Following my comment about the Hollamby Portable Radar unit in my post Camaret to L’Aber Wrac’h, I see Kim Hollamby has posted a comment about his invention.
I found the comment so exciting (I love technology) that I had to reproduce the comment as a post, here.
The Hollamby Portable Radar – PLIRA
(Reproduced with the kind permission of Kim Hollamby)The PLIRA had an advanced plasma screen click to enlargeAh yes, the portable radar.
You are of course referring to the (in)famous Motor Boats Monthly April Fool joke of (I think) 1988.
To put this in context you have to remember this was the time when the very first GPS handhelds were emerging. Like mobile phones of the same era they were large by modern standards but had everyone very excited about portable electronics. I had a Sony GPS that looked like it had a small satellite dish at the top and a Vodafone lead acid cell handbag mobile that fully developed the arm muscles.
Which was probably why we decided to ‘create’ the PLIRA radar – a handheld radar. What followed was a whole page of elaborate explanation about the technologies involved including (from rusty memory) a plasma display which was pretty forward thinking on our part.
Advanced screen technology
In reality it was one of the very early LCD televisions that we ‘connected’ to an inverted enamel dog bowl by means of a redundant curly phone cable. The word PLIRA was very professionally letrosetted around the dog bowl and the illusion was complete.
The PLIRA was mostly the invention of the magazine’s then Technical Editor Mik Chinery but with some finessing at the subbing stage by yours truly.
By the time the whole article was ready for press I was slightly alarmed at how convincing the thing was, despite its name PLIRA offering a clue.
So I printed my office number at the foot in case we had a load of readers randomly calling all and sundry to place an order.
Which was a major personal mistake of close on biblical proportions.
What I discovered, within hours of publication, is there is clearly nothing so dangerous as the damaged ego of a boat owner who has been thoroughly taken in. Of which there were quite a high number.
St Peter Port, Guernsey
The only pleasant conversation I recall was from the Deputy Harbourmaster at St Peter Port. He had gathered quite a crowd of boat owners at the dock head who were variously sceptical and taken in and wanted to know who was right. Perhaps they were even running a side bet or two. Anyhow when I imparted the news I could hear much jollity on the other end of the line so perhaps the good folk of Guernsey simply have a better sense of humour than mainlanders.
We really stayed well away from April Fools after that. Once bitten…
Given my Honda CR-V has a radar hidden under its radiator grill badge I’m sure a handheld radar would be possible now – except of course Elf ‘n Safety wouldn’t allow it.
Happy days.
PS – it’s all a bit of a shame in a way as we secretly hoped the PLIRA would climb in the charts to be seen as being as notorious as the polyestermite (a worm that attacks GRP) – a creation of Bill Beauvis that caused widespread genuine panic when it appeared in Motor Boat and Yachting a few years before.
Alain, the band’s Trumpeter emailed to say the group would like to perform on Play d’eau click to enlargeWith Port La Forêt having no space for us on our return from Port Louis in Lorient, we had to forgo a treat we’d been looking forward to so much, for two months.
You may have seen the post we made about the Cornouaille Jazz Band. It was an unexpected delight to see them perform when we visited Port La Forêt on the south-bound leg of our cruise down the west coast of France in June.
We’ll meet again
Following our visit I was contacted by trumpeter Alain who graciously emailed me saying how much the group had liked the photos I had taken and given them before we left. Alain continued the email exchange by saying that if we returned to Port La Forêt the band would like to come and perform for us on Play d’eau!
How brilliant would that be? What major fun! We’d find a way to fit them on. Some in the aft cockpit, some on the flybridge roof – we’d make it work.
We were so looking forward to this and were planning to stock up with Pastis, biere et Cidre Breton.
Jazz on Play d’eau
Jazz on Play d’eau was bound to turn into a major pontoon party as well. There would be riot of boaters from all over the marina converging on the pontoon to see and hear the group. Raises the question of how many boaters does it take to sink a pontoon?
But it was not to be. Port La Forêt was full.
Maybe, just maybe
Our exploration of the west coast of France has shown us just how glorious and special this part of France is. So much so that we are considering whether to change our 2014 plans from the Baltic to another exploration of France. So much more to see and do.
Would Port La Forêt would have room for us next year? We wonder, we dream.
Meanwhile, our thanks must go to Alain and the Cornouaille Jazz Band for their kindness and willingness.
