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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. |
We had a great treat yesterday. One of our sons, his wife and two children are on holiday staying with two of their dear friends who live in Riberac, France. Yesterday, they all came to visit us on Play d’eau in the Bassin des Chalutiers, La Rochelle … Continue reading A Red Letter Day 
When flying for BOAC in the 1970s, I’d call these ocean station vessels (OSVs) on the VHF radio when overflying the Atlantic. Being stationed in specific geographic locations, OSVs could identify you by radar and advise your position. Really helpful given astro-nav and Loran were the two main navigation aids – there was no GPS in those days … Continue reading Ocean station vessel, this is Speedbird … 
As dawn was preparing to make her golden appearance to grace another red hot day, there was just enough light to see the trawlers off-loading their night’s catch at the maritime cooperative. The Bassin des Chalutiers at La Rochelle was today’s destination … Continue reading Leg 10 – Les Sables d’Olonne to La Rochelle – 18 July 2013 
We’ve had a great time at Les Sables d’Olonne celebrating our 41st wedding anniversary, cleaning Play d’eau, exploring the town and enjoying the constant movement of trawlers. We ate at Le Clipper, Restaurant gastronomique, one of many restaurants along the Quai Garnier where Play d’eau is moored … Continue reading Memories of Les Sables d’Olonne 
The forecast was right. The NE’ly had reached F5 again. Looking over the harbour wall showed a mass of white. Masts of departing yachts were bucking like a bronco as they made headway with water cascading over their bows. I suspect that if I was a yachtsman, I’d be shouting, ‘Yee Ha!’ Hmmm … Continue reading Leg 9 – Île d’Yeu to Les Sables d’Olonne – 11 July 2013 
Lin won. It was 27°C and exceedingly hot. I said we should hire a car with air-con; Lin said we should walk. Between these two extremes were hiring a mini-moke or cycling for which there are many Location de Vélos in Port Joinville … Continue reading A bus, a walk, a marriage, and another bus 
Oops! We hadn’t realised that by moving south from Vannes to Ile d’Yeu we were leaving the Department of Brittany and sailing into that of Vendée, a department in the Pays de la Loire region of west central France … Continue reading Out of Brittany into Vendée 
I confess that far too much Breton cider and Pastis was consumed and far too many olives fresh from the buzzing farmers’ market that morning; black in herbs and green in pesto. We had been invited for drinks by retired Chris and Sue of Aquitaine, a British yacht moored three places along … Continue reading Leg 8 – Vannes to Île d’Yeu – 5 July 2013 
It’s rare to find such an extensive farmers’ market. We’ll let the photos do the talking … Continue reading Vannes – the farmers’ market 
Founded by the Romans in 56 BC, Julius Caesar went on to conquer the area known as Brittany. Throughout the third century, fortified walls were built around the town to protect it from ‘barbaric tribes’. Between 1341 and 1364 wars of succession were fought between two families claiming the title Duke of Brittany, which was eventually won by Jean IV … Continue reading Vannes – a medieval town |
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