1-2 June: Passage details - Belle Ile to Vendee - Port Morin, Ile Noirmoutier

Gaudeo
John and Prue Quayle / John Quayle
Fri 8 Jun 2007 18:59
8th June: Now in the Vendee; down comes the Breton courtesy flag.
 
After Belle Ile, a glorious sail  across the Loire estuary - given the shallows and navigation hazards in this area, it seems even more astonishing that the raid on St Nazaire in WW2  could have reached the target let alone mission succeed.
 
Just as the last time we were in this area, we were boarded by the Douanes; this time they were not so aggressive nor heavily armed but it is always a disturbing experience. At least when the outboard motor of their launch (RIB) failed to start, we were able to tease them that they may have to come with us to Spain.  Last year in Orkney, we were boarded by British customs who found evidence of illegal substances on door handles! Though we did not know it at the time and it was somewhat alarming for us, the tests apparently are extremely sensitive - about 10% of £20 notes are contaminated - and this apparently is a  common finding for customs officers. Visits from these people always make one feel guilty despite having nothing to hide. 
 
Onwards then to Pornic, an old favourite of ours with its lovely old town, charming harbour, superb market, and grand holiday houses / mature gardens set back from  gorgeous beaches.
 
Next day and tiring following a surfeit of langoustines, scallops and fish, and suffering from the heat, we moved on to find a beach with a cool breeze and for a swim, and have anchored off an empty, long, sandy beach near Port Morin on the W side of Ile de Noirmoutier where we came with  Anna on June Dawn 5 years ago - again no other boats except for a few Hobie cats.