Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 100

Mon 6.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux.
A few Finn pictures to celebrate Ben Ainslie's Olympic Gold yesterday.




This is a French boat that I saw racing off Pendennis Point, during the Finn Gold Cup, at the start of the cruise.




Ben was moving too fast for me to get a shot of him winning that series too!




On the Vilaine the wind is down from the SW5-6 of the past few days.




We'll reach/run down river tomorrow, when it swings round to NE; and make for Ile de Groix on Wednesday. Loc Maria anchorage on the SW corner should be sheltered.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Chemin des Tonnes,Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 99

Sun 5.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux.


I round one last bend in the river to arrive at Redon.


At this stone quay, almost 30 miles inland, the navigable river ends...


...and the canal system begins.


Redon is an historic market town...


...and watery crossroads.


I've walked up from Rieux along the river bank...


... making full use of the tree cover...


... as thundery squalls sweep through. The weather is due to settle from tomorrow. My first move will be to take Stargazer out through Cran bridge and Arzal lock.


Then we'll anchor in the mouth of the Vilaine, at Trehiguier, overnight; cross the bar at high water the following morning; and put to sea.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Chemin des Tonnes,Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 98

Sat 4.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux. I've caught up with old friends and met new in Rieux.




Hilary and Martyn have been through. We spent our evenings aboard Styria; feasting on Hilary's cooking and yarning into the night.




Lou and Jon have headed downriver aboard Pavati. Stargazer was rafted alongside them for 3 days. We watched the river together and put the world to rights.




Phil e mailed to say that Auriga sailed N through the Raz yesterday; on passage from Benodet Bay to Poole. Cameron on the helm; Christine and Alistair crewing. No Breton rendezvous for us in the end. Exchange of adventures will have to wait until Stargazer is home too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:La Cour de Rotz,Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 97

Fri 3.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux.




Walked down to the swing bridge at Cran today:




Traditional nets, shaped like inverted umbrellas, are used for fishing on the Vilaine.




Church spires dot the horizon and reed beds rustle in the breeze.




Kites circle high above the fields.




The bridge opens. A 25 knot SW breeze sends the waiting boats scurrying upriver to Rieux and Redon.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Théhillac,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 96

2.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux. The river swings in a lazy arc and a tree covered hill juts abruptly from the flat pastureland.




The castle of the Seigneurs de Rieux stands astride the summit. Its hidden now by trees and the walls have crumbled. Only the Keep still stands. Once, the castle dominated the skyline.




Cattle graze beneath, as they must have done for centuries; and the Vilaine river meanders to the sea.




For the next few days the forecast is squally 5's and 6's, with swell up to 3m off Belle Ile. A cue to explore the Vilaine some more.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:La Morissais,Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 95 part 2

Vilaine moonrise:











- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Rue du Château,Rieux,France

Living the Dream Cruise 2012 live update 95

Wed 1.8.12. Vilaine River, Rieux.
Headed upriver today. Deep into the French countryside.








Under the suspension bridge.




Past the old bridge.




Sailing through the fields. The bow wave chuckling and crickets chirping. Like no sailing I've ever experienced before.




I anchor off the swing bridge at Cran, to wait for the afternoon opening; then I see that it is opening and that I'm about to miss it. Stargazer scrambles through. I wave my thanks, for waiting, to the bridge operator.




The Vilaine meanders its way on up to Rieux. I bring Stargazer alongside. A steel barge is manoeuvring out in the river. Where's he going?


Then I realise: with a barge you just nudge into the bank and tie up to a tree. I go round to catch his lines.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:La Gicquellerie,Fégréac,France