Ilse d'Yeu

The Voyages of Richard and Amanda
Wed 30 Jun 2010 15:12
This a really lovely island, we are most impressed. We decided to end get the dinghy out and motor to shore for a bit of an explore. We ended up walking across the island to the main town of Port Joinville a distance of about 3 miles. (The whole island is only about 5 x 4 miles) It is very green with lovely smells of pine woods and small houses perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. The approved colour scheme here must be white walls with blue shutters, because that is what predominates. We had a quick look at house prices and the standard size house seems to be going for 500,000 Euro and upwards, so we won't be moving here just yet.
 
Port Joinville is a busy ferry and fishing port with a marina tucked on the side. There is a thriving business in restaurants, and to get around, bike hire seems to be the prefered transport method. Having exhausted ourselves walking to the town, then filling up with moules a creme followed by crepes and ice cream, walking back didn't appeal so we caught the bus back to the village nearest the beach - a bargain for 2 Euro 40. Also Amanda's shoes were giving her blisters so fortunately we managed to find a really tasteful pair of lime green Crocs in her size (complete with wobbly eyes and moulded in scales - pictures to follow) who cares about fashion when comfort is the most importsant factor.
 
So having seen Port Joinville we don't have to move so we will have another night at anchor. We are then ready for an early getaway for the passage to Belle Ilse. This is approx 45miles NW of here. The forecasts vary but there should be some Southerly winds Force 3-4 for at  least part of the time. That would be great especially as it should still be sunny.
 
We then just have about two more stops before we get to the Raz du Sein and we move to Northern Brittany and the English Channel.