A rendez-vous in Roscoff!

Simon Tong

I waited until it was light before heading out of L'Aber Wrac'h, the Chenal de la Malouine passage is straight forward enough, but it's narrow with breaking waves over rocks close on the port side and I didn't want to be passing through there not being able to see what I could hear! Once out, the swell from the previous two days winds was still significant, and for the first hour or two had no real pattern, other than being very lumpy, confused and too much for the autohelm to cope with. A nearby 13m yacht who had also come out of L'Aber Wrach at the same time but went round the Grand Chenal was occasionally completely disappearing behind the swell... But after that it settled down and was much more comfortable, although still too much for the sails to hold the light breeze, so it was motoring. As I approached Ile de Batz the wind picked up to 10kts so I managed a little sail, but sea state, and by now lack of tidal cuurent, meant the peace had to be broken again by the engine as I went in to the inside passage of Ile de Batz where Rae and her Mum had made their way to wave me past.... before dashing off to take my lines in the marina! Glad to be reunited, but first looking forward to a few days rest ashore, before we continue east.