Piers and Lin
From the Saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
Morning calm looking towards L’Aber Wrac’h’s estuary click to enlargeThree weeks ago when we left Rochefort, we had the distinct feeling we were starting our journey home; latitude was increasing and we were heading north – homeward bound.
The feeling became a reality yesterday on reaching L’Aber Wrac’h. Having turned the corner around the Brest peninsula we’d now track east along Brittany’s rock strew north coast.
‘The end is nigh,’ Piers said to Lin, dramatically. ‘Rubbish,’ was the immediate response. ‘It’s the start of the next stage of this whole adventure.’
Lin was right, of course.
There remain many delightful ports to visit along this coast and we can’t wait to see yacht Woolly Mammoth’s Graham and Frances in Jersey and together, have fun tormenting the local restaurants – again.
Pinch points
Threading our way through the reefs saved 30 minutes passage time click to enlargeWith no pinch points as such, we just wanted our easterly passage to Roscoff to be without hassle. If we could have the Atlantic swell behind us and a following tide and wind that didn’t interfere with us, that would be spot on.
The nav plan
Looking at the tide tables, if we left L’Aber Wrac’h at 0900 we’d catch the flood tide all the way to Roscoff.
The final stage of the route would require pilotage along the narrow Canal de Île de Batz separating Île de Batz from Roscoff, after which a turn to starboard would bring us to Roscoff’s new Bloscon marina.
The weather
Before departure, a SW’ly hushed at F2 whilst the sky above was half blue and half fractured cloud. To the east it was bright whilst to the west continuous dark cloud reigned supreme.The chart showing our route along the Canal de Ile de Batz click to enlargeThe cloud to the west signalled an approaching warm front, but the synoptic charts showed it wold slide SE taking its rain with it. We should run ahead and out pace it.
The journey
Another perfectly calm and flat sea awaited Captain Lin as she took Play d’eau off her pontoon and drove her out of the marina into the river, and headed for the sea. I was on warp and fender duty….
As ever, our planned route is always the safe route. Given it was calm and the tide was almost slack, we cut the corner by heading north through the rocks cutting off half an hour travel time.
There was nothing arduous on this passage. The tide and wind were with us, and the Atlantic swell gently caressed Play d’eau as we headed for the Canal de Île de Batz. A fleet of four small fishing boats here posed no threat – they simply made way for us.Large patches of weed were waiting to strangle our props and rudders click to enlargeThe only nuisance was the large amount of green weed at the entrance to the Canal. The issue with weed is that you never know what may be caught up in it. Netting? Rope? All designed to strangle your props and rudders and stop you dead in the water.
We carefully steered around the many clumps that blocked our way.
The Île de Batz looks simply delightful and has a number of small bays perfect for anchoring-out. One day.
Arriving
Turning to starboard to enter Roscoff’s approach channel, we slid by the docked Brittany Ferry busy disgorging its holiday makers onto French soil.
The Reeds Nautical Almanac helpfully, but somewhat unnecessarily, suggests small boats should keep clear of the ferries….
A few hundred metres on we entered the new Roscoff Bloscon marina and were met by a really helpful member of staff in his RIB. We were shown to the hammerhead of Ponton B.A Brittany Ferry in the commercial port next to the Roscoff Bloscon marina click to enlargeThe sun was out and it wasn’t raining. We’d beaten the warm front.
Another perfect cruise on another perfect day as we begin the next phase of our adventures.
The tecky details
Departed L’Aber Wrac’h – 0900
Arrived Roscoff – 1325
Time on passage – 4hr 25min
Total planned distance – 35.15nm
Tides: Neaps
Longest leg – 16.2nm from Aman Ar Ross NCM to Basse Plate NCM
We left Camaret in thick fog on weapons click to enlargeYes, 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.
One point to remember from yesterday’s passage was the port engine overheat. How would she (it? Non!) behave today? I had been into the engine room, talked kindly to her, stroked her and told her how much we valued and relied on her. In true HR style, I had no doubt she would behave itself.
The nav plan
Today’s pinch point would be the Chenal du Four as we made passage around the second part of the Brest peninsula. Needing to take this at slack tide meant being off Le Conquet at HW Brest +¼ or -5¾.Last time in L’Aber Wrac’H we drank biere. Now it’s Breton Cidre click to enlargeNot wanting to leave at silly’o’clock in the morning, we opted for the -5¾ point even though it meant we would be punching into a S’ly tide after Le Conquet. Mind you, it shouldn’t be too bad since it was neaps.
