To France
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Fri 4 Jun 2010 08:50
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47.52.564N 004.07.201W
Monday
Sunday had offered much less wind than the forecast
so we decided to leave Monday morning unless there was anything dire in the
forecast. The series of lows coming in from the Atlantic meant that it was
unlikely to match ideal conditions for a passage south across the sea areas
Fastnet, Sole and Biscay. We were heading for South Brittany on a course approx
SE which was the direction the wind was forecast to come from. No problem- they
have been wrong the last few days! Not today! We up anchored at 06.30 and motor
sailed west of south in an increasing breeze and hoped to meet the forecasted
westerlies in early afternoon. The day was grey and gloomy and we did not meet
the W wind until early evening and Moonbeam took off very smoothly with 2 slabs
in the main and 5 rolls in the genoa and no mizzen, making an effortless 6.75
knots for at least 12 hours, bang on course for the Raz de Sein.
 Tuesday morning was drier but the wind had gone
round to the NW giving a light dead run so we gybed off to fill the sails and
maintain some boat speed. The sun came out late morning and with blue skies and
a sparkling sea everything seemed much more worthwhile!
The AIS proved very useful in avoiding shipping (
and getting them to avoid us! ) We were buzzed twice by a light aircraft
very low- perhaps the French Customs checking up on us again!
The breeze kept up all day but went into the
NW so we ended up gybing downwind to keep the sails filled and on course. We
then had to keep S of the course to keep clear of the stream of ships heading
for the Channel and when the wind went to the N we gybed again onto a broad
reach which although it got tighter gave us a very comfortable course all
night which was completely clear and the sky full of stars and the misshapen
moon rose on the starboard bow. A perfect night at sea but cold in the
morning,
 We came in to Brittany South of the Raz de Seine
but the wind finally died about 11.00 so the engine came on; washing was
done;deck shower christened and we motored for 3 or 4 hours into Sainte-Marine
on the west bank of the river Odet and went a/s the long "visiteur"
pontoon. 320 miles logged. We were very tired but pleased that
everything had gone well and apart from the first spell the weather had gone
according to plan.
 Entrance
 Marina Berth Had a little drink to celebrate then ended up
for drinks aboard "Salvation Jane" RCC along with Enki IV RCC. A quick dinner
ashore (of fresh crab) and we do not remember our heads hitting the
pillow.
Woke up Thursday ( I think) to an already hot
morning, went for croissants and pottered at jobs, went for a walk and generally
did not a lot. We might stay a week! Went to the beach where there was evidence
of the state of the French economy- quite a lot of the ladies obviously could
not afford a complete swimsuit and obviously could only afford half of one. We
were told that on some beaches people are very poor and cannot afford a
swimsuit at all! We will go for a crepe tonight which we are reliably (?)
informed are the best in the world!
 
 Now hot and sunny and the shorts are on
!
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