En France 29

 

L'Eglise Saint Nicolas surveys a tranquil scene, from the quayside of the 'canal.'

Waterfront streets wake to the new day. Bright and fresh.

Quiet, save for a steady stream of shoppers securing the breakfast baguette. Still hot, from the baker's oven.

Fishing boats, both pleasure and professional, ply mirror calm waters.

The flags on La Tour D'Arundel hang lifeless, in the still air. A British yacht putting to sea, in the hope of breeze later. 

On Sunday, the picture was very different. As the bunting and banners testify, Les Sables is the home of the (four yearly) Vendee Globe, solo circumnavigation, race.

The Vendee Arctique (Les Sables, around Iceland and back) is a qualifier for the skippers. Its start was on Sunday. The 'canal' thronged with spectator craft. A curfew imposed, on marine movements, to allow competing craft safe passage to the line. The quaysides packed with people. The skies filled with fire works and fly by's.

I was tempted to take Stargazer to spectate. Arriving as the IMOCA fleet thundered north, toward us. (I had only noticed the date of the start on Saturday).

Common sense prevailed. Straying into the path of twenty five foil borne flyers would have been foolhardy, at best.

Today Les Sables is back to its work-a-day self. The trawlers going about their trade.

The Vendee Globe pontoon, with its 'pen portrait,' TV friendly, backcloth, is in shadow. For now, the preserve of super sized cruising yachts. Until the racers return, toward the end of the month, to reclaim the limelight.

Breeze from the east is a precious commodity, on this coast. Blowing off the land. Keeping la houle at bay. It will be with us for only a couple of days more. Choosing the day, on which it picks up sufficiently for passage making, will be the trick.

Picture Credits

'Apivia at Sea:' courtesy of Maxime Horlaville

Charal / Jeremie Beyou: courtesy of  Olivier Blanchet