Our planned track from the Chenal would take us outside the coastal reefs, but if the seas were kind we could always cut corners and arrive significantly ahead of plan.
The weather
As we breakfasted, the gentlest of zephyrs was feeling its way around the marina, the fog creating an unreal silence, and over a coffee, we had a refresher of COLREG 19b. We felt prepared, nervous, yet excited.
The forecasts showed a maximum of a N’ly F2. With tides only a day away from neaps, the passage should be really smooth, even in the Chenal du Four.
Hollamby Portable Radar units
Whilst making a final check of the forecasts, three yachts with no radar and showing no lights left the marina. Not even one of those new Hollamby Portable Radar (HPR) units was in sight. Here, we’ll refrain from making further comment.
The journey
Easing off the pontoon we felt our way out of the marina and soon lost sight of land. Activating the Kahlenberg auto-signaller, I reminded Lin the horns were just about to fire.A beautiful sky and sunset displayed itself as we bade farewell to the west coast of Brittany click to enlargeThey did, and despite the warning, we both jumped. In fact, even though we knew they’d keep firing every two minutes, we couldn’t stop ourselves from jumping every time. But the glorious rich and loud sound they gave made every jump well worth it.
The radar was simply brilliant. Seagulls, whether swimming or flying, and pots, were all identifiable. Boats from small Merry Fishers to high speed Vedettes could all be tracked and it was so useful to see their relative, as well as true, vectors.
The Chenal was flat calm. Trusting our radar, chart plotter and its back up, we passed close to the Le Four lighthouse specifically to take some photos through the fog.
Targets in the fog
Interestingly, although there was little traffic on the water, we didn’t have to alter course for any boats, only pots. Boats seemed to change direction and move out of our way.The Le Four lighthouse hiding in the fog click to enlargeWe wondered if it had anything to do with the Kahlenbergs….
Arriving
With an hour and a half to run, the fog lifted revealing blue skies and perfect visibility. Taking as many short cuts as we could and arrived at L’Aber Wrac’h some 50 minutes ahead of plan.
Did the port engine behave herself? Admirably.
The tecky details
Departed Camaret – 0902
Arrived L’Aber Wrac’h – 1454
Time on passage – 5hr 19min
Total planned distance – 36.05nm
Tides: 1 day before Neaps
Longest leg – 7.4nm from Pointe de Grand Goven to Roche de La Dorade
Tech issues – nil
Incidents – nil
Navigational info: As in the previous leg, be at the Chenal du Four at neaps, slack tide, and a wind less than F3The Petit Pot de Beurre ECM in the estuary to L’Aber Wrac’h click to enlarge
Piers and Lin
From the Nav Table of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
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.
Pinch points
The peninsula has two pinch points through which it’s sensible, if not vital, to pass at just the right time to avoid meeting unpleasant seas – the Raz de Sein and Chenal du Four.
Get it right and both are as placid as can be. Get it wrong and there’s many a heart stirring video on You Tube to demonstrate just how nasty they can be.
The best plan is to take them during a period of neaps (least water volume flowing between high and low tide), slack tide (movement of the sea changing direction and is virtually stationary for a short time), and calm wind (so the sea isn’t whipped up).
The chart showing Play d’eau and the start of the route to Camaret click to enlarge
The Raz de Sein (pronounced Ra de Senn) would be the pinch point in today’s planning.
The nav plan
It was only two days before neaps which ticked one box. Slack tide in the Raz would be at 0946 or 1601 and since it would take some seven hours to reach the Raz, we chose 1601. That ticked the second box.
Aided by the Admiralty Tidal Steam Atlas for the west coast of France (NP265), we worked backwards arriving at a departure time from Sainte Marine of 0902.
The weather
Sainte Marine was calm with clear skies and good visibility. The forecast wind for the Raz de Sein was N’ly F3 thereby ticking the third and last box.
We followed two small fishing boats as we left the estuary and motored into the bay click to enlarge
‘Perfick,’ as Pop Larkin would say in the Darling Buds of May.
The journey
It started as one of those rare sunny days. Nil wind had encouraged the sea to look like silken glass. Not a ripple nor even a ‘riplet’, and with a distant haze it was hard to distinguish the horizon between sea and sky. Surreal.
