CRUISING
all flights to the island and
resulted in a two day delay
before Elaine and Sandra
eventually arrived – not by air THE LAST LEG TO BREST
as planned, but looking very
tired after an extended passage
response, the fishing boat, if some confusion before finding
on the Scillonian III. Despite
P
lanning a small boat
passage often includes that is what it was, suddenly a suitable berth, but the signs
the need to work tides illuminated us with a powerful that this will become a superb
my own weather woes I felt
– the Chenal de la Helle and the spotlight and as we passed facility were already highly
sorry for them, so onto a quick
Chenal du Four off the French swung a full 180° onto the same visible. We had arrived after
glass of something to brighten
coast being good examples. course as us. Still illuminated, a total trip of over 600M, so
their spirits and then ashore for
Although anticipated distance they followed us about 200m a glass of something bubbly
a meal. A short passage across run over any significant time can astern. Despite bringing up seemed quite appropriate.
to Tresco and the anchorage
only be a guess, I estimated our own spotlight and shining Brest runs its Festival of
at New Grimsby Sound kept
that a departure just after it at the boat, now definitely the Sea every four years and
interest alive and enabled the
midday would see us arrive off identified as a fishing vessel, Brest 2008 attracted almost
girls to go ashore to the world
the French coast at about slack he continued to follow us for 2,000 boats, ranging from
famous gardens. Although
water the following small dinghies up
morning, just in to four-masted
slightly surprised at the entry
time to catch the square riggers.
fee, they were delighted with
favourable push During our stay,
the displays. But, despite
S through the our daughter
their enthusiastic attempts
channels. We Lynda joined up
to transform me, I’m still completed the with the intention
not a convert to horticultural
early part of the of sailing home
endeavours. Opposite Tresco
Channel crossing with me. Both
lies the island of Bryher and
in sunshine with Sandra and Elaine
an evening stroll ashore led us
a pleasant breeze were scheduled
to the excellent and amusingly
that, for once, to fly back after
was in the right we visited the
named Fraggle Rock pub. A
direction. But the
very good meal at prices that
wind did fall away as night
Brest 2008
Douarnenez
festival. The trip from Brest to
made considerably more sense
approached and the engine
Music and a laser light show
Douarnenez is completed by
than some in Scilly was the
took over most of the work,
were features of the evening
the whole fleet en masse and
reward for our exertions. although the main was left up
sail past. Even the largest
makes a fabulous spectacle.
as a steadying sail. Apart from a
of sailing ships manoeuvred
Although Douarnenez’s festival
few fishing boats and a couple
through the outer harbour to
is smaller than that hosted by
of yachts there seemed to be
help make the spectacle one
Brest, it is perhaps more friendly
little in the way of big ships
to remember.
and once more we thoroughly
around. On watch alone just enjoyed the spectacle and
after 0200 and about 40M off ambience of Breton culture.
the French coast I spotted a almost half an hour. Our course After the two ladies left
set of fishing boat lights on a continued quite straight and I us, Lynda and I sailed
reciprocal course, but estimated can only assume that eventually round the Brest peninsula
that we would pass about a the other boat realised that we in bright sunshine to L’Aber
quarter of a mile apart. As we had no intention of stopping. Wrac’h, where we had a few
closed, the other vessel altered Only then did he veer off. unforgettable days in this
course to pass even closer, Perhaps we inadvertently delightful little Breton estuary
so I made a small correction stumbled into an intended before starting the long trip
to the course that ‘Popeye’, rendezvous or maybe it was back home. In conclusion,
our autopilot, was keeping. In all quite innocent, but I do have the round trip of nearly 1,400
my suspicions. miles was spread over some
Entry to the channels inside 10 weeks, including stops,
Ushant worked out just slightly but the great weather and the
ahead of the planned time and wonderful memories made 2008
as dawn broke the sun rose a season to remember. The trip
over a calm sea, the familiar home was almost a reciprocal
coastline welcoming us. Apart of our outward route, although
from a moment or two when a we stopped for a night in
clump of the rapidly spreading Dublin while our Belfast Lough
wire weed caught in the stop was at Bangor. Suffice
propeller, the passage to Pte to say that once we’d passed
St Mathieu and then into the the halfway point, crossing
Top: Le Four light with a typically Goulet de Brest was pleasant, the Channel, the weather did
large swell and breaking waves
if uneventful. With numerous its utmost to make us feel
at the northern end of the Le Four
boats sailing around in every at home. Rain, lightning and
Channel, pictured on our way to
direction a good watch was gales contrasted dramatically
L’Aber Wrac’h.
Above: Peace, shelter at last.
essential as we approached the with the climate on the French
Blue skies and delicious fresh
entrance to Brest harbour and side. Maybe a couple of quieter
croissants at L’Aber Wrac’h.
the new marina where we were cruises will follow before we
Bottom: Elaine enjoying the sail
to berth. As the marina was still gear up for another long haul to
on passage to Douarnenez. to be fully completed, we had Brest in 2012. ■
84 Sailing Today July 09
ST147
ClydetoBrestRTG.indd 106 14/5/09 13:12:46
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