Camaret

We are about to complete our 5th night in Camaret due to strong winds, rain and big seas. The shopkeepers now know Ginny by name! Plenty of time to catch up on domestic chores, admin and plan the next passage through the Raz De Sein, another notorious shortcut. Such fun..... life goes on.

Cap't Considering The Weather Forecast
Forties Mug And Rockall Mat!

Plenty of  Time For Domestic Duties
Laundry And Ironing 

La Belle Etoile Ready For Trips Around The Bay.

Lovely German Barge

Old Boat At Low Tide On Legs 

Seagull With Starfish Supper As We Head Into Town For Ours.

We went for our first meal to celebrate being in France and defeat the strong winds and rain. It had to be Moules ( Just to annoy Zoe! ). We even dressed up for the occasion.

Moules Frites And A Nice Bottle Of Local Cider

All Finished Cap't, Delicieuse!

Pointe Du Toulinguet And Pen Hat Beach

It was very windy on Thursday with 25 kt winds and a rough sea so we decided to go for a long walk. Stunning beaches, amazing German WW2 fortifications, a small museum, memorial anchors, monuments, great views and an ancient stone circle all made for a most enjoyable stroll. We enjoyed a lovely picnic as well, well it had to be a baguette, cheese and red plonk. Enjoyed watching a couple of yachts struggle manfully in the wind and waves. Oh well, no rush.......

Shear Drop From Fortifications At Pointe De Pen Hir

Museum Of The Battle For The Atlantic And Anchor Graveyard
Representing Boats Sunk And French Crew Lost

Guy On Fortifications Looking Back To Pointe De Toulinguet

Breton WW2 Monument
To The Battle Atlantique

Four Of The Tas De Pois Off The Pointe De Pen Hir
We Have Sailed Between The Last Two Previously!
Will Have To Do It Again.

Picnic Spot Sheltering From The Force 5 Gusty Winds
Guys Feet Resting After The French Picnic

For The Archaeologist In The Family!
The Menhirs ( Ancient Standing Stones )

Some Very Colourful Fauna

Small Orchids In The Grass Around
The Standing Stones

Another Sunset Or Two.

One For Jane!
Another Superb Virginie Gourmet Meal.

All set for Friday. Hopefully we will make it round to Morgat in the Baie De Douarnenez where we may anchor for a couple of nights., weather permitting. We may not have wifi so that's all for a couple of days folk's. Have a great weekend. Now for a glass of Port to finish the day - Thanks Joe.

Crossing The English Channel

     Very cold windy weather delayed our departure from UK, but we were able to occupy ourselves well in Falmouth where Guy spent many happy summer holidays from Malawi with his Mother, brother Alan and Grandparents. It was here that Guy first got a taste for sailing with his Grandfather, Grenville Dyson on trips around the bay sailing and catching mackerel. It was here that Guy also started his life in UK in 1976 from Rhodesia and joined the Army for 3 years Bed & Breakfast! 37 years later, he is back in Falmouth after a 35 years in the Army and about to launch off on a sailing adventure!

Ginny Planning The Route. Simple 180 South!

Mary & Andrew With Ginny

     We managed to meet up with good friends Mary & Andrew who proudly hosted us for supper in their wonderful flat overlooking the finishing line for all yacht races of the  Royal Cornwall Yacht Club with Flushing in the distance where we would love a house. Dream on Guy. We also shared a last meal with them in UK, a visit to the Gurkha Restaurant, delicious.

Flushing From M&A's Window.
A Most Fantastic Ever Changing View

Low Tide Falmouth Quay

     We thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Maritime Museum as the wind howled outside. Guy took the pictures of Low and High tide as a good reminder to get calculations right and one of the big problems we won't face in the Med. There is so much power in the water which should also be harnessed.

Maritime Museum, Falmouth

A Silhouette Yacht Like Grandpa Dysons
Happy Holidays In Cornwall

High Tide In Falmouth Quay
Won't have This Problem In The Med!

Pendennis Castle, The Maritime Coastguard HQ & Falmouth Hotel
Good Bye England.

Skipper All Smiles, May The Force Be with You.

Heading 180 South. Happy Days.

Guy In The Crows Nest.
Still No Sight Of France.

    We departed Falmouth at 0900 hrs with the plan of sailing on a course of 180 South. Due to a lack of wind, we had to switch on the metal sail and motor. We had no wind for the whole trip so it was a long motor. We had to dodge a few ships in the shipping lane but AIS made this all so much easier. We took it in turns to do 2 hr watches throughout the trip as it was only a full days sail. The highlights of the trip were missing the ships, the stunning sunset, the Cornish Pasties and a gorgeous full moon. The sea was very confused after a few days of strong winds but relatively easy going. We managed our arrival at the Chanel Du Four bang on time to get the tide through this notorious short cut and arrived at Camaret in France at 0840 hrs on Sunday 26th May after 137 nm safe passage taking 23 hrs 40 mins using 44 ltrs of fuel plus several chocolate biscuits and numerous cups of tea and coffee.

      The bend in the route, on the map below, is caused by the tide. You head South on a continuous course and the tide pushes you one way (west) the the other (east) and the you make sure you are at the right location to shoot through the Chanel Du Four at the right time to avoid 9 knot tides around the many rocks. Easy if you get it right, treacherous if wrong!

