Dreamer

	TORPOINT MOSQUITO SAILING CLUB Cruising Section
	Dreamer Summer Cruise 2009 Part 3
Hi again all I am starting this anchored in Sauzon, Belli Ile with tide going out waiting to ground. Blowing SW 4/5 from behind with kedge out, hopefully keeping us on sandy bottom and not rocky bed when we do! Good news is the sun is shining and as usual the dog has found his sheltered spot in the sun on the foredeck. La Rochelle was last place reported from and what a super place. Anyway from there we actually had a good sail for 10 miles, sustained 6/7 knts to St Martin en Re, on Ile de Re and picked up mooring buoy, which was quite a distance from entrance to harbour and got quite wet in the dinghy taking Rusty in. Next day making way for Bourgenay this time hardly any wind 2½ knots for 2 ½ hrs with asymmetric up. Deciding we wanted to reach our destination today- blow this pure sailing lark- engine on and peace shattered. Bourgenay is a quiet little place as I mentioned before and stayed there for a few days as got up blowey again. Whilst there we got the bikes out and cycled to Les Sables d’Olonne along cycle route about 10 miles each way. The French certainly know how to look after their cyclists even to the extent of blocking off the road along the beach front and making it cycling only. Fabulous. What a place - it is huge and the beaches were packed. Marina was quite big too! Just along from Bourgenay is the local beach and the surf that day was quite something so just had to go in to cool off after the long cycle. Again it was busy and well patrolled and controlled by the SNSM life guards between the safety posts. What fun jumping over waves and getting dumped on (age has no barrier when you are having fun!) and must say lost my top a few times when got caught in a BIG one ! (On the SW coast of Belle Ile here, is the Plage de Donnant where we cycled yesterday and the surf there was even bigger and no way would I go in there! Again well controlled by lifeguards.) Time to move on again to Port Joinville, Ile d’Yeu. Wind on nose up to 25knts very bumpy for last 2 hours. On arrival the port assistants who welcome you in his tender looked at us a bit vague and we thought - oh no he cant fit us in. Anyway he was just waiting to hear where to put us. Thank goodness. Again rafted up with 5 outside. That night they berthed and rafted so many boats we were all blocked in, in the marina. When we went for a walk the fishing basin was also packed out, in some cases rafted 9 yachts deep!! So what had we to worry about!! Something we have realised since going further south this year, no matter how big you think your boat is, it usually ends up being one of the smallest! And also the further south you go the dearer the marinas! Once the wind dropped a bit we headed out from Port Joinville and thought we would make straight for the Vilaine 60 miles away. Started off great sailing just off the wind at 6/7 knts then wind dropped and yes engine on. Same old story, but lovely and sunny wind on nose but comfortable. For those that know the Vilaine, to get in the canalised part of the river, you have to negotiate the Arzal Lock!!! Place of many little battles with the French and their little boats. We arrived and being a cat they put us in first and thankfully it wasn’t very busy that evening. Can’t remember if I have mentioned that we have been having trouble with our starboard engine water pump over the summer (no water coming out) sometimes it would and sometimes it wouldn’t. Anyway time to leave the lock - no water! So had to manoeuvre out of lock on one engine. Well done Ray, everybody kept clear. Headed up to Roche Bernard then next day to Rieux where we ordered a new water pump from home. Unfortunately it took 11 days to arrive but Rieux is such a pretty place and cheap that we were not in too much of a hurry to leave. Fun filled days with bbqs, cycling etc. Caught up with Chris and Sue on their cat, Fatpads. Rieux When leaving Rieux we made our way back down to anchor off Arzal, 15miles away and 3hrs motoring to get the 8am opening of the lock next morning. Awoke to thick fog, which meant bouy hopping and chartplotter just to travel less than ½ mile and took about 15mins!! Lock opened and we were just about to go in when up behind us out of the fog came about 15-20 Hobi cats towed behind a couple of ribs!! Lockkeeper had them go in first and we went in behind them what a sight – amazing. They were obviously making their way out of the estuary for a race somewhere heading towards Pornic. Fog kept with us all the down to the estuary for 1½ hrs bouy hopping again. Once clear, blue skies and yes, again motoring, so much for southerly 3 to 4 which was forecast! Just as we reached the bottom of Houat the fog came in heavy again and this time we were rock dodging! Even had to put the radar on. So strange as soon as we cleared the rocks the fog disappeared unbelieveable! So here we are now