Paul Merriman

A final sail to La Trinite beating into a F3 with sun glittering on a flat sea and other boats buzzing around the bay. Before we headed there however a short stop to let Neil snorkel down to check for weed on the rudder and prop - trying to pinpoint the slight wobble we’d noticed in previous days. Handfuls of weed removed - but wobble still there! Entry into La Trinite was satisfying if a little wistful. A 363nm trip completed. Every leg unique, lots learnt, memories for a lifetime.

Today the wind was forecast to be down to a gently F3-4 and the sun was coming out after the mist so we hit the fish market in the morning to buy fresh (kicking!) prawns for lunch. Luckily Martin had packed two spinnakers so we got the Asymmetric up to boost our SOG and as we passed Groix Martin cooked the prawns with garlic and we found a bottle of white in the cupboard to wash them down. We reflected on the contrast with the last few legs. As we approached Port Heuligan the navigation got interesting - weaving between cardinals and rocks and breaking waves on all sides - but the sunny weather made it all seem fairly easy compared to earlier challenges. Port Heuligan turned out to be an amazing stop - over the sill into a spot 300m from the bar/restaurant. We’d need to leave before 11 the following day but plenty of time for washing and packing in anticipation of La Trinite tomorrow. Dinner was oysters followed by various fish dishes delivered in impressive copper pans. Back at the boat we toasted the trip with a shot of Jameson’s. A great last night on board.

If we thought arriving at Audierne was tricky that was nothing to the exit. The very helpful marina manager had advised we should leave before 0900 so after coffee and some pastry purchase we were away around 0800. On our way out we were met by the lifeboat and rib helping another sailing yacht in - had they been outside the breakwater all night? The crew looked tired. Further down and we came to a dredger bang in the channel scooping out sand. We realised why as we got to the entrance and found Atlantic rollers breaking at the entrance! Some careful observation of the transit behind and dodging of the wreck to the south and we were on our way. This was one of the hardest passages weather/ point-of-sail wise but great fun climbing the swell and surfing down the other side. The sky was overcast but forecast to clear which it did as we approached Concarneau. In some ways it felt like the best of the trip was now behind us but we were still keen to get some sun and holiday sailing on the final legs.

A fun passage through the Raz de Sein. We’d carefully calculated arrival time at Raz to minimise the tidal chaos - talk of a washing machine was a bit alarming particularly as the wind and swell was up. On calling Audierne to check for a berth that night they told us our planned arrival time of 2100 was too late - the tide in the river would be ebbing dangerously. 2000 or even 1830 would be better! We headed out and decided to take a look at conditions when we arrived (mostly sail but some motoring to keep to time) and on the way confirmed a safe anchorage on the North side we could turn back to if required. In the end the sea state was fine - swell and wind were with the tide so a knot of tide against in places but fairly flat (apart from swell). The changes in sea state as we went round were eerie though. We agreed no fun at the wrong state of tide. We made Audierne for 1900 and navigated in safely - good to get in with good light as well as not the easiest to find our way over the bar. Dinner was an excellent steak place behind the marina. And a good bottle of red as well.

My first overnight passage across the Channel and couldn’t have asked for a better one or better company. Left St Mary’s late afternoon as planned and headed south with a good 17/18 kts on our starboard quarter. This meant concentration needed on helming to avoid gybing as we rolled up and down the swell. We had chicken curry to fortify us around 8pm then started 3 person watch pattern at 9pm - 2 on 1 off so on for 6 out of 9 hrs. I was off first so has 0000-0600 watch - deep in the shipping and fishing areas. The fishing boats would switch on AIS as we approached and appear suddenly. The large cargo ships were more visible but CPA tricky to use as our heading kept changing in the swell. As light came up around 0430 we started to see the lighthouse off Ouissant and confirmed we were further west than desired - also a bit late on plan to make Chanal du Four but some motoring got us back on track (whilst I was unconscious below!). Came through Chanal de Helle and entered Brest after lunch. Straightforward visitor berth near the sea wall.

A rolling trip to Scilly with wind mostly on the beam and around 18-20kts. Left Helford at 6am and made Lizard Point with the ebbing tide which gave us a good boost down the coast. A few other boats heading our way. Arrived in the middle of the afternoon and navigated into the North approach to St Mary’s Pool. Ended up on a buoy in the harbour just behind the lifeboat (who actually asked us to move off our original mooring as theirs was having maintenance done. Overnight in harbour - saw some Gig racing and had dinner and a couple of pints at The Atlantic.

Considered an overnight to Scillies but on checking the weather we decided to go to Helford River and depart from there. NW wind on the beam over 20kts so flew down on 2 reefs and 1 tack. Also turned out to be a smart decision as hit by some hailstorm squalls of 30kts plus and reduced visibility. Consensus was that another 8hrs to St Mary’s would have been fairly punishing!

Wind had picked up overnight so blown off south side of jetty bit cautious about shallows which looked very close. All went well and made the bar before high tide then a straight run back to Hamble. Winds gusting 25+ but NE so comfortable but fast beam or broad reach. Arrived a bit before low tide so lunch at end pontoon before attempting the reverse into a tight berth in the gusty winds. Ended well and a satisfying finish to two contrasting days on the water.

Expected light winds but turned out better. The goal was Itchenor overnight and getting to the Chichester bar by 1815. We ended up sailing West in the morning with the tide then motored back to Osborne Bay for lunch before sailing down to Chichester making the bar bang on schedule. Planned dinner at the Ship Inn at Itchenor and after a quick tie up at the jetty we made it before the 2000 curfew. Wind picked up overnight but berth was secure. Jetty moorings still being finished so electricity not on yet and a hunt for the shower code before Harbour Office opened but shower facilities very good - though only two!

Pure Latitude social trip to Gins Farm for lunch. Out on Pure Addiction (Hanse 360), back on Pure Momentum (Hanse 348).