Jonathan Harwood

Left Trebuerden at 0710 clear the sill on a falling tide. Brisk wind that rapidly reduced when turned downwind. Hoisted cruising chute & had v enjoyable slow sail with tide against us. Wind picked up at same time as tide turned favourable so had a great upwind sail into the main chenal towards Lezardrieux, arriving close to high tide at 1645.

Up anchor at at 0830, took longer route around Ile de Batz, found some wind but had issues with anemometer sticking. Wind dropped and fell away to doldrums-like torpor so motored to Trebeuden, entering through open sill af approx 1350.

Left anchorage at Anse de Berthaume at 0710. Motored through Chenal de Four - northern part lumpy due to wind over tide. Also encountered a lot of swell during remainder of passage following recent Atlantic storm. Anchored in very pretty bay off Ile de Siec, close to Ile de Batz & Roscoff.

Left Port de Forêt at 0715 after refuelling. Against tide and/or wind for most of passage apart from short quite good sail heading towards Raz du Sein. Motor sailed to Anse de Berthaume & dropped anchor in a sheltered bay (but some rolling due to swell) at 2015. A long day, especially since log was not working - discovered it to be fouled by growth of Bryozoans.

Great beam reach sail all the way, wind in the teens. Top SOG 8.5kt. Tide with us throughout.

Went ashore with Charles for walk and coffee. Raised anchor 1100 and set a return course back to Port-Louis, Lorient. Winds light on the starboard beam so had good sail with cruising shute & main sail. Motored into Lorient harbour.

Linked up with Charles at 1000 when leaving La Trinite. Sailed to Quiberon town & then tacked down to St Pierre for lunch and ashore for a coffee. Afterwards downwind sail to Ile Houat where anchored for the night.

Our final port before heading back home! Left Port-Louis 0700, straight into 35kt rainy squall outside marina. Hoisted sails in estuary & had a good beam reach sail down to Quiberon Bay. Sea very choppy after recent bad weather. Engine on for passage through hazards into Quiberon Bay & then great sail 6kt+ across bay on beam reach but opposite tack to before. Entered Trinite marine approximately 1300.

Left Concarneau 0700 to catch favourable tide. Motored downwind for first half of passage but then wind picked up sufficient to hoist cruising chute. Enjoyable downwind sail before entering estuary & berthed in Port Louis marina, across the river from L’Orient & WWII U-Boat submarine base.

Left Lesconil 0900, following Navionics route through numerous hazards, lobster pots and fishermen. Sadly wind insufficient to get into Concarneau in sufficient time to get a berth so motored rest of the way. Entered Concarneau 1220, given a berth. Discovered anemometer was jamming & will need fixing.