Category Archives: Cruising

Cruising posts will detail each passage we make, including the nav planning, weather conditions and anything of influence and interest en route

Cruising

Where did the last two and a half years go?

Leave a comment

Oh my! Even with COVID bursting over all of us with its indiscriminate attacks, it feels as though Lin and I haven’t stopped for a moment. So what’s been going on?

We bought a house!

La Porte with its adjacent barn
click to enlarge
Someone we knew asked if we’d like to see his house which was up for sale. The agent took us to see the centuries old granite farm house. Yes, it was lovely but not ‘us’. Listening to our comments, the agent suggested another, even though we’d made it clear we weren’t looking. We agreed.

The next morning, we drove into the driveway and to say we were taken aback would be an understatement. We walked the grounds and even before we were shown into the house, we knew it was ours. Within a month, we owned La Porte, an 1890, five bedroom Victorian house with its separate barn.

Our children said, ‘But Dad, at your age you need to downsize.’ Thank you so much for that comment I thought, whilst responding, ‘We have. We’ve downsized from six to five bedrooms, and 2 acres to one and a half…’

Having sold all our furniture when we left the UK and lived on our boat for 6 years, we had to start from scratch which we did with great excitement, as well as organising some building works and tending the gardens. Hey ho!

What of Play d’eau?

Play d’eau at anchor in Shell Bay, Herm
click to enlarge
Thankfully, COVID barely scraped an effect in Guernsey. With the island’s drawbridge firmly up and the portcullis heavily down, the island isolated itself. With no boating allowed our annual cruising plans were out but on the other hand we had now had time to work on both La Porte and Play d’eau. Win, win, although we sorely missed the cruising.

For Play d’eau, we set about a mini refit:

  • A new battery voltage panel was created, detailing the state of each battery and battery bank
  • A main engine alternator paralleling system was installed to double the battery charging capability
  • New flybridge covers were made for the helm seat, console, hatchway and dinghy
  • New mesh covers were fitted for the pilot house windscreens and side doors
  • A Plastimo Transocean liferaft with hydrostatic release replaced the old Zodiac
  • The 220v LEDs on the DC and AC Services panels were replaced with 240v – all 89 of them
  • The main engine sea-cocks were replaced with far superior bronze Groco
  • Two additional cleats were installed by the aft fair leads
  • The two lifebelts and lights were replaced and sign written
  • New matching carpets were added for the guest cabins
  • The shafts were pulled and all four cutlass bearings replaced
  • GFO (Gortex) was used to re-pack the stern glands
  • The davit (crane) was removed to be re-powder coated and have new stainless gas springs fitted
  • We had the trim tabs reinforced
  • A Doppler transducer for speed and depth was added
  • The cap rails re-sealed
  • The external fresh and sea-water taps were refurbished
  • Pressure gauges were fitted to the main engine Racor filters
  • New plexi-glass was fitted to the main cabin hatches
  • We bought a superior Dock-side Dockpure filter system for filling the fresh water supply

…plus many more small changes made to bring her to a full and sparkling spec, ready for cruising the gorgeous west coast of France in 2022.

What of La Porte?

With furniture bought, paintings hung and most of our long and short term storage units empty, work started on many refurbishment and building projects likely to take us to the end of 2022.

As Lin says, ‘Piers likes a project’, to which I reply, ‘Only one?’

Meanwhile

We can’t wait to see the children, grandchildren, and our sisters in the UK. Let’s see what happens.

Cruising

Return to Carentan

5 Comments

Carentan marina
click to enlarge
After 21 years we’re back in Carentan on the Normandy coast. I was first here with the MBM Cruise in Company fleet in the mid-1970s (can anyone remember those days?) and then with the family in 1997.

But seeing the mile long yet narrow marina now, I just wonder if it’s become a forgotten destination?