We left the marina following some small fishing boats out of the estuary and into the bay.
After hours of glorious cruising the journey through the Raz presented Play d’eau with only a slight chop created from a N’ly F3 blowing over the slack tide.
However, as soon as we through, the wind obviously wanted to annoy us and increased to F5 and joined forces with the Atlantic swell on our port beam to create an uncomfy but not horrid, corkscrewing motion for the next hour. Hmmm.
A silken flat calm sea with the horizon barely distinguishable click to enlarge
Engine overheat
As if to compound this movement, soon after we rounded the Raz de Sein, the port engine water temperature rose from its normal 160F to 210F.
Leaving the engine idling in neutral, Lin took control as I disappeared into the engine room armed with our ‘point and shoot’ thermometer to compare the main cooling elements of both engines. I could find no significant difference. The most likely cause was a faulty instrument, yet that might prove to be too easy an answer.
Playing it safe, we shut the engine down, only starting it as we entered Camaret to aid manoeuvring. It showed no signs of overheating.
Arriving
As we turned east around Pointe du Toulinguet on the final leg to Camaret, the sea quietened to its original flat calm and we arrived in Camaret in hot sunshine.Entering the Raz de Sein keeping both La Plate (left) and La Vieille to starboard click to enlargeA hour later, Brian of yacht Morning Spirit, with whom we’d previously had such a great evening in Pornic, pulled into Camaret as well.
The tecky details
Departed Sainte Marine – 0902
Arrived Camaret – 1746
Time on passage – 8hr 44min
Total planned distance – 57.4nm
Tides: 2 days before Neaps
Longest leg – 22.4nm from Cap Caval WCM to Pointe La Plate WCM
Tech issues – port engine cooling overheat, cause unknown.
Navigational info: Take the Raz de Sein at neaps, slack water and a wind below F3.
Piers and Lin
From the Nav Table of Play d’eau
Fleming 55The coast guard’s HQ on the Pointe-de-Toulinguet click to enlargeQuestion: Which Boulangerie will win the great Croissant Competition this cruise? Watch this space….
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
Play d’eau catches the early morning sun at Port Louis click to enlargeThis 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 enlargeThe 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 enlargeMartin 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
Our ‘inaccessible by land’ river pontoon at La Roche Bernard. The only other habited boat moored alongside us click to enlargeWe’d had a brilliant six days at La Roche Bernard, not the least because we met Chris and Sue of Yacht Aquitaine again, whom we’d first met in Vannes.
The forecast was good but reality was to prove very different for our journey to Lorient.
En route to Arzal lock
0530 and the alarm woke us from a deep sleep. As I struggled to prise my eyes open I was thinking of good reasons not to go, but a strong cup of coffee from Lin soon put paid to the ideas.
Stepping out of the saloon to sniff the weather, total cloud cover drew blinds on any light from the night sky; so different from the previous night when clear sky allowed a huge full moon and countless stars to light the valley as clear as daylight. A NW F2 breeze ruffled wavelets in the river. The air felt damp. Silence was being broken as terns woke and began chirruping the first calls of the morning.Before dawn broke, the FLIR thermal image showed three yachts on mooring buoys and the Roche of La Roche Bernard behind them click to enlargeThe plan was to leave La Roche Bernard at 0700, head downstream to Arzal and take their first lock of the day at 0800.
Our 200m river pontoon was home to only one other inhabited boat which had chosen to be immediately next door to us. Wanting to be quiet we waited until 0640 to crane the dinghy onto the saloon roof. In the remnants of the night’s cloak the crane’s motor screamed as it lifted ‘T/T Play d’eau’ at which point the yacht’s two man crew popped out of the cabin, thanked us for the alarm call and made ready to cast off for the same lock as ourselves.
The nav plan
Today there were no pinch points to worry about and the plan was straight forward. As long as the weather played its part, or more accurately, as long as the forecasters were on our side, there’d be no problems at all.
The weather
The forecasts and synoptic charts showed the wind being N/NW F4 becoming N/NE F4/5 as the fronts passed.
