Foret

Foret was another huge French marina with bicycles available for free hire, so we managed to explore the lovely area and stock up from the boucherie.

We also spent a couple of nights chatting to our neighbours, another British couple Liz & Richard on a Moody Eclipse which is an interesting version with a pilothouse helm.  Chris helped with sails and we had some great chats – they are a very experienced couple! They even kindly gifted us a couple of diesel canisters and a tub of sand to use as Orca deterrent.

We ended up staying 4 days as the weather was not great, but eventually it changed again and we were able to head off again to the Isle du Glenan which so many people had talked to us about.

Ile de Glenans

We targeted a smaller island as read that the larger more popular ones were full of buoys, and set off – Jen helmed most of the way as it was good conditions for her practice.

On arrival the bay was packed with day tripper catamarans – and as we arrived the heavens opened so we were drenched quite quickly. Possibly not as much as the day trippers huddled on the beach waiting for their ride back to their boats though!

We found a nice spot and tucked ourselves in and settled down for a couple of days – which ended up being another 4 nights!! It was an interesting little island – nothing on it but a watersports centre for teenagers!  However, it was great entertainment watching boats depart and arrive every day, and see the different anchoring techniques and choices people make!

One time a French training boat, skippered and crewed by a group of young adults, ended up quite close between us and a big rock. They were kind enough to ask us if we were ok with them there and we said we were fine … but not sure the rock would be so agreeable!  They decided to move!

Dinner with Yapluka

When we were on Glenans our PYRA friends, Mark and Liddy,  sailing on Yapluka also came to a different anchorage and we accepted an invitation to dinner.  Their anchorage was a lot further than we expected, and as soon as we left the shelter of our bay it was like being in a Force 6 with quite heavy winds and seas – for a small dinghy anyway! It was high tide and we were able to take a direct route there, but were soaking by the time we arrived and had to borrow towels to dry off. The dinghy and new electric outboard were fabulous though.

Jen had made a cherry loaf cake and we enjoyed a lovely meal, but wanted to get back before night came so left them too soon.  The journey home was low tide and suddenly the way we had come didn’t seem so appealing and we decided to go North around our island – not sure whether that was the right choice as the conditions were definitely more than we would like, but eventually made it back to the safety of Yanula Blue.

The mainland calls

Eventually we decided to go back to the mainland – we were ultimately waiting for our friends Sarah and Mel to come and join us, so there was no rush to go anywhere really but we wanted to explore various places.  These included:

Plage de Kersiden – a large and peaceful beach, where paddleboarders came out to say hello on our arrival. He had been a local sailing instructor and she was a chatty Canadian who had lived in France for years. A snorkeller also told us about a tired sea bass with a lure attached to it that looked like it needed catching. Chris tried but didn’t manage it. We also enjoyed great walks round to a local market for fresh bread!

Concarneau

Concarneau – a couple of nights in a Transeurope marina to do laundry and provision. We were taken aback by the amazing walled town and explored the walls and watch local street artists.  It was a lovely place and a bit of a mini St Malo.

Leaving was a bit of a feat as all boats set off together with not a lot of room.  Chris shouted at a fisherman who was laying pots right at the exit of the marina! Mon deu!!!

Port Manec’h

Another beautiful bay with some fun on arrival as we watched a British boat get grounded.  Lots of walks and wine in a place we could have stayed for longer … but our friends were nearly due to arrive

Gavres

Little did we know this is a target holiday destination for French people – we chose it simply because it was around the corner from Port Louis where we were meeting our friends.  It was a lovely large bay – but with a tricky entry around some reefs, which were hidden at high tide, but very very apparent at low.

We were the only boat other than a catamaran who seemed to be permanently there.  The lovely owner of the catamaran called by one day with some fresh crabs he had caught – we graciously accepted them – but then looked at each other in horror! How do you cook crabs? Everyone has heard of them screaming when boiled and jumping out of the pan!!  Do we even like crabs!!??  We decided to leave them in a bucket of salt water whilst debating the dilemma – but the next day agreed to send them back to their homes in the sea.

Karma was pleased by this decision – Chris had not been having any luck catching anything other than a few mackerel and had been saying there were no fish in France! That evening he caught the biggest sea bass ever!

Port Louis

We made it the day before our friends Sarah and Mel were due to arrive, to the sound of church bells ringing to call all you sinners!