We sailed through the night into the 11^th August as we rounded the France coast off Brest and headed further South for Benodet 47:52.75N 4:07.14W

The sun rose and the day turned out to be a fine one at that. We had gone from sailing at a constant 7 Knt’s or should I say absolutely mocking across the entrance to the British channel in darkness to a bright new day. This welcomed change bought with it reduced wind speeds and calmer sea’s.

Apart from Craig who was violently ill and slept/chucked most of the journey, Fi and I did not get a lot of rest but I think both of us were having too much fun to worry.  The biggest problem for us has been the masses of fishing markers or crab pots dotted absolutely everywhere so a good keen eye is always required to look out. Then as we headed our way into port in the dark once again we discovered our Radar was not working properly and we could not make it receive the obstacle’s out in the water. It was a real pain, unlike the UK where all the harbors are lit up like Christmas trees, Benodet was very, very dark, and very unsettling it is to come into an unfamiliar port in the pitch black heading for very shallow water and not knowing where the inlet to the river was. I sent Craig and Fi to the bow of the boat with a huge spot light to see if they could find the marks to come in while I navigated using the contour lines in the chart to ensure I did not go aground. All to top it off was a loud concert going on of our starboard side in an amphitheatre.

We motored up the river at about 11PM in darkness and in desperate need for rest and a wash, until we found a buoy to pick up. I much prefer to pick up a buoy as it is very easy to do, a lot more private and cost’s about half the price as a pontoon berth so we did and went to sleep.

We spent the morning cleaning and improving the boat before we headed out to see the town.  Believe me it was not much but the others seemed to think it was lovely. Well back to our beloved boat we went to plan for the next days sail

Special comments by Fiona:  Ben failed to mention that I was sent up the mast in the middle of the sea and in big swells to untangle our Spinnaker halyard which got twisted around the television antenna.  A very scary experience, one that I’m not keen on doing again!  Back in the safety of the cockpit I felt a great sense of achievement having braved the dizzy heights of climbing up the swaying mast.  At our destination and after 39 hours at sea (our longest so far), I was exhausted but full of adrenalin at our achievement to date.

Day 019

Destination – Benodet

Traveling Direction – South South East

Wind Direction – North West (Good breeze F4/F5)

Average Speed 4.88 Knots

Top Speed 9.2 Knots Over Ground 

Total distance 188.2 Nautical Miles

Travel Time 38.5 Hours

Crew     - Fiona (Tired)

            - Craig (Sick Sick Sick)

Missing Work - I do not think So

Expenses - €4 Hot Showers, Provisions €25

Next Destination – La Trinete Sar Mer