Andy Riches

A bit agitated when we woke with light swell, maybe tide. Wind good for Concarneau but NW-W for the foreseeable after today. So off we set. Slow progress with just main to start at around 2 knots. Jib out after clearing rocks and shallows off anchorage, still only as not 2 knots! Tried coming off a run and gybing across our purple course line and got up to 3 knots. As we cleared the end of Groix wind picked up to around 8-9 knots and we made good progress at around 4-5knots. Bikini sailing and swimmers, very hot and sunny. Dead calm sea - could stop for a swim almost! Wind gradually started coming more SW and we sailed well on a close reach. Dolphins as we approached Penfret. Anchored quickly and set off for the beach for a swim and cool down. Crystal clear sea and white sandy beach. Stunning, Partial eclipse in evening.

Very gusty in anchorage so decided to wait to see if gusts died down a bit. Gusts 20 at 930, slowly reduced to 15 by 1030 Nikki got anchor up really well and pick up bouy and we motored out. Nikki steered into wind to hoist main which was tricky with the gusts on the nose. Sailed out on more a less a run with just main at about 5 knots. Once turned to a reach we got jib out and had a great sail down the back of the island with the island creating gusts. Reached 7.9 knots. Chasing Tia. Within 0.5 miles from 1.2 and they headed towards other side of Island and we to Groix. Then the wind totally stopped and we motored for about 45 minutes before being able to sail again at between 3.5 and 5 knots

A bit choppy when we woke and neither felt like going ashore so decided to head for Belle Ile, as it was new to us. Off by 10 and sailed the long way out using navionics auto route. Should have cut the corners! Once around Houat had a good sail finishing off at 7.5knts. Sails came down well, didn’t beat French yacht Alchemy in who got prime spot of course. Explored caves in dinghy and sat with the Nudies on the beach!

Woke a bit late just after 9 after a poor nights sleep.Nikki had retreated to the aft cabin! Supermarket and chat to capitanerie about best years contract. Slipped around 240@ after refilling with water and new hose bursting. Nikki suggested going out front first which worked well. Motored out and I hoisted main with winch while Nikki cleared away washing up. Easier to bounce! Sailed on close haul in between 9 and 12 knots mainly. Saw 13.5 at one point. Ended up being pushed off towards Hoedic so put a tack in for the last mile or so and Anchored in 7.3m at 3.8m of tide (1620) LW 1.6m 21:15 HW 4.2m 03:30 So depth will go down to 5.1 and up to 7.7m Set 32m of chain out and trip bouy Anchor came off spindle again which is bugging Nikki. A bit choppy when we arrived but seems to be settling a bit.

Wind forecast for the next 2 days was a bit of a concern. Today sw 14 gusting 20 from late morning to 2200 and tomorrow gusting up to 25 from the West. This anchorage would have it blowing straight in. Headed to sough of Aux Moines. Looked lovely but whole are was laid with mooring bouys the biggest marked at 4 T max! Thought about anchoring and dropped in about 8 m but pick up bouy sank and we did not feel comfortable so headed on towards Ile de Longue which would be more sheltered and we knew had space for anchoring. Checked some other bouys out in the way which were privy and seemed very close to each other. Arrived at Ile Longue and dropped in 5.7m . Beautiful. Peaceful and very sheltered. Wind does appear to be here…yet at least.

Woke up to a glassy mirror like anchorage. Quick coffee and off. Snubber off and pick up bouy came in easily although was dead calm. Nikki steered and we motored towards the entrance to The Morbihan. We were about half an hour before HW and had 3 knots of tide helping us in, hence the high SOG. Nikki brought us in through the whirlpools’ which were very mild. Had a look at the anchorage off Ile longue but as lovely as it looked thought we’d be adventurous and carry on to Arz and Muriel’s secret anchorage. A lot of tide in places and we arrived at 0930 to a beautiful picture post card anchorage with just 3 other yachts. Throughout the day the wind did increase from the West anf and a small chop developed but still pleasant. Decided to stay as the gusts in the forecast weren’t materialising and it was forecast to reduce over night. Navily was not helpful here.

Waited until 1630 for enough water at fuel pontoon as per capitanerie advice. - 2 hrs after low. Not too bad getting out of finger but wind was up slightly and now decided to blow us onto the neighbouring boat. A bit of pivoting worked well! Had to wait for a couple of ribs and struggled with self service but eventually got 50 litres in tank and 20 in can. Jib at 3.5 knots mainly. Should have set main aswell! Getting up to 5knots on a run to finish. Bay looked lovely and was nicely sheltered. Set anchor with new trip line and bouy. Looked good! Quick swim before carbonara . Very stable night.