This would be perfect and coincide with our plan to traverse the Teignouse channel through the reef at the base of the Quiberon peninsula, separating the Baie de Quiberon from the Atlantic Ocean.At the Arzal sluice barrier the Cormorants were waiting for breakfast click to enlargeGiven we’d be on a 1kt falling tide (helping us along), the NE’ly meant the wind wouldn’t be against us. If it had been it would have created a classic wind against tide scenario, building waves and swell, made worse as the sea funnelled through the channel over the reef.
The journey
As dawn’s light began to penetrate the clouds, we cast off, bid La Roche Bernard farewell and meandered gently downriver to Arzal’s Lock where we waited only ten minutes before it opened and allowed us to enter.
About an hour after leaving the lock and wending our way to the sea, it seemed the wind was probably a notch stronger than forecast but nothing worth being concerned about in the least.
Three and a half hours later as we neared the Quiberon peninsula, Lin and I had been urging the wind to be as forecast but it stubbornly refused to budge. As if to dig its heels in and show just how belligerent it could be, it backed to W’ly and increased to top end F5 and edged into F6.Waiting for the lock gates to open to let us out to the tidal part of La Vilaine river click to enlargeThis created a 1½ mile stretch of somewhat challengingly large and steep waves over the reef giving Lin and I the dubious pleasure of one moment seeing the sky, the next the ocean floor, then the sky again and the ocean floor again, as Play d’eau rode the bronco for the next fifteen minutes.
Once through the reef and heading NW to Lorient, the sea calmed to a gentle Atlantic swell and we could breathe again.
A blessing
Nearing Lorient and some three miles east of Île de Groix, we espied a flock of cormorants swimming on the water, which, on closer inspection was a small school of dolphins, playing and jumping! How brilliant was that?
Our unpleasant memories of the Teignouse channel roller-coaster just evaporated.
Arriving
Halfway to Lorient, the sea behind us was agitated and the remnants of a front hung over a lone yacht click to enlarge
The entrance to Lorient is a really narrow 135m wide from zero contour to zero contour. Since it was absolute low tide it was even less. Traffic was reasonably dense in both directions with many yachts and small fishing craft. To keep ‘in the flow’ Play d’eau was at idle and 5 knots. Sensibly, sail boats were pulling their sails down before entering the channel and running in under power.
There had to be one…
But there had to one, didn’t there, who insisted on entering the channel under sail alone. Not a problem in itself, but a potential problem. He’d been overtaking other boats and was now some 75m on my port side. All was well until the high walls of the ramparts to our starboard took his wind whereupon he immediately turned straight for me.
Nearing the Lorient entrance we kept to starboard ready to take the next channel to Port Louis I pulled all power off hoping he’d pass in front. Turning to starboard wasn’t an option; I was already as far to starboard as possible ready to turn into the next channel for Port Louis marina. click to enlargeTurning to port would have hit him. Engaging reverse power would have taken far too long to effect Play d’eau’s 35 tonnes of inertia, as would increasing forward power to accelerate. Even with fresh wind in his sails he kept on coming straight for me. Coming into ear shot he shouted ‘Give way! Sail!’.
What could I do? Evaporate? Almost hitting us and just before going about, he shouted, ‘You should plan and anticipate. We have sail.’
I felt like bellowing ‘9b’ (sail doesn’t have right of way in a narrow channel where a craft is restricted in its ability to manoeuvre) but was so stunned at his arrogance, I didn’t. It should have been he who planned and anticipated, not me. Where’s the Gattling gun when you most need it?
However, in complete contrast, a delightful and welcoming girl from the Capitainerie came out in a dory to greet us and shepherd us to our berth. Just as earlier with the dolphins, it’s so good that a blessing can ameliorate a growl-inducing event.
Peace descended, and we forgave the forecasters.Port Louis the next morning. Peace reigned as dawn broke click to enlarge
The tecky details
Departed La Roche Bernard – 0710
Arrived Arzal lock – 0754
Departed Arzal lock – 0824
Arrived Port Louis – 1534
Time on passage – 8hr 24min
Total planned distance – 55.3nm
Longest leg – 17.8nm from Basse des Mats to NE Teignouse SHM
Tides – almost midway from Springs to Neaps
Tech issues – nil
Incidents – ‘There had to be one…’
Piers and Lin
From the Nav Table of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
This pigeon rested on Play d’eau for ten hours gathering its strength before flying off click to enlargeHi Everyone.
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.
Of course, if the weather and sea state prevent this happening, we’ll have plenty of time to update the site.
