Chris_Robb
Well-known member
Just got back from our best Summer cruise yet. Wonderfull sunshine - no wind - warmth - will it ever happen again??? ( Sorry James)
Because the weather was forecast to be hot, we decided to skip the north of Britany and find somewhere where there are a lot of fairweather anchorages, rather that fester in a river like Tregier. We therefore went from Plymouth to Morgat in one hop - 21 hours under engine and not a riple even in the Iroise. Morgat is a delightful place - uncrowded, and with all the beach anchorages you could want, - all backed by seacaves into which you could swim and row. It also had the BEST showers and facilities we came across being all totally new this year.
We stayed here for over a week, and then went north via Camaret, (not a favourite), L'abervrache, and then Treburden. As there was litle to no wind - again motoring - (but plenty of ice for the G&Ts). As we entered Treburden the seafog rolled in with viz down to about 100 mtrs - thank God for radar and GPS - you can imagine the evening rush of French boats going home in fog at full speed! Treburden is a good stop for a couple of days, though it was over double the cost of Morgat a night with showers a €2, with some loveley walks and views.
We now had to plan for the return crossing and with North Easterly 5-6 forecast we decided to go further East to ensure a decent angle to the wind for going home. So we decided to go to Tregier (great Spring tide entertainment on the pontoons). Motored up into a fresh North easter at 7 knots - speed over ground only 2 knots - the tide must be funnelled between Les Sept Isle and the mainland - for about 2 hours!
Tregier is a facinating old place - and they have finally repaired that crazy spire that blew down some years ago. At this point the 2 SWMBO's decided that the forecast 6-7 northeast for Saturday was more than they were prepared to do and so on Saturday morning at 6 am (5 BST) they were dumped on the pontoons to take the ferry from Roscoff to Plymouth, as we took off for Blitey .
We left the mooring and the weather was flat calm - the only thing that stirred was the masses of seaweed that floated on the surface of the river - within minutes the engine temperature was climbing and the exhaust note showed that there was no water cooling - so moor to nearest channel marker (I'm sure Jimi would do the same) and clean out the weed. On we go - for 5 minutes until all gone buggerup again - moored to another channel marker - repeat process. This time steer drunken course down river to avoid floating weed. - success - leave the river at 7.30 am BST with 100 miles to Plymouth breakwater to go. Wind gets up th 22 knots at 75degrees (ENE) all sail up - and go. There was a fairly large lumpy sea running and the speed varied between 7.5 to a top speed of 8.98 with the boat largely steering herself. At 10 we pass a large Legend well reefed down on same course - rounding continually into the wind - looking totally uncontrollable when hit by big rollers every few minutes! at 20.45 we pass Plymouth breakwater having made the 105 mile trip with an average speed of 7.8 knots. The wind remained contant in both speed and direction for the entire crossing, with absolutely nothing to do at all apart from the occaisional tweak of the wheel.
We were on our mooring at Torpoint by 21.30 - and ashore to grab a Chinese (takeway). Far too much food - as usual - put aside remains of fride lice for breakfast - breakfast comes - perhaps the fishes are hungry?
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Because the weather was forecast to be hot, we decided to skip the north of Britany and find somewhere where there are a lot of fairweather anchorages, rather that fester in a river like Tregier. We therefore went from Plymouth to Morgat in one hop - 21 hours under engine and not a riple even in the Iroise. Morgat is a delightful place - uncrowded, and with all the beach anchorages you could want, - all backed by seacaves into which you could swim and row. It also had the BEST showers and facilities we came across being all totally new this year.
We stayed here for over a week, and then went north via Camaret, (not a favourite), L'abervrache, and then Treburden. As there was litle to no wind - again motoring - (but plenty of ice for the G&Ts). As we entered Treburden the seafog rolled in with viz down to about 100 mtrs - thank God for radar and GPS - you can imagine the evening rush of French boats going home in fog at full speed! Treburden is a good stop for a couple of days, though it was over double the cost of Morgat a night with showers a €2, with some loveley walks and views.
We now had to plan for the return crossing and with North Easterly 5-6 forecast we decided to go further East to ensure a decent angle to the wind for going home. So we decided to go to Tregier (great Spring tide entertainment on the pontoons). Motored up into a fresh North easter at 7 knots - speed over ground only 2 knots - the tide must be funnelled between Les Sept Isle and the mainland - for about 2 hours!
Tregier is a facinating old place - and they have finally repaired that crazy spire that blew down some years ago. At this point the 2 SWMBO's decided that the forecast 6-7 northeast for Saturday was more than they were prepared to do and so on Saturday morning at 6 am (5 BST) they were dumped on the pontoons to take the ferry from Roscoff to Plymouth, as we took off for Blitey .
We left the mooring and the weather was flat calm - the only thing that stirred was the masses of seaweed that floated on the surface of the river - within minutes the engine temperature was climbing and the exhaust note showed that there was no water cooling - so moor to nearest channel marker (I'm sure Jimi would do the same) and clean out the weed. On we go - for 5 minutes until all gone buggerup again - moored to another channel marker - repeat process. This time steer drunken course down river to avoid floating weed. - success - leave the river at 7.30 am BST with 100 miles to Plymouth breakwater to go. Wind gets up th 22 knots at 75degrees (ENE) all sail up - and go. There was a fairly large lumpy sea running and the speed varied between 7.5 to a top speed of 8.98 with the boat largely steering herself. At 10 we pass a large Legend well reefed down on same course - rounding continually into the wind - looking totally uncontrollable when hit by big rollers every few minutes! at 20.45 we pass Plymouth breakwater having made the 105 mile trip with an average speed of 7.8 knots. The wind remained contant in both speed and direction for the entire crossing, with absolutely nothing to do at all apart from the occaisional tweak of the wheel.
We were on our mooring at Torpoint by 21.30 - and ashore to grab a Chinese (takeway). Far too much food - as usual - put aside remains of fride lice for breakfast - breakfast comes - perhaps the fishes are hungry?
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