About this site

Piers and Lin du Pré bought their new Fleming 55 / 129, Play d'eau, in 2003.

She was berthed in Beaucette Marina, Guernsey in the Channel Islands at N49° 30’.197 W002° 30’.350 until she was sold in October 2021.

This site charts the thrilling adventures they had in her.

You can contact us here.

Where’s Play d’eau?

If the new owners have the AIS on, you can find where Play d'eau is right now.

Click here.

Zoom in and our position will be shown on a map.

Recent Posts

Leg 18 – Port Louis to Sainte Marine – 26 August 2013

Play d’eau catches the early morning sun at Port Louis
click to enlarge

This was a perfect journey. So gentle, so beautiful.

Why Sainte Marine when we had planned for one our favourite marinas, Port La Fôret? Vendée Globe racing yachts had filled the marina leaving no room to spare for Play d’eau, but Sainte Marine opened their arms to us.

The nav plan

Todays’ cruise had no pinch points. The wind would be from the N and NE and we’d be fully protected from it by the land.

The weather

A good forecast became reality. No complaints.

The journey

So we left Port Louis in warm, full sunshine with clear skies above and the N’ly wind behind us. We reversed from our mooring between the pontoon and the trawlers, turned to starboard and headed into the calm water of Lorient harbour.

Dawn was still breaking as we reversed between the pontoon and the trawlers
click to enlarge

The journey was uneventful apart from one trawler returning to its home port and one small fishing boat. We suspect neither had seen us, being too intent on counting their catches. Being once bitten twice shy, both had five blasts and altered course immediately – Kahlenbergs work really well!

Arriving

Arrival was simplicity itself. A call on Canal Neuf giving a five minute warning and one of the Capitainerie’s dory’s was by our side to show us to our mooring. So helpful.

Looking around, we’d forgotten the area is so pretty and delightful. Sainte Marine is on the west side of the river Odet, Benodet on the east side.

Motor Cruiser Tranquil Light

Would you believe, a boat we’d first met at Sainte Marina three years ago, and which had seen us seen in Port Haliguen was moored in front of us.

Martin and Joyce and their Prestige 46 Tranquil Light
click to enlarge

Martin and Joyce of Tranquil Light, a Jenneau Prestige 46, had been cruising the west coast of France since May and are only now on their way home.

Martin brewed a luscious Cappuccino and Joyce presented some great mini-macaroons. We know who to visit for elevenses, afternoon tea, after dinner, hmmm – anytime….

The tecky details

Departed Port Louis – 0931
Arrived Sainte Marine – 1511
Time on passage – 5hr 40min
Total planned distance – 35.0nm
Longest leg – 17.0nm from Les Trois Pierres to Corn-Vas WCM
Tides: Midway twixt Springs to Neaps
Tech issues – nil
Incidents – nil
Navigational info: The river Odet flows at 4kts at springs which catches so many boaters unaware when mooring.

Piers and Lin
From the Nav Table of
Play d’eau

You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.

The trawler that altered course 70 degrees to avoid us. Kahlenbergs work brilliantly
click to enlarge

Sheer beauty
click to enlarge

2 comments to Leg 18 – Port Louis to Sainte Marine – 26 August 2013

  • Pip

    What a nice change that you had a “still” journey! Shame you didn’t manage to get into Port Foret but at least you had the pleasure of the jazz group when you were last there!
    Enjoy the peace and tranquility.
    Pxx

    • Hi Pip. Just arrived in L’Aber Wrac’h. Great journey – will try to update the posts in the next couple of days since we may press on to Roscoff and take advantage of the current weather window.

      Shame about the jazz. I’ll have to send an email to Alain apologising.

      Much love – Piers

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