Fat, rolly, polly seals

The 8 mile approach from the fairway buoy through the estuary and along the river is just gorgeous. Hundreds of fat seals basking on the beach and flock after flock of birds flying up from the wetlands. Approaching the end of the river you see the lock which opens HW-2 to HW+3.

And here’s the ‘but’. After 21 years the marina doesn’t seem to have changed. Same old bouncy pontoons mostly covered in gull and duck pooh, same old 5A power supply in lichen blackened boxes, looking dowdy and unkept.

Yes, there’s a new-ish Capitainerie and shower block (water is somewhat tepid) and a Brasserie but it’s shut for the summer hols. A number of boats seem to have been left to die, covered in green and unloved.

So many unloved and dying boats
click to enlarge

Far from the madding crowd

What is so, so lovely, is the peace and tranquility. Just perfect for being and unwinding. Apart from Play d’eau, there are no visiting boats and no-one working on their boats. It’s as though it’s a ghost marina.

Walking into the small town with its large 12c church. Again, it’s so quiet. So few people around. Some modern buildings have been shouldered in amongst the old, architecturally more beautiful buildings, many of them shut down and up for sale. From what we’ve seen, there are hairdressers, opticians, pharmacies, clothing shops, but only one small supermarket, two boulangeries (the third is up for sale), one butcher and one ironmonger.

On the other hand, there’s a new indoor swimming pool complex and a separate small sports centre, but neither seem really used – good use of EU money?

Duck a l’orange?

As I’ve said, what we love about the marina is the peace. It’s so, so quiet. No visitors. Only dozens of really vociferous ducks. What if we fed them with oranges? Would they be marinaded ready for the pot?

So quiet and tranquil
click to enlarge

Having met our Carentan goal we’re undecided on ‘where next?’

Maybe we’ll head back around the Cherbourg peninsula to the north coast of Brittany which we love.

Piers and Lin
from the Saloon of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Cruising

Leg 20 (2015) – Roscoff to Beaucette

2 Comments

Captain Lin drove Play d’eau out of the marina and onto Beaucette
click to enlarge
Drat!

Given a recurring gearbox problem and deteriorating weather forecasts, we made the decision to forgo our two week ‘jolly’ along the north Brittany coast and return straight to Beaucette.

After a bright, sunny day-off with a lovely walk into Roscoff to the supermarché for essentials of cider and local onions, we made ready to leave.

Clear skies with a light W’ly zephyr and little forecast swell encouraged us to set sail (set motors?) on the last leg of our holiday.

The planning

It was a neap tide and given the time of high water at Beaucette, our planning showed we should leave at 0730.

The route would take us across the bay to squeeze between the mainland and Les Sept Îles before the 47nm leg direct to St Martin’s Point on the SE of Guernsey before heading north to Beaucette.

En route

A Mach 2 fly-past
click to enlarge
The passage was really lovely; enjoyable, peaceful and uneventful. A joy.

Mind you, the first two hours were spent dodging concentrations of lobster pots and their trailing markers seemingly laid out specifically to trap Play d’eau.

These traps were augmented by clutches of keen fishermen bobbing around in their small Merry Fisher boats, appearing to block our homeward path.

Highlight

Suddenly, Lin shouted, ‘Look, quick, dolphins, port side.’

For ten minutes, a large pod of dolphin played and competed like Russian dancers in Play d’eau’s wakes as if they were performing a last farewell spectacular especially for us. We could almost hear them saying, ‘Look what we can do!’ before rushing off to jump and splosh on another wave.

It was a heart stopping, captivating moment of wonderment. We’ve tried but can’t find words sufficient to describe ‘rapturous’ so we’ll let the photos paint the story instead.

Arriving back in Beaucette was lovely. With greetings and hugs, we were made to feel so welcome again.

Au revoir, la belle France. À la prochaine.
click to enlarge
A perfect way to end a great holiday.

Met data

Roscoff: W1, clear, good.
Forecast sea state: Swell insignificant.
Beaucette: W2, clear, good.

