Piers and Lin du Pré bought their new Fleming 55 / 129, Play d'eau, in 2003.
Pre-dawn long-range pic of Les Sables tralwers off-loading their night’s catch
click to enlarge
La Rochelle’s Bassin des Chalutiers was today’s destination.
Leaving Les Sables d’Olonne
Play d’eau was moored port side to. Having singled out the warps, Lin took the helm. Using a forward spring and a touch of starboard throttle, Lin gently eased the stern off the pontoon before engaging reverse power to take us off the berth at our planned departure time of 0730.
Neat, so neat.
The Journey
Flat calm and hot as we headed towards La Rochelle. On days like this it can be difficult to distinguish between sea and sky
click to enlarge
Arriving
Access to the Bassin des Chalutiers is through a lifting bridge and lock gate, which is only opened for around two hours at top of tide. Hence, our early departure from Les Sables d’Olonne.
As we travelled under the huge bridge that links the beautiful Île de Ré with La Rochelle, we passed the deep water port before turning into the approaches to La Rochelle.
Giving the Capitainerie 30 minutes notice of our pending arrival on channel 9, we were met by M. Christian, Harbour Master, in his dory. Within moments the bridge lifted and M. Christian led us though the lock gate into the basin and to our berth.
We have electricity, water and Wi-Fi.
The tecky details
M. Christian, Harbour Master, guided us through the lock gate and to our berth
click to enlarge
1245 FST – Arrived Bassin des Chalutiers, La Rochelle
Planned distance – 36.3nm
Longest leg – 13.7nm – Bourgenay SWM to NNW of Pt Grouin
Waypoints – 13
Tech issues – None.
Note: The oil leak reported on Leg 9 is under watch and will be repaired when back in Beaucette. The stabiliser pump and gearbox will have to be removed before the flywheel housing is exposed, after which the offending seal can be replaced.
Piers and Lin
from the Engine Room of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.
Hi Piers and Lin – happy memories. The week before I joined du Pré plc (a company you might have heard of) Michelle and I took a driving holiday in France. We visited Rochefort where we saw the replica l’Hermione in build (see http://www.kimhollamby.com/blog/2009/02/21/lhermione-seduction-and-discovery) and then drove up to La Rochelle and onto Ile-de-Ré where the main challenge appears to be exactly which restaurant you pick to eat your oysters and mussels. Have fun!