Living the Dream Cruise live update 106

Sun 12.8.12. Loctudy. Everyone is out on the water today.


In gaffers....


....on dories....


...in cruiser racers.


Children....


...of all ages; enjoying the sea, in their own way.


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Location:Pagotaie,Pont-l'Abbé,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 105

Sat 11.8.12. Loctudy. The port is a delightful mixture:




There's the colour...




... and activity of the fish dock.




The reflective calm of an inland country retreat.




And Ile Tudy's relaxed holiday atmosphere.




I have an enchanting view from Stargazer's cockpit.
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Location:Rue Rémy le Lay,Loctudy,France

Living the Dream Cruise live update 104

Fri 10.8.12. Loctudy. A tranquil reach over a jewelled sea. The chute bellies before us, lifting us westward.




Pipes and fiddles from the "Festival Interceltique" had lulled me softly to sleep last night. Harsh recriminations on the quay, night long merriment gone sour, woke me at dawn.




I check the forecast: fair winds for Loctudy, sunshine too. In the morning light Lorient loosens its hold on me.




The sail down harbour, the reach along the coast to Loctudy, the sunlight dancing across the water; fill me with that mysterious joy that is called sailing.




We sight the Loctudy channel mark two hours after low water...




... and wriggle our way in behind the entrance spit. I bring Stargazer alongside.




Our lines are taken by an American, out of the Chesapeake aboard his Hans Christian 33 "Sojourn:"
"you're a long way from home"
"been doing it a while."
A man with some tales to tell I'm sure.
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Location:Rue Rémy le Lay,Loctudy,France

Living the Dream Cruise live update 103 part 2

Lorient. Just got in. A Breton festival of the sea is in full swing. Celtic bands are playing on both quays. The quays are lined with traditional craft. Proper pics tomorrow.


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Location:Quai de Rohan,Lorient,France

Living the Dream Cruise live update 103

Thr 9.8.12. 47.36N, 03.23W, approaches to Lorient.




Left the Vilaine under Cruising Chute. There seemed more depth going out!




Carried it all the way across Quiberon Bay and through the Teignouse Passage. (Teignouse lighthouse is the spec on the horizon). Teignouse in a more benign mood than on the way south.




Rounded the Birdvideaux tower and piloted our way into Loc Maria on Groix. The summer weather had given other people the same idea. The anchorage was full. It's a lovely spot from what I could see.




Making for Lorient with the tide under us.
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Location:Les Chats,Groix,France

Living the Dream Cruise live update 102

Wed 8.8.12. Vilaine River, Trehiguier. Sea glassy as a millpond at 06.00. I check the latest forecast: NE 2-4 dropping 2-3.




A Force 2 day. Too light to make Groix under sail. Looks better tomorrow; a passage making, NE Jolie Brise (F4).




High water on the bar is 10.30; start feeling our way out just after 09.00.




Read Conrad's "Lord Jim" from a sunny cockpit. Content, after yesterday's exertions, to be still, and watch the cormorants dive for fish alongside.
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Location:Le Moustoir,Arzal,France

Living the Dream Cruise live update 101

Tue 7.8.12 Vilaine River Trehiguier.




Beat 26 miles down through the Vilaine countryside in a W3-4 today. Stargazer must have felt like a bagatelle ball as we followed the shifts and ricocheted between the banks!




Through the fields to the Cran swing bridge.




Under the arch bridge. Tacking feverishly to stay in the, high, central section - the wind swirling unpredictably around the span.




Under the suspension bridge and through Arzal lock. Down to Trehiguier in the the river mouth; ready to catch the tide out over the bar.




Moored among the fishing boats.
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Location:Le Moustoir,Arzal,France