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 9 August 2015
Departed Roscoff: 0731
Arrived Beaucette: 1645
Pinchpoint: Entry over the sill into Beaucette
Longest leg: 47.3nm
Time en route: 9hr 44min
Planned distance: 78nm

Tech issues: None.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

(click on the photos below to enlarge, and use the left/right arrows)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

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

3 Comments

Another spectacular sunrise light show
click to enlarge
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.

Although tired, we felt back on form.

Go or no go?

With the morning’s forecast and actuals to hand, we plotted our next move over an early morning coffee (tea for Lin).

All looked good apart from a tight frontal system swirling around the peninsula, yet being so tight it was unlikely to present strong winds apart from isolated downdraughts and showers, maybe heavy, from any lurking cumulus cloud.

We made the decision to go.

Black skies

Against the black clouds, the sunlight was breathtaking
click to enlarge
As dawn approached, the sky to the east was clear apart from a narrow roll of cloud just above the distant horizon. In comparison, the fronts had covered the sky to the west with thick, black ominous cloud.

As the sun rose she found a small letterbox gap between the land and the cloud through which she beamed, creating rainbows and a glorious show of bright light.

With an ETD of 0900, we prepared for departure and cast off after a breakfast of French Bread (eggy bread fried in bacon fat – yummy) and coffee (tea for Lin).

Thankfully, yesterday’s swell had completely disappeared. Had it been scared off by Play d’eau’s wrath? The land protected us from an easterly force 3 wind and the transit through the Chenal du Four was yet again, placid.

L’Aber Wrac’h or…?

Nearing the turn towards l’Aber Wrac’h we wondered if we should continue straight to Roscoff. The seas were comfortable, the wind had dropped to a light southerly force 2 and the sun had chased the cloud away. What could be better?

We did.

Nearing Roscoff

Yacht Meander en route to Ushant as we passed l’Aber Wrac’h
click to enlarge
Nearing Roscoff, the narrow channel between the Île de Batz and the mainland can look narrow and daunting with short changes of heading to avoid the many rocky outcrops. But provided you have understood the transits it’s really straight forward and good fun.

The many ferries and trawlers which use this channel are helpful and help by making way.

Calling Bloscon marina on channel 09, we were met at the entrance and guided to the hammerhead of pontoon A.

Success!

Met data

Camaret: E3, thick cloudy, good.
Forecast sea state: Calm.
Roscoff: S1, clear, good

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 7 August 2015
Departed Camaret: 0903
Arrived Roscoff: 1725
Pinchpoint: Chenal du Four
Longest leg: 16.2nm
Time en route: 8hr 20min
Planned distance: 61.8nm

Tech issues: None.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

(click on the photos below to enlarge, and use the left/right arrows)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

Leg 18 (2015) – Sainte Marine to Camaret

5 Comments

The day we left, the dawn sun was glowing through the milky cloud
click to enlarge
Please excuse the lack of photos in this posting – read on and you’ll see why.

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

Leaving Sainte Marine under a grey and cloudy sky, we headed south with a calm wind onto a flat sea, amongst many yachts. Soon we were heading into a slow, smooth swell which I have to say was rather enjoyable, even soothing.

‘The remnant of yesterday’s swell,’ I said knowingly to Lin.

Before I continue with the story, please excuse the lack of photos. The seas made it almost impossible to take any.

Penmarc’h Peninsula

Turning west to start the long passage around the Penmarc’h Peninsula we were joined by two 14m Dutch yachts out of Port Loctudy, forming a 7½kts cruise in company.

As the swell slowly increased, Lin retired to the saloon to take a Kwell and lie down. Having been in worse conditions around Start Point and Le Cap de la Hague, I was happy to continue. The positive was that the wind remained calm.

At least we had two yachts keeping Play d’eau company for encouragement.

When to abort?

