Voyaging

 

A boat is for using and I would not wish you to think that I do nothing but renovate, renovate and renovate. As you may remember launch was in July which had delayed the big plan to head south for this year, so the revised plan was to shakedown by sailing locally and then increasing the distances as we resolved teething issues that might need some additional support. An early trip to Poole provided a very nice challenge with weather as we raced to get in before a summer gale and monsoon, we wanted to visit the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Poole and visit friends and so we did victualling and refuelling at the yacht haven at the RAFYC.      

Looking down from the PPYH

  We almost missed the heavy winds and rain but not quite as you can see Seascape performed admirably in conditions where the wind gusted over 30 knots she was forgiving and graceful just as we had hoped. We made it into the RMYC and enjoyed a lovely weekend of hospitality.

 

On to the Channel Immediately following the first trip we took some holiday and headed towards (Never "TO" which would be presumptive for the superstitious) The Channel Islands and Brittany. For those that think the travelling across the channel is an anxious trip take a look at the video where you can see we sailed across from Poole to Cherbourg in perfect sailing conditions. Seascape romped along in the conditions easily making in excess of 7 knots and providing an exceptionally comfortable and fast trip to France arriving relaxed and very rested which was very satisfying indeed.   Frances took the opportunity of hoisting the courtesy flags, first upside down (International sign of distress) and then the correct way up!    

From Cherbourg we replenished our wine stocks at Normandy Wine warehouse and Carrefour and headed off to Braye Harbour on Alderney.      

Rainbow over Braye

       

Storm coming

Sunset

  On Southwards After a lovely stay in Alderney where we walked around the port and had an early beer in the Divers pub (us still on French time - whoops!) they were relaxed so I doubt we were the earliest drinkers at just before 11am. Next morning we had an early start to catch the tide down the Swinge towards Lezardrieux in Brittany. It was a truly spectacular trip leaving in the early morning before sunrise and catching the most beautiful of sunrises off the coast of Alderney was very special indeed.      

Almost        

Morning

The Big Russell off Guernsey

Our voyage down to Lezardieux was productive, if not too exciting with quite a lot of motoring, but we arrived and decided to take a look at La Corderie a location which we had seen and would dearly have loved to anchor in.       

La Corderie

  Unfortunately many there had already blessed their presence and the last thing I felt comfortable doing was anchoring in a confined space with the risk of grounding on our first foreign trip so we headed off up the river to Lezardrieux and took a berth in the marina.      

Lezardrieux berth

After a restful evening we went up to see the market and take advantage of a lovely restaurant for lunch. The market had some lovely Breton musicians playing their pipes and trad music which entertained the crowds and we enjoyed as ever perusing the various stalls selling fish and seafood and beautiful fresh veg not forgetting of course the bread and patisserie. At the first opportunity we headed off to sit outside the restaurant on a lovely warm day and had a lunch that was truly divine. Lunch was extraordinary, starting with amuse bouche of tuna that was coated with a mix of salt and sugar followed by oysters and a fish stockpot to die for. The oysters were immaculately shucked and after the meal I went to ask the proprietor and chef what the secret was as well as to thank him for a truly memorable lunch. The secret to opening oysters , well now I am inducted I am not allowed to say !      

Lessons

The following day we decided to head for St Quai de Portrieux , as we were preparing to leave there was the sound of heavy footsteps on the pontoon and we observed almost a dozen douaniers Approaching with intent. We casually carried on shortening lines and the. I casually asked them if they wished us to stay. Luckily they were more interested in the Jersey bound yacht alongside us and bade us Bon voyages. Without hesitation we left and motored out of the beautiful river towards the east. Once offshore we enjoyed a sail which continued to exceed our expectations, on a broad reach the wind increased from a gentle force 2 towards a high end  5 and Seascape just picked up her skirts and flew faster and faster, without fuss or drama we were tramping along at speeds that we had not experienced on a yacht previously. In fact we kept checking the log against the GPS in case the instruments were cheating. From 7 knots we soon achieved 8.5 and then topped 9 with a whoop. It was like surfing a jumbo jet, soon we were topping 10 and unbelievably at some points we hit 13knots AMAZING If you don't believe me see the video below to experience what she feels like at speed.