HOEDIC AND PASSAGE TO LA TURBALLE
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Wed 2 Jul 2014 06:01
Tuesday 1 July. A lovely 24 hours in Hoëdic, an island very similar in feel to Alderney, but smaller. Ashore, there were a surprising number of shops and cafés etc in the small town – and a boulangerie, so fresh croissants for breakfast! Most of the dwellings seemed to be summer gÎtes, but no doubt fishing was the main industry previously. The ravages of WW1 reached even here – it lost 11 (phot) of its presumably tiny community, with one poor family losing four members. Ranging further afield, we came across a slightly sinister construction (phot) – two giant low profile buildings in the middle of nowhere. We can only assume they cover the island’s reservoir (with the roofs draining into them), presumably to reduce the salt contamination carried ashore by winter gales over the low ground….
After a tranquil night (especially compared to the previous one!) we had planned to set sail after breakfast, but with the wind on the nose regarding our next destination (La Turballe) and a forecast promising a shift for the afternoon, we decided to stay put for a while longer. The morning was spent ‘fixing boats in exotic places’ and studying music (no prizes for guessing which crew member was doing what!).
We sailed after lunch – into a flat calm! The donk did its stuff for a couple of hours until a fitful NW breeze filled in and wafted us to La Turballe, where the most helpful ‘Capitaniere’ launch found a berth for us. 24 hours here, then a short hop to Piriac-sur-Mer where we will RV with Trisha and Sian on 3rd…