As we were leaving, Yacht Popoff came in. Great name…
click to enlarge
After an hour our companion yachts were half disappearing in the troughs and I was at the point of making the decision to abort and return to Sainte Marine. The swell was now a fairly steep 4 metres.

The issue, though, was how to turn around? Crest to crest was far less than my turning circle and I certainly didn’t want to present Play d’eau broadside to this swell during a turn.

I tussled in my mind. Can it really get much worse? The wind was still calm and the yachts were still with us.

Turning NW

Reaching the westerly point of the Peninsula, the swell was at its worst. By now the yachts and their masts were disappearing in the troughs leaving only their VHF antennas visible. Quite a sight to behold. But I’d be telling an untruth if I said I was enjoying it.

Heading north west for the Raz de Sein, the first encouraging sign was the cloud clearing and the sun coming out. The second encouraging sign was the wind staying calm. The third encouraging sign was that the swell slowly, very slowly, starting to subside.

It took two hours before the swell had settled back to its initial gentle, acceptable rhythm and with no wind, the sea was quite glassy yet at times it looked as though it would shiver and come out in goose bumps. A strange sight.

Play d’eau motored out of Sainte Marine amongst a procession of departing yachts
click to enlarge
Later, Lin told me that when she’d woken, she’d looked out of the saloon windows, seen the sea towering above her at which point she decided denial was the best reality, closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

We mused whether a Kwell thrown into the sea would help have settled it. Maybe not.

Raz de Sein

The plan had been to enter the Raz at slack. Annoyingly, the tide turned some 30 minutes before the Admiralty tide tables and pilot books stated. More lumpy seas? Pah! Used to them now.

Ten yachts and Play d’eau converged on the Raz, yet I have to say that the transit itself was a bit of a non-event.

(Note to self: Remember the 30 minute tidal error error for next time)

Last leg

It took two hours to cross the Baie de Morgat before we arrived in Camaret where we took the last parking slot. We were both somewhat weary.

Two trip highlights

During the last four hours, four separate pods of dolphins came to play with Play d’eau. A wonder to behold and a thankful distraction.

A sunfish with its fin flopping side to side in the air, passed just a few feet away from us. It rolled slightly on its side so we could see eye to eye almost as though it wanted to say something.

Dinner out

The final highlight was dinner. Being so tired, we walked to the nearby Restaurant of the small Hotel Vauban where we ordered large pressions whilst looking at the short menu. Piers chose Melon Soup followed by Mackerel whilst Lin chose baked camembert with honey followed by moules.

Every moment spent waiting to be served was worth it. Each of the dishes was inspired, unexpected and obviously cooked fresh. This chef loves cooking!

A great way to end an ‘interesting’ day’s cruising.

Met data

Sainte Marine: Calm, cloudy, good.
Forecast sea state: Calm, with a slight swell.
Reality: An horendous swell.
Camaret: Calm, clear, good

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 6 August 2015
Departed Sainte Marina: 1005
Arrived Camaret: 1720
Pinchpoint: Raz de Sein
Longest leg: 22.3nm
Time en route: 7hr 15min
Planned distance: 57.1nm

Tech issues: None.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Cruising

Leg 17 (2015) – Lorient to Sainte Marine

5 Comments

An aerial pic showing the entrance to Lorient is guarded by the Citadel
click to enlarge
The forecast knew it, we knew it, and it was – lumpy.

But well worth it to reach Sainte Marine from which we can judge the attack on the Finistère Peninsula. Camaret, L’Aber Wrac’h and Roscoff, here we come.

Time off

We’ve always liked Port Louis. It’s a small, ancient town built to defend the entrance to Lorient’s inland sea. The marina is really well protected and has had a complete make-over during the last few years.

More of this when I publish a separate report on Port Louis marina.

Our neighbour was a lovely 1976 Nicolson 39 ketch, a twin masted, beautifully built yacht, called Galloper. We had a great evening with its owners, Dave and Lorna, before we each went our own way to eat out, only to find we were booked into the same Crèperie!

