La Rochelle

PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Sat 14 Jun 2008 17:31
46:08.8N 01:10.1W

We arrived in La Rochelle 33 hours out from Gijon, which I thought was very satisfying. But we had quite forgotten the differences between France and Iberia before we got here.

Firstly, we sailed into warm sunshine and shorts weather for the first time since leaving Lagos. Then the coastline was low-lying and sandy, quite unlike the Spanish coast we had just left. As we approached there were lots of boats out sailing (nothing compared to the mass fleet out at the weekend). Then there was the marina at Les Minimes itself. 3000 berths, and lots of visitors already. Unlike the Iberian ports, where full details of boat and crew were required and a specific berth allocated, here they just wanted basic details of the boat, and we were told to find a space where we could. So I asked if we could stay where we were - that will be OK the Capitanerie said. So I went for a shower, and another man from the Capitanerie was hammering on the coachroof demanding that Hilary moved the boat as the berth was needed for a big catamaran. I was retrieved from the shower-block by our neighbour, and we moved. The best we could manage was 4 boats out, next to the refuelling pontoon. Not a very encouraging start.

But today the sun has shone in more ways than one. After the early exodus, we made our way further into the heart of the marina and found a well sheltered berth, discovered chandleries stocked with everything you could imagine wanting, and capped it with delicious moules a la creme for lunch.

And then this afternoon we did something that we have talked about for years. So we now have 2 bikes to stow as well as all the other junk!

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