Sue Harwood

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.

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.

Sailed with favourable south going tide. Big wide area of overfalls going through Raz de Sein, recording maximum 7.3kt tide with us! Wind dropped while crossing Baie d’Audierne but picked up as rounded Pointe de Pemarc’h. Went onto nice anchorage outside Lesconil - lovely sandy beach, busy on Saturday afternoon..

Left Lampaul Bay 0700, hoisted main and cruising chute when past Le Jument lighthouse. Downwind sail for 3 hours or so before replacing chute with jib and beam reach for remainder of passage until entered Baie de Douarnez. Anchored in Anse St-Nicholas for the night.

Departed St Vaast 1130 after evenful effort to refuel. Very little wind so motored around Pointe de Barfleur, helped by very strong ebb tide pushing boat along at 10kt (briefly) with engine set at cruising 2000rpm. Several cardinal marks to stay correct side of. Wind picked up to 15kts but not until about to enter Cherbourg’s outer harbour so sails not hoisted at all during passage.

Delayed departure since gate at St Vaast not due to open until 2000. Very little wind initially so motored. Wind picked up after lunch & had a good beat with a following tide. Wind backed and increased so reefed sails and beat upwind into St Vaast outer bay, dropping anchor at 1830. Ate supper while waiting for gate to open.

Departed Le Tréport through lock at 0810, flat water with v little wind. After four hours wind picked up so sailed & hoisted cruising chute on close haul since winds still light. Winds dropped so back to motoring. A lovely day cruising along the alabaster coast.