Bilbao, Spain. Thursday 25 June 2015.

From the log with comments.

Left Les Sables on Thursday 18 June at 09.30 and had a good genniker run at 6 knots until abeam Ars-en-Re (really). Fiddled about off Antioke and finally in finger berth 51 in the little marina at St Denis d’Oleron, the last of the Vendee islands going south. Forecast stable with a high over Biscay and light northerly winds so decided to go directly to Bilbao as suggested by Nigel St George, 180 miles and keep off the French coast, Gironde entrance, Archon estuary and firing range. Departed St Denis at dawn after a welcome cup of tea from Nigel and Jenny. Motor sailed around the top of Isle d'Oleron in sunshine and had breakfast of chirozo omlette and bread. Spoke with Griffin, also en route to Bilbao so radio works in close quarters but unable to contact at 5 miles. Various encounters with fishing boats and a very dark night with the crescent moon setting about an hour after sunset. Fitful sleep but little seen until 11 am when mountains on the horizon. Breeze eventually came in at lunchtime on the second day so had plenty to sweep me into Bilbao and anchor of Getxo in 19 feet over mud. 37 hours all told. Booked for a week to see the city, catch up with myself and sort out the radio.

My highlights.

Entrance to St Denis looking out at near low tide over the sill.

Early Mist inundated with a load of racers from La Rochelle barbequing on the pontoon.

Dawn 100 miles from land.

Me with new hair do.

Mountains of the Basque country.

Pisces anchored off Bilbao, Getxo (think ch for tx).

Rioja Rerserva 2008 for lunch (with optional food).

Pisces alongside in Getxo marina.

Clouds in the morning (well about 10.30)

Beach for the top of the assendeur.

Guggenheim museum. Great building but not sure about Jeff Koons.

Les Sables d’Olonne, Wednesday 17 June 2015.

From the log with comments.

 Departed Pornichet 11 June in light westerly following Nigel, Jenny and Pip in ‘Early Mist’, who I had befriended in an early mist. Tried a radio check but unable to contact them after a mile or so. They also disappeared off the AIS screen so something wrong with the aeriel. Otherwise uneventful motor on motor off sort of sail in murky conditions across the entrance to the Loire. Turn left for Muscadet! Arrived Ile d’Yeu at 15.30 and found an empty finger berth. Left at 09.00 on 15 June again in convoy with Early Mist and again radio died after a mile or so and AIS signal lost. Motored most of the way in light rain arriving off Les Sables d’Olonne at 16.30 and allotted a marina berth right in the middle of town by the Capitainere. Spoke with Nigel St George, HLA for Crusing Association. He suggested a local marine electrician who came the next morning and changed several aerial connections but to no avail. I expect the problem is up the mast! Nigel St George also suggested heading down to St Denis d’Oleron for a good departure for Spain.

My highlights

Leaving in a leaden sky.

Early Mist abeam

Cycle ride around Ile d’Yeu with ‘Early Misters’ and climb up La Grande Phare did nothing for my vertigo. Down rough tracks to the Veux Chapelle and back in the rain.

Les Sables, starting point of the Vendee Globe round the world race but not in this one!

Dockside resturants and Lunch in Les Sables. Definite south feel now.

Pornichet. Wednesday 10 June 2015.

From the log.

Departed Sainte Marine, Benodet at 12.30 in easterly force 1 and motored for 4 hours to Isle de Glenan picking up a mooring in Bay de Plaissance in 14 feet at half tide. Engine hours 205 and 10L gasoil added. Left the next morning in NW light air with gennaker up and 5.5 knots in 9 knots of wind. Wind gradually increased and sails down to enter Lorient. After some excitment related to Port Louis being full, the tide strong and windy, I tied up alongside in Kerneval marina at 16.30. Phew! Washing and shopping done departed 7 June 11.00 and cracking sail in NE 3/4 along the Quiberon peninsula to anchor off Ile Houat in Trech Salus in rising NE wind. Noisy night but anchor held well with 50 m of chain out. Left the next morning and brisk sail with a reef in main and jib in NE 5/6 arriving in Pornichet at 15.30. Moored on hammerhead off L pontoon after calling the capitenerie on channel 09. 30 knots of breeze kept me there for 2 days!

My Highlights

The Veux Port in Sainte Marine. Delightful spot alongside with the port a short walk one way and the showers and shop the other. Pretty and relaxed village and a good creperie or two. Took the morning water taxi over to Benodet to buy a chart of the Isle de Grenan.

Sleepy anchorage in Ile de Grenan but beware the men who walk on water and the famous Glenan sailing school.

Where did that come from? In Kernevel marina after hectic activities.

Cycle up to see the Volvo race finish and buy some provisions in Le Clerc. I’d forgotten it was saturday morning.

Anchorage in Houat with rising NE wind but snug if noisy in 10m on sand.

South at last but I think the beard must go (nice Byron Bay hat).

Great Market.

And many thanks to Elogia who found my wallet left on a wall while I took a picture. She phoned Audrey at Bournemouth University and delivered it to the marina. Believe in human nature after all.

Saint Marine, Benodet, Tuesday 2 June 2015.

From the log:

Departed Portland marina 06.15 the 24 May in thick fog and no wind. Fog lifted at the Shambles and sailed into Braye Harbour, Alderney at 17.00 in WSW 4 and good visibility. Departed 04.45 on 26 May in NW2. Down a calm Swinge and motor sailed along the north coast of Guernsey.  Engine off, gennaker up and windpilot on for most of the way. Currey for supper and clear night arriving off Libenter buoy at dawn. Tied up in Aber Wrac'h at 06.00. Departed 10.30 on 28 May in W3 and good visibility. Tacked out and around arriving off Le Four tower at 14.15. Calm sail down the Chanel du Four arriving in the Marina Vauban, Camaret at 18.30. Dinner ashore and joined by Sue, Nick’s wife. Left 10.00 on 30 May in light southerly. Arrived early in the Raz de Sein in a rising SW4/5 but slipped past La Plate in sunshine and good beat up the coast arriving in Sainte Evette at 16.30. Picked up a mooring and dinner ashore. Nick left to join Sue and return to UK and Gozo. Gloopy day on mooring and departed 08.00 on 1 June. Close hauled down to Penmarch and all all round in sunshine arriving in here at 14.00 yesterday.

My highlights:

The face on the Portland harbour official when he realised we were about to leave in the fog.

The asymmetrical spinnaker made by Peter Sanders on a Spinex Pro-furl (note the beads). Worked a treat and took us from a wobbly 4 to 7 knots. Thanks Pete.

Taking Frank Singleton’s lines as he, and Jennifer, came alongside in Aber Wrac'h.

Boarded by 4 customs officers in Camaret with guns! Papers in order and photo!

Nick colour co-ordinated with La Plate tower, Raz de Sein.

Thanks to Nick and Sue. Enjoy your Contessa 32 Quest and may we meet again.

PS I’ve still got your fishing line!