Sailing with Amy Clair

After nearly 2 months on board it was time to head home. We motored back to Arzal for Amy Clair to be lifted out while we're away. All went swimmingly well that day, with the electrical fault fixed, Abbi getting her placement in Hong Kong and even down to finally working out where the spare boat keys were which had been bothering us for ages (back in the harbour master's office in Salcombe!) The boatyard guys were very proficient with the lift and we left her all sorted out, on the hard in the sunshine. Taxi ($$$$) to Nantes and a hotel overnight before our flight home next morning. Will be back later on in August - planning to drive as much easier than public transport.What an adventure its been!

After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing at Arzal concerned with meeting a Cruising Association colleague, an electrical spare part and an engineer on the visitors pontoon (long story!) we went back up river to La Roche to celebrate a birthday, along with the whole french community when they beat Belgium to reach the World cup final. We did have a lovely meal out despite it though and the noise didn't keep us awake too long!

We decided to leave Port Haliguen to allow ourselves time to sail the length of the Bay Of Quiberon and to be at the entrance of the Vilaine for the tide and to catch the 14.00 lock opening. The weather was kind and we had an excellent 4 hours close reaching with full sail across the bay at between 5.00 and 7.50 knots. We could not have asked for more perfect conditions. It was also a very pleasnt 26'C We arrived at the lock to enjoy the usual French scrum to get in but once again it all seemed to work out fine and we emerged to the tranquil waters of the Vilaine. We decided to motor a mile or two up river and to anchor in a particularly nice spot we'd identified on our way through before, and found ourselves in the Beneteau owners club - 1 on either side (but well-spaced!) Anchor down and first swim on the day . The river is as interesting colour, well, river water but the temperature is really ideal. Not too cold but still very refreshing. We have had 2 swims this ...

The weather has been absolutely the last couple of days and we took full advantage of the location to sample the beautiful local beaches. Cold but crystal clear and great swimming

Sauzon - Picked up a buoy outside this lovely little place on the north east of Belle Ile. Could go inside as the inner harbour virtually dries out at low tide.  Full of character and charm, if not much water and certainly introduced us to a new way to use your tender! Second day not so sunny - in fact poured with rain but in true British spirit we made the best of it and caught a bus into La Palais the main town and ferry port, so we got to see a bit of the island. Headed off the next day as wind direction changed making our mooring untenable.

Port Crouesty is a very large, very busy marina which is next to the entrance to the Morbihan. We took a stroll over the peninsula to see the Morbihan itself . It's quite stunning and the tides run REALLY FAST ! We plan to enter later this week, weather willing, but for now we have an idea of the navigation challenges.

After the business of the lock , the tranquility of the Bay of Quiberon was wonderful. We only had around 25 miles to do and had a very gentle sail / motor across. Quiberon itself is a pretty place with a wonderful, soft, sandy beach - had a very pleasant swim - with an eagle eye out for jelly fish - it's that time of year unfortunately. Found a lovely little crepe restaurant with a picturesque garden, where better to try the very traditional Breton curried mussels!!

We decided to go for the 8.00am lock to give us a good tidal window down to the Bay of Quiberon - but lots of others had the same idea ! As soon as the lock gates opened it was every man for himself but it all worked out without incident somehow. On the other side it was a similar story , the lock gates opened and a Le Mans start ensued but once again everyone seemed to come through it unscathed. It seems very true about the English vs other nations when it comes to queuing...