wide berth.  Then for a cargo ship which was travelling quickly and needed avoiding.  During my watch the wind had picked up to 20 knots and with reefs in the sail we were still making 6.8 knots and covered quite some ground.

So much so that when Mick took over at 02:30 he had to reduce speed to make sure we did not arrive too early and to aid his progress through the recently descended thick fog, which was not forecast.   To give you some idea of the fog we lost sight of the Edistone Lighthouse’s light even though we were only 5 miles from it when we passed it. 

The mist stayed with us all the way into Plymouth.

We arrived at Sutton Harbour at 06:00 and passed through the lock on free flow.

We ate more of the sandwiches and then went for a Sunday paper before a well earned sleep.

We are staying here now for a week or so, catching up with friends and enjoying Plymouth as we have never been here in our boat before.