Hence, if there are no posts please forgive us. There’re many sea miles to cover with little time off, leaving even less time for the fun of updating the website.
However, as soon as we can, we will resume normal service.
Piers and Lin
From the Saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
When this year began we had no idea some of the ‘firsts’ that would happen.Lin and our four boys. They won’t tell us the joke they’re sharing…. click to enlargeIn October 2012 we spent a week in Guernsey making sure we knew the practical details surrounding our move to the island in March 2013 where we’d live on Play d’eau in the privately owned Beaucette Marina.
The first first – Furniture
We could store all our furniture in Guernsey but would it fit when we bought a house? Instead, the decision was made (not easy) to keep only those pieces that were family ‘heirlooms’ or had ‘special reasons’. The rest could either be sold or given to our sons. Their choices and requests were mostly able to be met and thankfully there was no falling out over who had what!
So, Jan 22 2013 saw most of our furniture being collected to be sold at auction. The rest was to go to long term store in Guernsey.
We slept on our mattress on the floor; we started married life that way but on a different mattress, I hasten to add! It was not as easy to get off the floor to get out of bed, age was creeping up on us. Our garden tables and chairs were used indoors and one sofa was kept for comfortable sitting.
We culled our bits and pieces into what we needed and could use on the boat now, what we would use later, and gave the rest to charity shops or sold. We became ebay masters! The remainder would go into short term storage in Guernsey where we could access them, if necessary.
I found I had squirrelled away loads of toiletries when they had been on special offer – they will keep us going until at least next year!
Second first – Houseless
We had been renting a house in Chetnole, near Yeovil, since selling Orchard Gate in Nov 2011. Now we had to vacate and clean the rental property so moved into a holiday let at the other end of the village for a week. We left this on 9 March 2013.
Third first – the Fox
I took the first car (our little Fox) to Guernsey at the beginning of March 2013, taking the fast ferry from Poole and back later that day for Piers to collect me.
Fourth first – Snow
We ‘first’ departed the UK on 9 March 2013. Piers had to go to USA so he flew back the next day leaving me to hold the fort. The following day saw the island assailed by a blizzard. The wind was gale force north-east and the snow was horizontal. It was exciting yet daunting. Guernsey had not had such bad weather for over 50 years and the airport was closed for 2½ days.
Fifth first – Cessation
We are no longer employed. Piers had started Onaphone in 1979 making his first sale the next year. Later, the company name changed to du Pré plc. It was really strange being cessated by our own company! Our last day of employment was 21 March 2013.
Sixth first – Guernsey
It was 22 March 2013 and finally we arrived in Guernsey to live on the boat. The longest time we had holidayed on her in one stretch was 10 weeks in 2010. Now to live on her with our belongings and in the winter as well! Guernsey self-store has been brilliant for those things of which we have no immediate need.
Seventh first – A Fiancée
Toby, our youngest son, proposed to and was accepted by his girlfriend Amy. He did ask Mark, Amy’s dad, for permission, beforehand. They will marry in South Africa next April.
Eighth first – Piers was officially old
Piers was 65! We had a huge gathering of all the family in May – the weather was very good to us and brilliant memories will be cherished.
Ninth first – Exploration
We have been away exploring since June 18 and ventured further south than ever before. We reached Rochefort which is up the river Charente (south of La Rochelle) and a lovely place to visit. From there, we’ve started the return back north, visiting places we missed on the way down.
Tenth first – Another Fiancée
Adam, our third son, proposed to, and was accepted by Perdita. Wow, two future daughters-in-law in 4 months. So exciting for us all. How come this all happens when we are not in the UK?
We still have another 4 months of this year. How many more ‘firsts’ are there waiting for us?
Lin
From the Saloon of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
The falling spring tide would bring today’s special challenges. The gorgeous 23m yacht Copihue left Pornic half an hour before us click to enlarge
La Vilaine River
La Roche Bernard is some 10nm up the beautiful La Vilaine river. Just beyond midway is the Arzal lock and the 1400 écluse would be perfect – if the planning allowed it.
The nav plan
The first challenge was the time to leave Pornic before the spring tide had fallen to a level where the silted marina approach channel would be too shallow for our safe exit to the Baie de Bourgneuf.
The second was the mouth of La Vilaine which has sand bar 2nm long at its ‘embouchure’ reducing depth only 0.5m above chart datum.