on Belle Ile, we have grounded on sand, thank goodness and are just about to walk ashore. Ah we love Sauzon but we will need to get the hang of this fore and aft anchoring lark– the french make it look soooo easy – we always seem to cock it up! View of Dreamer dried out Sauzon, just left of centre. We have been away now for 92 days, where has the time gone? Thankfully the weather this year has been such an improvement from the 2 previous years. We need to be in Morlaix for the 18th September when we will be visited by one of our daughters and her family who will then take Rusty home for us in their car (as authorised by DEFRA – you can take animals abroad in your boat but you cannot bring them back. Have to come via the ferry in a car!). So when we leave here we will go via our, and some of your, old haunts Glennans, Audiernne, Morgat, Camaret, maybe Port Launey, L’Aberwrach, Ile de Batz and then Morlaix. Hopefully wind and tide will be favourable and we will be able to give the engines a rest. We hope you are all well and you have a good Bank Holiday Weekend with sunny warm weather. Take care and look after yourselves. Signing off- Diane, Ray and of course the ‘Wee Shite’ Rusty. Xx Catamaran Dreamer, Belle Ile. Dreamer Summer Cruise 2009 Part 2 Mes amies, So where are we and where have we been? At the moment we are in La Rochelle and what a place that is! Well worth a visit if you can make it via boat or car. A town full of history and magnificent buildings. We left Belle Ile at the beginning of July in glorious sun and headed for Houat where we spent a few days in really hot weather canoeing and sunbathing. From there we entered the Morbihan and as in previous years we had strong winds and at times rain. Anchored off of Ile aux Moines and Ile d’Arz and yes rain, rain rain……. One day we had 35kts of wind. Has anyone every been to the Morbihan and had good weather? This is our third time and raining!! However at times have to be fair the sun shone , good for walking ashore and exploring but very windy on the boat. Thank goodness we had good holding underneath. Up to Vannes a few days later ready to hand over Dreamer and Rusty to our baby sitters, my sister Sue and her husband Jeff, while we jet off to Corfu for our daughter Gamma’s wedding. We first had to get back to Plymouth via the Roscoff ferry and French transport. Train, train, bus… It is soooo easy – just love the French transport system, so much better AND cheaper than the UK. The wedding was fantastic and although a bit hectic with us being in France for the summer it was well worth all the travelling involved on our part. When we returned to Vannes it was great to see that everyone had gotten along so well and Rusty hadn’t bitten anyone and Sue and Jeff hadn’t conveniently ‘lost’ Rusty overboard – though I think they did panic one time when they couldn’t find him but he was just lazily lying in the sun out of sight in a blind spot!! While they were with us they drove us to Roche Bernard and Arzal. Those that know Arzal and the Lock – the entry to the Vilaine- also know the perils of entering that lock! All the boats jockeying for position against each other in the lock. Yes a 40ft English boat we had come to know this summer (name will be omitted to preserve the blushes!) was in the lock and as the gates opened the tide surged and unfortunately they were caught in a current which blew there bow off towards the wall, as they accelerated out their stern crossed the bow of another big boat whose anchor tore a huge gash in the side tube of their rib. Oops! And as they had a dog on board I think he will have to keep his legs crossed!! Mmmm …. Not sure if we want to do the Vilaine this year – it certainly is a free for all in the lock! Having waved goodbye to Sue and Jeff the third week of July, we left Vannes and made our way out through Port Navalo where initially we had 6 knots of tide under us however as we left, the wind was on the nose and we had huge seas- wind against tide for about an hour and a half. Very interesting! Making for La Turballe, sailing with 27knts of wind, we had a jammed reefing line. 5 hours later safely into La Turballe, with one of the engine alarms sounding. But wait….. Desole - no place !!! What ??!!!! They would not let us stay just for an hour to sort the main or the engine out so on to Pornichet another 3 hours away. Once back at sea with engine off, put 2 reefs in the main due to faulty reefing line and beating into 27knts wind we discovered the fan belt had snapped but that will have to wait till Pornichet. Sailing to Pornichet was like sailing the south of France I imagine. A very long beach and lots and lots of hotels. Sorted out main and changed fan belt and next day on to ile de Yeu and Port Joinville – it is huge and there was certainly room for us at the Inn there. Boats rafted 4 and 5 deep. Thankfully being a cat they put us against the pontoon. Spent a lovely couple of