Homecoming
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Sat 27 Sep 2025 10:35
50:12.48N 03:43.77W
Made the decision to leave Brest before any tail end of Hurricane Gabrielle could affect the Channel. W
Did a biggish shop in Carrefour, one of the shops has an arrangement with the marina to take yachties to the store, then bring them back with their shopping. A perfect service, even down to being given a token for the trolley.
Did the laundry and w ent twice to customs for A to get her passport stamped to check out of Schengen. Sign said open until 18:00 but only open for passports until 16:30! Why?
Had to refuel after motoring so much across Biscay, a self service set up that only allowed 70 litres at a time. Card gave out after twice filling with 70- had to use another one to top up. Technology! Harrumph.
11 ish by the time we left but timing was good for the Chenal du Four, the notorious channel going north from Brest, between the islands and mainland which is a fierce tidal race. Need to enter at slack water and need to be wary of severe waves if the wind is against the tide, but all went according to plan. Left in sunshine.
Were expecting a very slow crossing with a great deal of motoring. However, we had pretty constant 10 knot winds and sailed well, albeit mostly close -hauled into the wind, meaning we were heeling over and not very comfortable.
Winds took us to Salcombe and on the approach spotted several puffins. There is no colony nearby so obviously birds were migrating across the channel and Biscay. Such shy creatures, diving out of sight as soon as a boat approaches.
With tides and short days our arrival at the Exe would have been in the dark and against the tide, so decided to anchor in Starehole Bay at the entrance to Salcombe but we had forgotten how gloomy it can be there, as the point casts shadows over the bay. Decided to try somewhere different and went across the Salcombe channel and dropped anchor in Elender Cove, just round from Prawle Point, perfect for an evening beer in the cockpit, enjoying the last of the sun, watching a few lone walkers on the south west coastal path.
The celebratory Spanish beer was soon followed by French duck cassoulet with
a glass ( or 2) of St Emilien courtesy of Carrefour. A fitting end to 10 years of cruising( including 2 of Covid and 1 of repairs after the accident) Will probably check out the new mooring on the Exe tomorrow and then remove excess « stuff » from the boat before we lift out in Totnes mid month for the winter.
141 miles, 31.5 hours, approx 6 hours under engine, average 4.5 knots per hour- it was slow!
Back in UK waters after 10 years, thinking of our next chapter.
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