Au revoir Port Louis

The forecast was a SE4 with a southerly 1½m swell thrown up by a depression swirling around in the Atlantic. Well, the wind would be behind us and the swell shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

With Piers on warps, Lin took Play ‘deau off her berth soon after sunrise. Exiting the narrow entrance Play d’eau came face to face with two commercial ships, one large trawler, a high speed Pilot boat, a yacht and a tug. Pah! Nothing to Skipper Lin.

En route

We had a great evening with Dave and Lorna of yacht Galloper
click to enlarge
The forecast was spot on although the swell was more from the SW than the S, and at times was parallel to us, making the stabilisers work overtime although the ride wasn’t the comfiest we’d ever had.

The wind stayed pretty constant, hovering between a SE4 and SE5. The swell was as forecast with the added attraction (is that the right word?) of some wave slop on top.

Coast Guard

‘Play d’eau, Play d’eau, ici Cross Étel, à vous.’

Was that for us or was there another Play d’eau around? I waited, ready to growl if ‘another Play d’eau’ dared respond. None did. ‘Cross Étel,’ I answered trying to sound authoritative. ‘Ici Play d’eau.’

A stream of French followed. The only part I understood was, ‘…à vous.’ ‘Pardon,’ I said, ‘Je suis Anglais. Je ne comprend pas.’ ‘Play d’eau, this is Cross Étel. Mr Duhait wants you to know he will greet you in Sainte Marine this afternoon.’

That’s the second time Alain’s managed to persuade the Coast Guard to call me! How does he do it? Maybe it’s a member of his Jazz Band?

Sainte Marine

Casting off at 0700, we exited the marina and passed the Lorient waterbus as the sun was rising
click to enlarge
Entering the channel into the River Odet, Sainte Marine is on the east side with Benodet on the west.

The tide was in a full 4kt ebb creating significant standing waves in the narrow ½nm long channel. Dodging between tacking yachts, capsized windsurfers, small capsized catamarans, large catamarans seemingly taking up the rest of the channel, the lifeboat (no-one wearing lifejackets) that squeezed between us and small yacht, not to mention the exposed rocks in the middle of the channel, Play d’eau motored sedately, elegantly and gloriously between them all to be met by the Harbour Master and escorted to her berth.

When next?

When is the question, not where. We will either make for Camaret tomorrow (Thursday) or the next day, depending on how muich the swell dies down and the wind become favourable for the passage through the Ra de Sein.

Watch this space….

Met data

Trawlers take no prisoners – speed and wake come second to selling their catch
click to enlarge
Lorient: SE4, clear, good.
Sea state: 1½m south westerly swell, at times SE5
Sainte Marine: SE4, cloudy, good

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 5 August 2015
Departed Lorient: 0700
Arrived Sainte Marine: 1155
Pinchpoint: The tidal flow when entering Sainte Marine
Longest leg: 17nm
Time en route: 4hr 55min
Planned distance: 61.6nm

Tech issues: None.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

(click on the photos below to enlarge, and use the left/right arrows)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

Leg 16 (2015) – Pornichet to Lorient Port Louis

3 Comments

The July 2015 blue moon taken at 0530
click to enlarge
Having had a dinner of Lin’s luscious mince (heavy on the onions, mushrooms and thick, shiny gravy) accompanied with sweet corn and peas and followed by cantaloupe melon with a touch of framboise liqueur and lime juice, we fell into bed soon after 8pm.

I was up at 0500.

Northwards Ho!

The forecast had come good. A final weather check showed that if we transited the west side of the Quiberon Peninsula at noon, the wind would be at slack. What could be better, given the westerly swell there can heap over the shallows.

That meant an ETD of 0800.

Goodbye Pornichet

Spot on 0800, with a coffee in my hand to look ultra-cool to onlookers, we slipped warps and motored out of the marina’s S-bend entrance, built to protect westerly swells from entering and disturbing the peace.

