Belle Ile, 'the Beautiful Isle,' comes closer than most to cruising perfection.
Attracting a daily rush, of boats eager to enter its principal port: Le Palais. An event which Stargazer was spared, on arrival. Perhaps due to the previous day's high winds.
Directing proceedings are the darting RIB's of the capitainerie and the eclusiers.
Ever watchful for the arrival of the passenger ferry. When all yacht movements are suspended. For it must maintain a speed of eight to ten knots, in order to retain manoeuvrability, as it docks.
Once the ferry is past, and its wake subsided, the rafting of boats, against the outer breakwater, resumes.
The RIB's, of the capitainerie, selecting a suitable spot, as boats arrive.
Always finding the space for 'just one more.'
Behind the lock gates, in the Bassin a Flot, the waters are calmer. Although boats still raft three and four deep. Save for on the section of wall reserved for the daily supply ship.
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It is the price of a picture-perfect backdrop.
Beyond the Bassin a Flot, accessed by a bascule bridge, lies the Bassin de la Saline. It is of a more rustic and tranquil disposition. Boats lie singly, beneath stone walls and grassy banks. With village life going on about them.
It is here that Stargazer has had the great good fortune to find a berth.
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