We decided on an early (ish) start this morning as we had changed our plan to visit Belle Ille for a couple of reasons. At the time we would have arrived, it would have meant us picking up a mooring, as there wouldn’t have been enough tide to get through to the inner harbours. This would have meant blowing up the dinghy to get ashore, and you know how if feel about inflating, deflating, and storing the dinghy!! The other was a far more practical reason, in that we also need to get fuel fairly soon and access to the fuel berth in Belle Ille is restricted by the tide as it’s on the harbour wall. So Pornichet it was to be……….Belle Ille will need to wait till another time.
As we reached the end of Ille de Groix we were met by a “Securite” vessel who was explaining and gesticulating wildly that the French Airforce were using the firing range but explaining that they would be finished sometime between 1000 and 1100. It was pointless going back to the marina so we hove to and put the kettle on. Within 10 mins they were back giving the all clear. We were listening to Channels 6 and 16, but we couldn’t understand what exactly was being said, but we didn’t wish for our sabbatical to come to an explosive end! The safety boat is a sound idea and welcomed by us, and I dare say all foreigners not fluid in French.
The next part of the trip was covered in lovely sunshine with Sara sunbathing on top of the coach roof – so much for active and involved crew…….
It stayed that way most of the day until about 10 miles out from Pornichet when both the wind and the waves increased until we were sailing along in a F5 and climbing, with increased swell and waves. (Sara had come back inside by this point – she must have been exhausted). Looking on the charts for the gap into the bay it had looked a bit narrow and with the seas lifting I was being careful to ensure our track was correct. As it transpired the gap wasn’t too narrow to squeeze the sea up even more, and into the bay sailed with the sea flatter but the wind piping up further. We went into the marina and tied up at a free hammerhead berth, and then went and reported to the marina office, who were happy where we had parked. We will enjoy a relaxing evening on board, as we intend spending at least a couple of nights here.
Plan for tomorrow is to spend the day visiting St Nazaire, and instead of taking the boat up the river and staying overnight in the commercial harbour, we will go by either train or bus.