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.

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Recent Posts

Leg 19 (2015) – Camaret to l’Aber Wrac’h to Roscoff

Against the black clouds, the sunlight was breathtaking

Even though we’d had a somewhat tiresome passage yesterday, it had been unexpectedly rewarded by the second best dinner we’ve had whilst on holiday this year.

If ever there’s a reason to visit Camaret, it’s the Restaurant of the small Hotel Vauban. Having eaten and although tired, we felt back on form. …

Continue reading Leg 19 (2015) – Camaret to l’Aber Wrac’h to Roscoff

Leg 18 (2015) – Sainte Marine to Camaret

The day we left, the dawn sun was glowing through the milky cloud

We’ve never, ever been in such threatening seas.

Leaving Sainte Marine heading south, the wind was calm and the sea flat but soon we were heading into a slow, smooth swell which I have to say was rather enjoyable, even soothing. …

Continue reading Leg 18 (2015) – Sainte Marine to Camaret

Ambushed by the weather

Endless black clouds and high winds assail us

Own up – who turned our brilliant weather off?

The 6 weeks following our departure from Audierne on 12th June have been utterly glorious. Sun cream by the gallon (well, not quite), calm seas and blue skies, all courtesy of a friendly Azores high pressure system spreading its wings over Play d’eau. It was perfect. …

Continue reading Ambushed by the weather

Leg 3 (2015) – Camaret to Audierne

Ocean Pearl squeezes into the marina

After our horrid yet triumphant marathon passage making yesterday, we had a day off to recuperate – with croissants and hot chocolate.

If we missed tomorrow’s weather window we’d be stuck for at least a week whilst the forecast NE gales played endless and annoying percussion by slapping rigging against masts of neighbouring yachts. …

Continue reading Leg 3 (2015) – Camaret to Audierne

Leg 2 (2015) – St Peter Port to Camaret

Descending into the trough of the 3m swell

By 1am we were up and dressed. The light of the full moon was reflecting off the glassy flat harbour sea untouched by any hint of a wind. Perfect.

Yet we knew that when we rounded St Martin’s Point we’d meet a 3m Atlantic swell topped with 1m waves stirred up by a NE4 wind. …

Continue reading Leg 2 (2015) – St Peter Port to Camaret

Leg 20 – Camaret to L’Aber Wrac’h – 29 August 2013

We left Camaret in thick fog

Yes, yes, yes! Fog – and lots of it. Maybe 100m maximum. So today we’d be on full weapons using our new radar seriously after all these hours of practising. And let’s not forget the Kahlenbergs and their auto-signaller for those four second blasts every two minutes …

Continue reading Leg 20 – Camaret to L’Aber Wrac’h – 29 August 2013

Leg 19 – Sainte Marine to Camaret – 28 August 2013

Sunrise over Sainte Marine

The Brest peninsula is the gateway twixt Brittany’s west and north coasts around which the Atlantic rushes in its desperate attempt to reach the North Sea before time is called for it to turn around and dash back some six hours later …

Continue reading Leg 19 – Sainte Marine to Camaret – 28 August 2013

Rounding the Brest Peninsula

This pigeon rested on Play d'eau for ten hours

We are about to head for the Brest peninsula to take advantage of the neap tides. This will involve us travelling from La Roche Bernard via Port Louis (Lorient), Port La Foret, Camaret and L’Aber Wrac’h, in the next few days …

Continue reading Rounding the Brest Peninsula

Leg 4 – Camaret to Audierne – 20th June 2013

La Vieille lighthouse at the south end of the Raz de Seine

Well, the wind screamed through yacht rigging and it poured with rain during the night but by 6am it had exhausted itself and become a reducing F4 with misty drizzle. By the time we cast off at 1113 it was a mere NW’ly 2. Perfect Play d’eau weather …

Continue reading Leg 4 – Camaret to Audierne – 20th June 2013