Andy Riches

Slipped 0930 headed out with an Easterly on a very broad reach soon becoming a run and decided to goose. Beautiful sunny weather with around 10 -13 it’s of TWS. Hoëdic turned out to be quite exposed. Tried the westerly side but although sheltered from the wind it suffered quite a swell so in frustration decided to motor to SW of Houat. Turned out the strong foul tide kicked up a horrible wind against tide sea and made progress slow and uncomfortable. Inevitably the anchorage turned out also to be too uncomfortable to be worth staying so we turned around bracing our selves for a windward slog back to our October home at La Turballe. Secured the dinghy on the foredeck and motored against the wind around the easterly side of the island. Unrolled the jib with one reef and then fully-only 3.5 knots so got the main up and got to 5.5-6 knots on a very pleasant and comfortable close reach all the way back. Thank you wind ! Then Nikki spotted a small group of dolphins’ we counted 3-4, which swam up and under us. Wind slowly reduced but we sailed within a couple of miles of the port until it finally gave out. Motored last bit and of course the wind piped back up but dead against us. Came onto berth beautifully at about 1900 and finished up with a bottle of bubbly as the sunset!