Adventures of a Cabin Boy

Cousin Jim, self-styled cabin boy, joined the crew of Follyfin in Vannes. He is a seasoned sailor so we wanted him to see her put through her paces. And anyway he was here for the sailing and not for the beer, wine, or fresh croissants, baguettes and somewhat delicious French food. Or maybe he would like a bit of both?

Regrettably we couldn't organise a gale for him but the 6 days sailing did afford everything from downwind sailing with the now not-so-new, colourful Gennaker sail on the first day to Île Houat on the southern rim of Quiberon bay, through a lively fine reach 50 miles SE to Port Joinville on Île d'Yeu during which the wind gusted to 26.2 kn (force 6), to flat calm motor-sailing all the way on the final day from Sauzon on Belle Île north to La Trinité.

We enjoyed local produce and sunset whilst anchored off Houat,

and we caught an eel (sadly inedible without smoking or jellying facilities on board) in the creel whilst anchored off the south coast of Belle Île, as well as two very large mackerel on the final day whilst motoring through the rocky Teignouse passage back into Quiberon bay.

There was also time to enjoy the high life at a quintessentially French restaurant (The 09) on Île d'Yeu where they served both crab and lobster in wonderful arrangements ... Cabin Boy did very well choosing that one! We also ate out in Sauzon - grilled sardines, the speciality of the area - before heading back on the final day. You can see Follyfin moored fore and aft in the middle and on the right of the picture below.

All too soon it was time to bid farewell to our cabin boy, but not before a celebration on board on another perfect evening in La Trinité. All in all, it has been a most enjoyable and action-packed week.

Yesterday we departed from La Trinité and are now berthed in Port Tudy on the Île de Groix, just 5 miles south of L'Orient, a large city on the mainland. Time to do the chores!