As we sit here on board Whimbrel, gently rocking at anchor off the Ile de Re, enjoying the hot sunshine and clear blue skies I reflect on the last 11 harem scarem days we spent getting here! We joined the RNSA@90 Biscay rally departing Guernsey on 26 May aiming for La Rochelle on 6 June and the end of rally Dinner. We had crossed to Cherbourg earlier in the week and visited Alderney on our way South where we and had fun meeting some of the Leg 1 rally boats at the Alderney yacht Club. Whilst in Guernsey I popped home via ferry so that I could pick up Dolly and Al from the airport as they returned from their world travel year. It was a treat to see them and hear the beginning of their amazing stories. Many more to come I hope.
As we headed Southwards from Guernsey we stopped in Jersey for a few days before heading across to France. A hard core of 5 RNSA yachts made up leg 2 of this rally; Escapade of Rame, Seahorse, Truly Scrumptious, Sabi and Whimbrel. Seahorse departed early and headed for Roscoff and on 26th after a delay due to weather, Truly Scrumptious, Sabi and Whimbrel headed for Jersey in a rather frisky south westerly Force 7. Escapade had an unexpected mechanical and had to head back to Gosport from Guernsey, promising to catch up with us as soon as she was fixed; Truly Scrumptious, Sabi and Whimbrel headed for Jersey. Weather bound here for a few days we departed again on 29 May and for the next few days enjoyed a similar sea sate – swells of 2.5 to 3 metres and winds 16 to 24kts though thankfully with a bit more north in the westerly winds.
Choosing our own route to France we spent our first night at anchor in the beautiful Treguiere river in the pool under the chateau - just perfect. Departing the next morning we encountered an amazing cloud and sea configuration - quite stunning.
Entrance to the river treguiere
North Entry L'Aber Wrach- La Malouine
The Portsall Passage
The closest we came to any visible rocks - Le Basse Flamand
some more rocks on the Portsall passage
Rocks near Chenal du Four Lighthouse with a yacht coming the normal route
Le Four Lighthouse going South, same yacht
Round the rocks to Pen Hir anchorage
TS off to La Belle Isle
Sabi en route
Sabi preparing to dive
Escapade anchored outside St Martin de Re
We each chose our own route west and south and caught up with each other at various ports. For Whimbrel, it was the edge of our comfort zone to make a passage with deadlines and we did not sail overnight but had a few early starts and late finishes. We anchored twice, our second night through the chenal du four and into the bay of Douarnenez around some hair raising sharp looking rocks. We gave ourselves a fun navigation exercise through the Portsall gap from L’Aber Wrach, breezed through the Raz de Seine and caught up with Truly Scrumptious and Sabi in LocTudy. A breezy start from here sent TS and Sabi to La Belle Isle whilst Whimbrel headed for Port Tudy on Ile de Groix. A very early start allowed us to catch up again in Ile D’Yeu only to find that Escapade was there waiting for us all – an epic voyage from them!. A final delightful sail in sunshine and occasional squalls led us to La Minimes in La Rochelle in time for a most enjoyable rum and supper on board.
All blue Ensigns together
A motley crew
It was with a great sense of satisfaction that having set ourselves this challenge we raised our battle flags and paraded into the Basin de Chalutiers in La Rochelle on 6 June, with Escapade, Truly Scrumptious and Sabi. It was a distance of 544nm. For us it represented the difference between passaging and cruising and we thoroughly enjoyed this start to our adventure this year. So passaging done – cruising beckons and at the moment the weather is simply perfect!