Heading west, the brisk easterly 15kt wind was directly behind us. Given we were on a falling tide, the ride was flat and stable. Lovely for a crisp morning departure.

En route

To complement the blue moon, the effect of the sunrise was also spectacular
click to enlarge
The passage turned out to be somewhat uneventful. No-one tried to crash into Play d’eau; no-one even threatened us. In fact, it was quite boring with no-one to grumble at about COLREGS to make us feel holier than thou.

As you know, we’d originally planned to anchor off the east coast of the Île d’Houat in of its idyllic sandy bays on our return journey. Sadly, the weather disrupted this idea.

Passing to the west of the island showed us two more glorious and protected bays. Seeing this showed us that whatever the direction the wind was blowing, a night at anchor was possible somewhere around the lovely island.

True to plan, as we approached the Quiberon Peninsula, the tide was slack and the wind had died off. The rest of the journey was on a flat, almost glassy sea with no wind.

Port Louis

Having approached Lorient via the eastern channel, we entered and turned to starboard for Port Louis where we were met by the Harbour Master in his new orange RIB, sporting matching orange framed sunglasses – cool.

We were led to the hammerhead of Pontoon B. Another lovely mooring.

Given the weather forecast and our timing, we’ll probably stay here until Wednesday when we’ll head for Sainte-Marine to explore the River Odet before leaving for Camaret on the 8th August. All to the revised plan.

Met data

Pornichet’s entrance is an S-bend to keep unwanted westerley swells at bay
click to enlarge
Pornichet: NW4, clear at 0500, becoming cloudy by 0800, good
Sea state: 1½m steep westerly swell becoming smooth
Lorient: Clear skies, NW1

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 1 August 2015
Departed Pornichet: 0800
Arrived Port Louis: 1432
Pinchpoint: Quiberon Peninsula
Longest leg: 21.7nm
Time en route: 7hr 25min
Planned distance: 61.6nm

Tech issues: Having been saying nil, there was nothing new on this sector. But we have a list of seven items that need engineering attention on return to Beaucette.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

(click on the photos below to enlarge, and use the left/right arrows)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

Leg 15 (2015) – Les Sables d’Olonne to Pornichet

2 Comments

The day we left, the sunrise was setting the town on fire
click to enlarge
The decision was taken to make as much headway north as reasonably possible.

Northwards Ho!

After nine days in Les Sables d’Olonne of wintry cold, windy and rainy days, we had an ETD of 0700. We knew the westerly swell would be a short and steep 1½m for the first two hours but it would gradually diminish as we passed between Île d’Yeu and the mainland, destination Pornichet.

With a gentle NW2, at 0707 we quietly singled the warps, removed shore power, started Play d’eau’s Cummins engines, edged out of the Olona marina and into the fairway with a glorious sunrise and her early morning light warm on our backs.

Olona marina

Given the negative comments we’d heard about the Olona marina, we’d always chosen to stay at Quai Garnier. This time, we visited Olona simply because of our previous experience of excessive and endless noise and copious quantities of dirt at Quai Garnier, earlier this trip.

Contrary to hearsay, we found Olona peaceful and clean. We had an excellent berth (A46) and the Super U was only a five minutes walk away.

It’s sad, since Quai Garnier’s Harbour Master, Wesley, and his assistant, Plaideau, were so helpful. So would we return to Quai Garnier? Yes, but we’d have to say provided noise levels had dropped and the dirt from offloading cargo vessels had significantly decreased.

En Route

The modern, smart Olona Marina Capitainerie
click to enlarge
Almost as soon as we exited the pierheads and turned west and north west to round the town of Les Sables, the swell made its presence known. Play d’eau and her crew nodded up and down in a somewhat exuberant manner for the next two hours until we were running up the coast between Île d’Yeu and the mainland.

