12/08/2012 Welcome to white sandy beaches and great bread and cheese

We left L’Aberwrach at the assigned time in all the guide books to tackle the Chanel du Four and the Raz de Seine to get around the point of the Finistere penisula to Audierne. Both have a bad reputation that did not materialise as we had fair winds and tides the whole way.

The shallower water through the straits did bear fruit from the sea. It was a long days sail, but calm enough to cook up our caught fish to eat for dinner along the way. We still got into port in time for ‘sun downers’.

After the expense of L’Aberwrach we decided that we would ‘save a few pennies’ and anchor in the mouth of the river at St.Yvette. It is a beautiful anchorage surrounded by white soft sand beaches. The waters are crystal clear and reflect aqua marine in the sun light. The temperature is already improving and my human’s are still wearing shorts and t-shirts in the evening.

After a good nights sleep we all jumped into the dingy and headed up river to the main town to attend the ‘grande’ market. The town centre was packed with people, food stands, fresh produce, cheeses, breads, meats and of course lots of French dogs. We went to the town marina to enquire about prices and get a weather update, but no one was in despite the times listed for openings.

When we got back, the little anchorage of St.Yvette was very packed. Every mooring buoy was gone and lots of boats where anchored around us. In the night the winds built to a force 4 and the boats where turned broad side to the Atlantic swell. All of us were rolling back and forth. Nothing that we would not experience on a down wind sail, but with out the sails up the boom creaked as the boat rolled and things left out started falling off the counters. A bit of a noisey night. I go and hide on my bed under the table when things get bumpy.

With the morning light we found we were the last boat standing. All the other anchored boats had left and most of the boats on buoys. Glad we have a big heavy boat sometimes. We did not want a repeat so we rigged up our drouge (sea parachute) to hang off our boom on one side of the boat. This dampens the roll of the boat and it sits much nicer now.

Made a mad kayaking trip into town again to see if the marina was open, but again it was closed. Finally a nice man who spoke ‘some’ english explained that the town centre closes for Saturday and Sunday so everyone can go to or participate in the market. Only the bars and resturants remain open.

Well tomorrow is Monday. So I suppose every thing will open again. The weather in the Bay of Biscay is ok, but all the winds are coming from the direction we want to travel. No good for a sail boat. Strong winds are coming for Wednesday and Gale force 7 for Thursday. We would prefer to move up river into town for those days….that is if we ever get to speak to the marina and book in.

aIt is a beautiful place to be weather bound. We are all trying new foods and looking forward to getting something nice from the huge fish market across the river from the town. I am loving the big long open beaches to run through. I race in and out of the water attaching floating weeds and chasing down sea birds…both always seem to get away. My owners are not so keen on the amount of sand I am bringing back onto the boat. They make me have a brush down on the deck and wash it all with a bucket of sea water before letting me into the cockpit. It is so embarrassing.

Will add photos and keep you up dated when we find some internet. Keep smiling until then.