Dandelion 46

 

Throughout Thursday evening, thoroughbreds, from yesteryear, stream into Port Louis. Sporting the colours of many nations. Their varnished topsides aglow.

By the time Stargazer leaves, on Friday morning, the grand daddy (in France, boats are male) of racing classics has arrived, to claim pride of place. Lean and black. Pen Duick.

Stargazer takes the east channel out of Lorient. As a coastal freighter slices down the western, deep water, route.

A light northerly fills Stargazer's cruising chute. Giving us four knots. More in the puffs.

We reach south, along the coves and low cliffs of the Quiberon peninsula.

Waving to Heather and Peter as Suive passes. Heading in the opposite direction.

Stargazer takes an 'off piste' route into the Teignouse Passage. After watching a stream of French boats cut the corner, I drop waypoints on their AIS tracks. Scrutinise the chart well. Then follow them through.

Which straightens the dog leg, of the buoyed channel, and saves both distance and gybes. The wind by now in the west to north west.

'Our' anchorage, on Houat, lies empty, as we pass. Calling out, for us to pay it a call. But we must resist the tempation to tarry.

For, out in the Atlantic, the IMOCA fleet is nearing the finish line. As they fly, from New York, to the French capital of solo ocean racing - Les Sables d'Olonne. In the final qualifier, before the start of the headline Vendee Globe, round the world race, in October. 

Stargazer can reach Les Sables d'Olonne, in time to greet the arrivals. If we press on, single mindedly, over the next few days.

Our resting place tonight: the tranquil village of Piriac.

Our last (planned) Breton port, before we sail for the Vendee.