|
TMSC Summer Cruise to
Bénodet
on Pleione.
26th July, 11:15 am, we departed the Torpoint Yacht marina bound initially
for Corrijou bay. We, being myself, and three crew members, Tony Jackson,
a workmate from PCMC, Jeff Bidgood and Dave (Kojak) Mathews from the TMSC
club. First stop was Mayflower marina to take on fuel. We motored out to
Plymouth breakwater to meet the other yachts in our group (various groups
were formed of similar sized vessels to sail to France in company), but
there was no one to be seen. It transpired that they met early and decided
to go without us, nice! So after raising sail, we were off in a light NW
breeze of force 2 to 3.
The sailing was good with steady speeds between 4 and 5 knots, and slowly
we ticked off the miles. Day turned to night, and we enjoyed watching
stars that looked like you could reach up and touch them. Then slowly,
each of us, except Dave, succumbed to male de mare.
Early the next morning, the sun came up and the wind went down so the
engine (Iron Topsail) was started. By 10:30 we had Corrijou bay in sight,
through a myriad of rocks, fortunately, members of the local sailing club
were on hand to lead us through. By 11:12, we were secured to a mooring
buoy in the beautiful bay.
That evening we were entertained by the locals, who arranged a fantastic
BBQ for us all, washed down with plenty of local wine, a good time was had
by all. The following morning found us all a little worse for wear, except
Dave, who is one of those annoying people who suffers not from hangovers
or seasickness.
An early 07:00 start was required for the next port of call, Camaret, to
make best use of the tides. The wind was light so we departed under
engine. After passing Libentor and Basse Papian buoys the wind picked up
and allowed us to sail close hauled, but it did not last. By 15:07 we were
moored alongside a pontoon in Camarets marina. All crews made use of the
showers and we had a nice meal ashore.
The 28th was spent in Camaret due to bad weather, so we took the
opportunity to explore the town, beaches and coastal paths. It is
surprising how similar the landscape is to Cornwall in that area.
The next day was sunny, and the wind was still brisk, but we departed for
Bénodet
and at first motored into a lumpy sea and headwind. By 11:00 we
were sailing with a 10 knot beam wind and were enjoying ourselves once
again. The trip took all day and it was 21:00 before we tied up in the
marina at
Bénodet. In the evening we were entertained by the
Bénodet
yacht
club and had a meal ashore. The next day was spent exploring the town and
doing some sunbathing on the beach, again followed by a delightful meal
ashore.
On 01st August, we departed
Bénodet
with members on the local club for a
visit to the beautiful off lying Isles De Glenan. By mid-day, we were
moored on a visitors buoy in one of the anchorages. Our local French
friends organised a BBQ and fun was had by all with games and singing.
These islands are very beautiful, not unlike the Scilly isles off
Cornwall. That night we slept onboard after enjoying a fantastic evening.
The following morning, without Ralph, who had to start back for Plymouth,
we set sail for Concarneau, although after a short time the wind failed
and it was back to the Iron Topsail. By mid-day we were alongside a
pontoon in Concarneau marina, the entrance of which was as very least,
interesting. Once settled, we spotted 4 other yellow Mosquito flags, those
of Sethor, Guider Rose, Rebel and Footloose. That evening we had a most
pleasant meal ashore and late night, knowing we could have a lay-in on the
morrow.
We spent the next day in port exploring the beautiful walled city of
Concarneau, which was well worth the effort to get there.
On 04th August, at 04:30 in the morning, we reluctantly departed
Concarneau in light rain, we had a slight navigation panic as the outer
red buoy light was not working. Later in the morning we tried sailing but
the wind was too light to make sufficient speed. 09:30 saw us passing Cap
Carval and at 10:30, breakfast of bacon and eggs was served. Shortly after
we were able to sail close hauled in 10 knots of wind. As the day
progressed the wind increased to 20 knots +, and warranted a reef in the
main. We reached our next port of Audierne at 14:30 and tied up to a
mooring buoy. For the first time on the trip, we were visited by customs
to check our papers. During the afternoon, the harbour was full of
Optimist dinghies and windsurfers giving us much to watch and enjoy. The
evening was spent enjoying a splendid meal ashore.
Another 07:00 start saw us motoring in light conditions to our next port,
Le Conquet. We had a short sail but the wind refused to play ball. The
approach to Le Conquet was challenging with rocks either side of the
channel, but we safely navigated in, and after the fourth attempt, managed
to get the anchor to hold in a spot very close to the rocky shore and next
to local moorings, the only space available.
Le Conquet is a quaint French fishing port, with a lively ferry fleet
taking people to the off lying islands off the Raz de Sein. We decided to
stay another day as we loved it so much, eating at good restaurants and
visiting the local Flee market.
We departed Le Conquet on 07th August and made sail, fighting the last of
the south tide, but with the wind on the beam, destination Plymouth. The
trip home across the channel was uneventful and pleasant. By 09:30 the
next day we were passing the Eddystone lighthouse and by 12:50, we were
back in the marina at Torpoint, at the end of a very successful and
enjoyable trip.
|
