JerseyDiver
Well-Known Member
Just had an enjoyable 9 days in Brittany with very mixed weather. Entertaining a 3 year old and family.
First leg from Jersey to St Quay Portrieux was a wallowy downwind affair but allowed us to get to Brittany to start our holiday.
Great skateboarding in the huge berth holders car park but why build the shower block so far from the visitor pontoon ?? Showers at 2 euro a go with a crazy system of paying in the foyer and dashing to get undressed in the minute before your time starts is crazy. