From Vannes, we had a window of opportunity to moor for two days in Houat at 20 nautical miles, in Tréach Er Gourhed. Given the tides, we could only depart around 16:00 from Vannes, and reach Houat by 20:00. There were already around 40 ships mooring in this bay, but it was not a problem given our 1metre draft to find a place very close to the shore. Keep in mind that we are still in June, and the sailing season starts in mid-July, where you are likely to be in the hundred of sailing boat around here.
Despite winds from the West in the 8 to 10m m/s, from which we were protected, the night was a bit shaky because of a northern swell.
The Golfe du Morbihan is intimidating at first. It is known for its strong currents, tides and tricks. But in fact, as I asked my neighbours in the Le Crouesty marina, you just need to let yourself flow by the current in order to avoid obstacles.
Belisama was discharged from the Alubat rehabilitation service on Monday. She was thrilled to go back to water. However, there was still a long way to go before she could set sail. Especially since she got a raging fever, with temperatures above 40°C.
After arriving in Sables d'Olonne in May 2021 on our way to the Mediterranean we had to make a stop-over for Belisama to undergo a surgery involving both hip replacements following a hit on a rock a few years ago in northern Sweden that resulted in some deformation in the aluminium hull that we did not noticed. Indeed, we had hit a rock in Sweden, but did not realise how much it deformed the hull as the behaviour of Belisama was not affected. Below is the picture of Belisama being lifted off water last summer. The angle between the two rudders was not resulting from having bent one of the shaft but rather from having hit the shape of the aluminium hull around the portside rudder.
13 of May was "the window"! After consulting with my "master" Fañch (Cybèle 17), we decided to choose for a departure at 16:00 from Aber-Wrac'h, in order to arrive at the entrance of the "Four channel" by 20:00, at the reverse of tides, and take the rolling carpet at night through the "Four Channel" and the "Raz-de-Sein", a 30 nautical miles through the "Iroise Sea", one of the most challenging sea in the world.
Yesterday, the forecast was indicating a good window for passing through the Four and Raz-de-Sein on Wednesday morning. But today, the Arome model, which is probably the best close range forecast model is indicating up to 20 m/s (40 knots/Beaufort 9) South of the Raz-de-Sein around tomorrow noon, which is clearly prohibitive of any attempt to go through.
So we had another day waiting in Aber-Wrac'h...
So, who are the people sailing along the Channel in these Covid times with such bad weather in the past 10 days? They are interesting people. Let me tell you...
Our first neighbours is Trifon, a "Lévrier de mer" from the boat constructor "Le Guen et Hémidy", the same that constructed La Malouine, my previous Brise de Mer. They are six crews on board. They came from La Rochelle, and heading North to Iceland with a funny small carbon rowing boat on board, and a project...
After ending the 2020 season in Cherbourg late august last year, I came twice to visit Belisama there to ensure everything was Ok. Finally, late April, I came again from Sweden to welcome the crew that would accompany me from Cherbourg to Sables-d'Olonne where Belisama is expected on 17 May to get her skeg fixed... Here is the crew on the way from Cherbourg to Aber-Wrac'h, the first step on this difficult route.
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| Arcus cloud |
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| The tapestry of Bayeux, 1066 |
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| The grand pavois in the church of the enclosed city. |
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| Setting sun on the way to Guernesey |
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| MACIF, along île de Groix, 22 August 2015 |
