Apologies to those who 'lost' us on the Internet - apparently we were last spotted about 30 km SW of Guernsey on Tuesday (thanks Richard)! We did leave St Peter Port as planned very early that day and made it across to the Brittany coast in good time. Such good time that we were too early for the flooding tide up the river Trieux. We have already found out that one does not mess with the tides in these parts, so we decided to anchor in the outer reaches (in a charmingly named bay called Rade de Pommelin) for lunch and a snooze before moseying on the 5 miles or so inland to the marina at Lezardrieux. And this is where we have been ever since, with the AIS switched off.
It's a picturesque small Breton town, complete with two award-winning patisseries, a wine cave and an unusual-looking church in the yard of which stands a remarkable war memorial to those Frenchmen killed in WWI.
Further up river is the town of Pontrieux, which we have been told is worth visiting. However there is the small matter of a suspension bridge between us and it. Clearance at high water springs is 17 m. Our mast is 19 m above the water. So whilst we could get under if we timed it right, we have decided not to, and instead to progress westwards.
The provisional itinerary going forwards is as follows:
31/5 to 1/6 - Perros-Guirec or Trebeurden
2-3/6 - Roscoff.
3/6 - L'Aber-Wrac'h.
4/6 - Brest.
5/6 - Camaret-sur-mer.
6/6 - Audierne/Loctudy/Benodet.
7/6 - Concarneau.
8-9/6 - Port Louis, near L'Orient.
10-11/6 - Etel.
12-13/6 - Le Palais, Belle Isle.
14-16/6 - Port Haliguen, maybe anchoring on islands of Houat and Hoedic.
17/6 - Le Crouesty.
18-20/6 - Golfe de Morbihan and Auray.
21-22/6 - Vannes
And that's as far as I have got! It goes without saying that all depends on the weather. We are hoping to rendez-vous with my brother and his wife on Belle Isle at the end of June but after that we will be cruising up or down the coast according to the wind direction. There is such a plethora of inviting places to visit that I expect we will be spoiled for choice. But we are aiming to return home towards the end of July and leave these wonderful cruising grounds to the French On Holiday, leaving the boat somewhere yet to be decided. Then return for more sailing in September. So if any followers of this blog are planning to be in our vicinity over the next few weeks, do get in touch to arrange a rendez-vous.
Today we decided to explore the vicinity on foot, following a waymarked 'randonee'. French signage leaves a fair amount to the imagination but we managed to complete the 18km walk north along the river and back through green lanes without losing our way too many times ... though it was a close run thing. However we fortified ourselves with a magnificent sandwich - poulet curry in half a baguette - purchased earlier at one of the aforementioned patisseries. The scenery was delightful, and included views of the river, one of the many lighthouses that we had spotted as we arrived on FF, a view out to the rocky bay and several fields of artichokes which are in the midst of harvest. Also some interesting flora (yet to be identified).
Tomorrow morning we head to Perros-Guirec or Trebeurden, about 25 or 30 miles - weather permitting of course!
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