Knowing this is where we almost hooked a net two years ago, we doubled our watch. True to form, we spotted a net just below the surface with only two white markers some 500m apart.

Play d’eau performed a tight pirouette of which the London Ballet would have been proud, missed the net and plotted her way around it whilst we breathed a sigh of relief.

Grand Rade de La Loire

By the time we came to the Grand Rade there was only the slightest breath of wind and the swell was exhausted. It was calm. For a bit of excitement, our track took us through 14 anchored cargo vessels the largest of which was the SCF Valdai at 237m.

Pornichet

The final approach to Pornichet was through a yacht race which for some reason was being held tight across the marina and its S-bend entrance. Tough, Play d’eau was constrained by draught in the narrow channel and racing offers no additional rights of way.

Without incident, comment or raised voice, we entered the marina and settled into our berth.

Met data

We woke to find this cargo vessel on the other side of the marina. Was it capsized?
click to enlarge
Les Sables d’Olonne: NW2, clear, good
Sea state: 1½m steep westerly swell becoming smooth
Pornichet: Clear skies, NW1

Nav data

Times are FST.

Date: 30 July 2015
Departed Les Sables: 0707 (7 minutes late – call of nature)
Arrived Pornichet: 1432
Pinchpoint: None
Longest leg: 21.7nm
Time en route: 7hr 25min
Planned distance: 61.6nm

Tech issues: Nil

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

(click on the photos below to enlarge, and use the left/right arrows)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

Quadcopter No2

8 Comments

Cleared for take-off
click to enlarge
Having drowned our first Phantom Vision quadcopter in the most spectacular manner in Beaucette Marina a year ago (please don’t ask…) maybe you can understand my reticence to fly its replacement.

Quadcopter No2

Having carried No2 in Play d’eau’s pilot house ever since but never having had the courage to fly it, it’s been hassling me every day saying, ‘Come on! I want to fly. Are you a pilot or not?’

So with renewed (provoked?) confidence but with great caution and readings of manuals, I’ve been practising and taking pics and videos.

Trials

Ab-initio training started in a park with acres of land and no water. Soon, confidence returned.

Spot landings were on the agenda since I’d be operating either from the aft cockpit of Play d’eau or a pontoon.

Success!

Quad 2, you’re cleared to land…
click to enlarge
Being the quiet and undemonstrative sort of chap that I am, I have to say that it’s been quite successful. I’ve managed some half decent videos and stills as well.

Now I have to learn how to edit and link them to Play d’eau’s website – and can one add music to them?

Helpful advice is really welcome.

Piers
from Play d’eau’s College of Quadcopter Training
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Cruising

Ambushed by the weather

4 Comments

8am this morning, and endless black clouds and high winds assail us
click to enlarge
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.

But the moment John and Beryl left nine days ago, we’ve had thunder storms and high winds created by an endless march of depression after depression which have won the battle and sent the high pressure running.

Where now?

Good question. So far we’ve been holed up in Les Sables d’Olonne for six days and the first weather window seems to be next Thursday. If so, we’ll have been in Les Sables for nine days when we only intended one.

Our plan had been to visit Île d’Yeu, Pornic, Roche Bernard in the La Vilaine River, anchor off one of the beautiful, small islands of the Quiberon Peninsula, moving onto Lorient, the Glénans archipelago known as the Breton Tahiti, and finally Port la Fôret before heading for Camaret on the Finistère Peninsula on or around 9th August.

Looking further into the forecasts brings even more depressions. Growl.

Battle plan

Well, two can play at this weather game. So, planning for the worst, rather than seven stops en route to Camaret with time off to play at each, we’ll do it in three. Pornichet, Lorient and Sainte Marine, taking any available weather window.

Meanwhile, if another high pressure graces us with its presence and banishes the depressions, we’ll stay and play. If it doesn’t, at least we know ‘the plan’.

You see, there’s always next year….

Piers and Lin
from the Meteorological Observatory of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55