Decisions, decisions

We stayed a day in L’Aber Wrac’h and got out the folding bikes for a shopping trip to Lannilis (the main town in the immediate vicinity, about 5km away). We found a great cycle track pretty much in a straight line from the port to the new, large supermarket which kept us off the main roads and allowed us to enjoy the sunshine and scenery. Once in Lannilis we stocked up on wine, cheese, baguette and some crevettes roses for lunch as well as some other store cupboard essentials. In the afternoon we explored the nearby headland with its fantastic beaches and offshore rocky islands.





The next stage of our journey would take us through the Chenal du Four and the Raz de Sein. These tidal gates need to be timed carefully, particularly the latter which should only be taken at slack water unless conditions are very benign. After some careful calculations Nicky announced that we would need to be up at 0430hrs to slip at 0500hrs. At least when we get into the Med we won’t have to worry about early starts for the tide.

Through the Raz de Sein, time for a decision: South or East?

  

After hearing the wind blow strongly for several days we found ourselves motoring out of L’Aber Wrac’h in less than 5 knots of wind. The wind remained at that level, far less than forecast, until we had passed through the Raz de Sein.  Given that, to make the planned tidal gate, we had to start the passage against about 2 hour’s worth of foul tide, at least the light wind meant that we could motor and not feel too guilty about burning diesel!  Nicky’s calculations were spot on and we hit the tidal gate exactly on time. The smooth passage meant we could indulge in a nice lunch including some of the cheeses we had picked up the day before.

Having passed through the Raz, the big decision was whether to sail straight on for Spain, or turn left for southern Brittany. Using the HF radio I had received the GRIB files for the next few days showing the wind across the Bay of Biscay. We also carefully studied the NAVTEX forecast and 3 day outlook. If we headed south we would be fine for 2 days but would then get a beating with some strong onshore winds, quite likely gales, just as we would be approaching the Spanish coastline. Prudence dicated that we turned left for south Brittany.

Fortunately the wind built and we had a fantastic sail across the Audierne bay and around the Pte de Penmarc’h. The wind was directly from behind us which doesn’t work well with our cruising chute rigged, as it is designed to fly, from the bow. Therefore, when the wind is anything within about 30 degrees of our stern we fly it like a conventional spinnaker, poled out on the opposite side to the mainsail. It seems to work well and certainly keeps our speed up.

The only question was where to stop? Initially we planned on anchoring in the Îles de Glénan but the forecast suggested that the wind would get up and back overnight. We didn’t fancy setting ourselves up for a middle of the night move so looked towards the coastline to find a spot. Conversation loitered on anchoring in the Odet river above Bénodet, but then Nicky remembered that the GYC yearbook gives market days for coastal towns in Brittany and Normandy.  Last year we had spent most of our summer cruise just missing the markets.  Concarneau’s market is, apparently on Monday, so Concarneau became our destination; we didn’t want to miss all the markets this year too!

After a fantastic sail we arrived at half past seven in the evening and enjoyed a celebratory glass of Kir in the warm evening under the walls of La Ville Close. We had travelled about 90 miles in just over 14 hours and crossed another line of latitude in our journey south. Time to enjoy southern Brittany whilst we wait for a suitable 3 day weather window to cross the Bay of Biscay.