BACK DOWN LA VILAINE RIVER

Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Mon 7 Jul 2014 12:51
47:31.3N 2:18.4W

Sunday 6 July. The truly miserable weather of yesterday was still with us first thing, but at least the rain had stopped by the time the skipper helped Trisha and Sian carry their bags to the station. It’s been such fun having you both on board, and we are only sorry that it was for such a short time. Please come again!

After the goodbyes, our plan was to make good progress towards the barrage at Arzal. We crept out of the Redon marina’s permanently open lock (phot) with only centimetres to spare under the keel; it appears the level in the river had been lowered overnight – hence the look of concentration on the skipper’s face (phot). Once through swing bridge at Cran, we enjoyed steadily improving weather and the sights of the river (several phots): riverboats (both running and abandoned), heart stopping low hanging wires, cow dipping mechanisms etc. Not what Aquila is normally used to encountering!

We stopped for a couple of hours at Roche Bernard marina to have a wander round this charming old town, and then continued for the last few miles towards the barrage, in the vicinity of which we had planned to spend the night. However, it was apparent that the only real shelter to be had from the enduring W5 wind was above Roche Bernard. So plan B was adopted, and after retracing our steps for 40 minutes or so we found ourselves a convenient buoy in perfect shelter some 5 miles up river (phot) of the barrage – which we will tackle tomorrow morning.
Needless to say, no internet connection here, so will post this when we can….

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