Planning showed that if we left Pornic as the latest safe time and kept our speed to 7kts (using one engine only to save servicing time) we’d arrive at the mouth to La Vilaine as the tide was on the rise giving us an extra 1.5m above chart datum. Adding that to the chart’s 0.5m would give 2m. Since Play d’eau’s draft is 1.52m, she’d have 48cms under her keel.We motored through a shoal (a wobble?) of these huge 2′ diameter jelly fish click to enlargeWell, that was the theory which we knew would be subject to many factors such as additional silting, atmospheric pressure, wind effect and so on, but we could test this as we approached the mouth by monitoring chart soundings against the depth sounder. Dead slow at this point just in case.
The weather
A NE F3, clear skies and excellent visibility greeted us when we woke at 0630. Even if the wind had been much stronger it wouldn’t have mattered since the land would be there to protect us.
Preparation included Lin going to the Capitainerie to use their wi-fi (wee-fee) to download emails only to find the Capitainerie wasn’t open but the laundry was. Perching the laptop on the washing machine – ‘le wee-fee marshed’ as they say in French.
The journey
Lin took Play d’eau off her berth at our ETD of 0754 and manoeuvred her towards the entrance. A sharp turn to starboard took us into the approach channel, the depth was just right, and we were into the Baie de Bourgneuf.Approaching Arzal lock, about half way from the sea to La Roche Bernard click to enlargeTravelling close to the Jade Coast our journey took us past the Pointe de St Caldas and into the Grande Rade de La Loire.
Crossing the approach channel to St Nazaire Lin was reminded of her Dad’s involvement on the raid on the lock gates of the Normandie dry dock in WW2. He was on the hunter destroyer, HMS Atherstone, and his account of the Atherstone’s involvement differs significantly from that in the text books….he lived to tell the tale and have five children, one of which, of course, was Lin.
From Point du Croisic with its shoal of jelly fish (or is it a ‘wobble’?) to Piriac-sur-Mer, we passed the small bird sanctuary and mussel farms of Île Dumet to port before heading for the mouth of La Vilaine.
The whole journey was so, so pretty.
’Bonjour La Vilaine’
At her shallowest point, La Vilaine’s sand bar gave us 1m clearance below Play d’eau’s keel. We thanked her.We entered the Arzal lock stopping before the lifting bridge took our mast off! click to enlargeLa Vilaine is a beautiful river. Leaving the mussel farms behind and the dark green tree lined banks ahead, we wove our way towards the lock at Arzal.
Arzal Lock
The timing worked. The lock was open as we approached and the lights were green. We entered, stopping before the road bridge which spanned the lock. We looped the hanging chains with our warps and a few minutes later we began the 2m rise.
Given Play d’eau’s air draft, the lifting bridge was raised and we exited.
Arriving
The next 4nm to La Roche Bernard reminded us of the beauty of La Sein when we cruised to Paris in Play d’eau in 2004. For sake of repeating ourselves, the river’s beauty has to be seen to be believed. The lifting bridge had to be raised before we were able to exit the lock click to enlargeGiven our length we had to moor on the visitor’s pontoon which itself is moored in the river. Access to the shore is by a small dory and pulling a rope on a pulley system. The 200m journey takes for ever, is hugely exhausting but the macho in a chap prevents fatigue from showing.
The tecky details
Departed Pornic – 0754
Arrived Arzal lock – 1355
Departed Arzal lock – 1415
Arrived La Roche Bernard – 1448
Time on passage – 6hr 54min
Total planned distance – 45.8nm
Tides: Spring
Longest leg – 11.9nm from SE Lambarde SCM to Pointe du Croisic
Tech issues – nil
Incidents – nil
Navigational info: La Vilaine carries considerable amounts of silt, mainly mud. The marker buoys are moved often to reflect this, and the chart bears no relation to reality.
Piers and Lin
From the Nav Table of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.La Vilaine river between Arzal and La Roche Bernard click to enlarge
La Vilaine river between Arzal and La Roche Bernard click to enlargeLa Vilaine river between Arzal and La Roche Bernard click to enlargeVedettes ply La Vilaine click to enlargeThere are some lovely houses on La Vilaine click to enlargeThe dory links the pontoon with the shore. You pull on the rope and pull yourself along – exhausting! click to enlarge
These were the voyages of Piers and Lin du Pré aboard their Fleming 55
