Piers and Lin du Pré bought their new Fleming 55 / 129, Play d'eau, in 2003.
Captain Lin drove Play d’eau out of the marina and onto Beaucette
click to enlarge
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
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
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)
Glad that you had a peaceful return leg after the previous one and that you’re back safe and sound in Guernsey.
P&Pxx
Your writing, again, is beautiful-brilliantly descriptive and often very moving. I love your blogs as they take me with you on your adventures. Thank you – it is, and they are, such fun. I can’t believe you are back already! The last two legs seemed to happen so fast and to miss two weeks is a lot. But wonderful that you are home. I am not surprised you had such a warm welcome.
The spectacular dolphin display, greeting, must be one of the most moving things that happened for you on your adventure – utterly personal and private. A special performance just for you. And to have the photos of them dancing and cavorting… That is a special treat. Thank you.
So- WELCOME HOME and lots of love, Hil x x x