Round the corner

Andy Riches

Left in Dark. Quite disorientating leaving anchorage. Once outside much clearer and twilight came fairly soon giving a bit of partial light from just before 0600. 10 knots N wind against a very weak tide at Raz. Made the start of Raz a little late at 0700 Had hoped to be there slightly earlier at 0630-0700 Almost slack water and be clear by 0730 which would have got us to the start of Che al du four around 0930. We were running around 30mins late and never caught up, probably the lack of fuel and sailing across to Chenal Du four once through the Raz slowed us slightly. Although we were making good progress sailing. Close to Saint Matt around 1000 for start of Chenal du four. Sailed close to wind for most of the Chanel deciding to motor again as the wind dropped and the swell slowed us right down. Motored to around the Du Gour lighthouse and then tried sailing again. Had to put in a tack to get round the rocks and were catching Petrel, who turned off to the first Aber. Was able to bear off a touch and charged into the entrance of L’Aber Wrac’h . Took sails down at last big green and motored in . Met by rib who welcomed us to L’Aber Wrac’h and helped us tie up . Went to bed and woke up to the wind roaring. Very satisfying! Lovely evening at sailing school event meeting a French couple and a farmer and his wife, buying each other drinks. Still a good 1m high swell but long swell. At North end of Chanel Du four swell much closer together. About 1.5-2 knots of s going tide against 10 knots of wind.