A Bit Of Fun With The Ships!

Oh What A Lovely Cornish Pasty!

This Was A Close One At Night. 1/2 nm! Such Fun.
Don't Panic!

Tied Up In Peaceful Camaret.

Our Route From Start Point To Fowey Then Falmouth.
The Crossing Route From Falmouth To Camaret
Through The Chanel Du Four.

The Old Wooden Fishing Boat Graveyard At Camaret

The Seaman's Church And Tour Vauban In The Background

Camaret Bay With Seaman's Church (Chappelle Rocamadour) & Tower 

     It was a glorious day so despite being shattered, we went for an exploration walk around the Bay of Camaret which included the inevitable visit to a bar for a few celebratory drinks and free wifi! Skipper had a few quiet moments in the stunning Seaman's Church, on the way back to K2, for future safe passages.

Seaman's Church, The Tower And Ginny

The Seaman's Church, Chapelle Notre Dame de Rocamadour.

Kisti Two At Peace In Camaret.
Note The French & Brittany Flags.

Ginny And The Folding Bikes

    The weather report was not good so we booked in for two more nights in Camaret. This gave us a chance to try out the bikes and have a cycle up to the Pointe des Espangnols over looking the Goulet de Brest, after a visit to the tourist office to get armed up with maps and guide books for Ginny. 4 hours later, with very tired legs and sore bums, we stopped to buy some lovely French cakes in Camaret and headed back to K2 for high tea. Just in time as the wind and rain suddenly attacked us at great force as we put on a few more shore lines. The bikes were excellent except for Guys seat, now known as the 'castrator'! owwww

Ginny & Map - Pure Contentment....
The Rucksack Has 3 More Maps!
OMG, Take Cover Guy.

The 'CASTRATOR'

Rosconval Church With Nepalese Bell Tower

Camaret Has Many Artists, Here Is One Of Their Houses.

      It is now blowing a strong wind accompanied with rain so now for some rest and see what tomorrow brings - Ginny has been reading all those guide books so expect more exercise Guy! What next, a 15 mile hike?  It has been fun watching some French TV. If only Guy had paid more attention to learning he French language at school in Rhodesia instead of concentrating on the lovely lady who struggled to teach us. Bon Nuit to one and all. 

Dartmouth To Falmouth

     We had a couple of days rest in Dartmouth enjoying the evenings sunsets and visiting friends. A memorable visit was to Robert & Sunil who have a lovely house at the top of Stoke Gabriel up the River Dart. We enjoyed a dip in the Hot Tub to ease aching joints and then were entertained to an exhilarating ride in Roberts Renault 'Twizzi', an electric F1 Go-cart ideal for the narrow lanes of Devon.

Dartmouth Sunset.
On Visitors Pontoon With Kingswear In Background.

Ginny Being Twizziled!

Stoke Gabriel From Robert & Sunils House.

    We set off early from Dartmouth on Tue 21 May 13 and it was not long before the wind and waves picked up. We soon had a reef in the main followed by a second and as always the wind was coming from where we wanted to go so we had to put in a few tacks to get to Fowey, a total of 69nm and taking just under 12 hours. As a matter of interest, we are flying 3 flags on our starboard shroud, the first is the self designed (now torn) Royal Gurkha Rifles Sailing Association burgee. We have been the only members to date although I believe James Birch has now also joined so he can be the Commodore! The second flag is the Cruising Association we have joined and the lowest is the Dorset Flag.

Our Flags!
 RGRSA, CA & Dorset.

Ginny At The Helm - All Smiles.

     The wind was from the North West, very cold and blustery blowing from F4 - F6. This meant the oilies had to come out for a good airing. The yellow pocket has a personnel locating beacon using AIS should one of us fall off! Lets hope not. There were naval live firing excersises going on in the bay and a submarine suddenly popped up behind us off Plymouth and then stormed away at great speed followed by several low flying jets. Don't panic!!

Guy Enjoying The Stiff Breeze.
All Wrapped Up Looking Forward To The Med Warmth.

Where Did That Sub Come From? 

   We tied up to a buoy in Fowey Harbour and then enjoyed a well earned meal and drink while watching another lovely sunset. We then collapsed exhausted to sleep as the wind died down. We awoke early and headed off again before the Harbour Master arrived to charge us for the nights stay on the buoy. Part of the great game played by yachties and Harbour Masters all over. Score 1 - 1 at present.

Fowey Sunset.

Fowey At 0630 hrs.

Skipper Enjoying His Brew Having Beaten The Harbour Master.

It was a very gentle sail round to Falmouth and gave us time to rest and recover from the previous days challenge. The mackerel fish did not bite, we were doing 6 knots! A bit fast unless they were Olympian mackerel. We passed a few boats including a lovely old pilot yacht. It was lovely to see St Anthony's Lighthouse at the River Fal entrance as the wind picked up again. A few tacks up river and we were soon tied up at the Visitors Pontoon where we are staying until this low blows through, probably Saturday. Time for a bit of admin, shopping, laundry and meeting up with more friends before the big push south to France across the English Channel.

Gentle Sail Round To Falmouth.
Galley Slave With Another Brew.

A Lovely Pilot Yacht Passing Bye.

A Plate Full Of Roast Beef.
A Very Happy Skipper!

All Smiles.
Well Done Chef.