days exploring the island. Very much like Belle ile. Will go back there on the way back up but hopefully anchor (having seen the bays) as it is very expensive in marinas being a cat !! Early morning rise (5am) next day for Bourganey (36 miles, again 27 knts wind) smaller but very pleasant marina. However they were actually not accepting visitors as they were hosting a race for 5 days… oh no not again!!! But they were very nice and let us stay for the night AND did not charge us cat rate. Another place to come back to. Finally we were making way to La Rochelle after another 5am start! We are tied up in the Bassin des Chalutiers where they put the bigger boats. We thought we were quite big at 38ft but mmmm we are dwarfed by most of them in here!! But it is a lovely place to stay. The Aquarium is opposite, the Tourist Info just two steps away and the Musee Maritime de La Rochelle is in here as well. The whole area has been rejuvenated. The Vieux Port is quaint but very noisy as it is right in the heart of the old town. Every day there are stalls and in the evening entertainers and music. It is fantastic but very noisy if you stay there. We are about 2 minutes walk away so feel we have the best of both worlds. Also stay 3 nights pay for 2!! We have been here for 6 days and would stay longer if we could afford it. There is so much to see and do. Saturday we got the Velo Bus to Ile de Re. It is a special bus that has bike racks in it – very ingenious! It takes you across the Pont de Ile de Re to Plage de Sablanceaux from La Rochelle. We got the driver to drop us off this side of the bridge so we could cycle over it. 2.2 miles long but a great view and very impressive. From there you can cycle the island and then get the Velo Bus back again to La Rochelle. Brilliant. However pored with rain for a while and we got soaked !! Forgot to mention that when we first arrived we could not get in to the Bassin as we had to wait for the lock to open. So stayed at Port Minimes for the day. Talk about BIG !!!! It has 3600 berths with an extension planned in 2010 for another 1000!!! One day we took the train to Rochefort. We were going to visit with the boat after La Rochelle but decided to take the train instead. I can honestly say that I am glad we did not take the boat as it really did not do anything for me and would have felt it a waste of time. However horses for courses… Unfortunately we have come to the end of our stay in La Rochelle. We have wanted to come here for years and have to say that we are not disappointed. We will certainly come back again and urge anyone that can to make a visit. We have had the best coffee (and cheapest), best sardines from a quayside takeaway and best crepes …. What more can one ask?? Tomorrow we will start making our way back up the coast, hopefully able to anchor off of new places not visited on the way down. Take care, hope you all have a good summer and that we have not put you to sleep to soon. Diane, Ray and of course, Rusty the wonder dog. ‘Dreamer’ Dreamer Summer Cruise 2009. Part 1 Hi Friends How are you all doing? You may have been wondering where we have all been all this time (or maybe not!) as it has been a month now since we left home – All I can say is we are having a great time and too busy anchoring, sunbathing and just totally relaxing with this wonderful weather. At the moment we are in Sauzon – Belle ile. An island west of the Quiberon Peninsular. We are anchored fore and aft and dry out at every low tide at the farthest end of the harbour. This is one of our most favourite places as there is so much to do, walking , cycling etc and so many nice places to visit . What have we been doing since we left home? Well went back into the water at Pattersons on weds 27^th May. Water problem straight away with starboard engine so picked up a club mooring that night to sort it out, which we did after eliminating one possible cause after another. It turned out to be a blocked heat exchanger probably from sitting in the mud at Huggins. After picking up fuel next day, overnight stay in Cellar Bay we set sail for the Scillies. It was rather a bumpy ride and had quite a gybe at one stage that the back of the sail cover ripped so stopped over of St Just, Falmouth for repair where a man that can – did! (Thing is Ray, who was going to make a new sail cover before we left this summer, but what is it about a cobbler and new shoes? Just did not get around to it). While we were there we were lucky enough to meet up with our very good friends Sue and Neil on their boat Amazing Grace. Sunday saw us off again to the Scillies where we met up with John and Shaz (Meridian) and Chris and Gary (Breezer) at Tresco. All shore for a barbie that night on the beach below Cromwells Castle. We travelled around with John and Sharon for a few days to Bryher, St Martins, St Marys, St Agnes and Gugh. Beautiful weather for the week before J & S went home. Weather turned whilst at Gugh, at end of week when Chris and Gwyn joined us on Rhyonda. They had a pretty bad trip and had to stop over in Penzance for a night. That sunday the weather really got up windy and I did not get off the boat till Tuesday. Poor Ray and Rusty had to battle the wind and swell to get ashore twice a day. Joys of having a dog bless the Wee Shite! We were bouncing about but the poor monohulls were really tick-tocking. The fools – get a proper boat ! Also found another nice anchorage at St Helens Pool between St Martins and Tresco for the night before crossing the Channel on weds 10^th June to Camaret. It was rather an uneventful crossing. Weather was sunny, tried to motorsail but ended up motoring all the way. Stress free passage, but noisy! From Camaret we went to Audiernne where Dreamer stayed for a bit longer that anticipated as I had to pop (!) home for a family hiccup for a week. Lovely to see the kids and grandkids again. Whilst away Ray and Rusty bonded quite well, walking, canoeing and getting drunk together! I arrived back a week later and we set off for the Glenans as weather was looking good - again motoring. Anchored off the south side of ile St Nicolas and it was great to be back again at the Glenans. Before we came away we bought a Malibu Two XL sit on top canoe, which has proved to be great fun and a great asset for taking Rusty ashore. Just run it up on the beaches. Also good excercise ! We explored a few of the other islands from St Nicolas in the canoe and have found a fabulous flat beach to dry out on next. Next stop the Belon, which we SAILED to under the Screatcher (first time) it was brilliant – also boarded by customs. Always happens to us at the Glenans! We visited the Belon two years ago and took a liking to it. This time we anchored and had a slightly worrying night when drying out which involved a snooty hoity toity Blue Ensign T…ser, (who we heard earlier, verbally abusing his wife) (who did not like cats or Scotsmen because he kept ignoring us!) but all worked out well. To cut a long story short we moved position the next day. The Belon has some lovely coastal walks and is so pretty. Also it has the best oysters (so they say) in France. Around this time we lost navtex weather so was not sure what was happening. Having spoken to other people since, it seems they are not getting it either. Ray thought he read something on there previously about industrial action!!! From there we MOTOR SAILED to Belle ile. Short tacking inside ile de Croix to hope fully get a better cut on the wind, which continually headed us – hey ho, such is sailing! Anchored fore and aft at Sauzon. We absolutely love the place and the weather has been brilliant. We have been cycling all over the island and intend to leave for Houat then Morbihan to Vannes for the 8^th July where we will leave Dreamer with my sister Sue and her husband Jeff to baby sit Rusty and Dreamer whilst we head home for Corfu and Gemma and Ricks wedding !! Ah – c’est la vie!! Hope this hasn’t been too much of a trial to get through but I know some of you have said please keep in touch- but don’t let Ray write it! Whatever did you mean? We are all very well. Rusty seems to be coping well with his hips etc and enjoying laying in the sun and paddling - don’t we all. Hope this leaves you all in good health and have a good summer. Will contact you again when we return from Corfu. Kindest regards and happy holidays to all Diane, Ray and the Wee Shite- Rusty Puppy xxxx PS, formally of Super Nova. ‘Dreamer’, is a Fountaine Pajot, Athena 38. From: Raymond Day Sent: 26 May 2009 16:55 To: website@tmsc.org.uk Subject: Ray and Diane Day away for the summer. Hi All, Just a quick email to let you know of our plans and also all our contact numbers and emails etc. We go back in the water on Wed 27th and hope to head too the Scillys on Friday for a couple of weeks. From there we hope to cross to France, heading for Vannes where we hope to arrive on 9 July. We are then back to the UK, before we fly out too Corfu for Gemma and Ricks wedding. Then back to France and head off hopefully down to La Rochelle and We intend to return to Torpoint for the end of September. Contact details, Both our mobiles whilst in the UK. Off in France. French mobile, dial first, then when asked dial , this keeps your costs down. However when texting just use the number. Also we do have an Iridium satellite phone, , which can be used in an emergency. Costly!!! Email, however we will be slowly moving to so if you contact us on this email, all the better then we can record your email addresses. We intend to send out updates etc when we can access the internet, so we hope to keep you updated. A small request, often our internet time will be very short, can we ask that until we return home you keep the jokes to a minimum, we will not have the time to enjoy them. See you all towards the end of September. Ray, Diane and of course the Wee Shite.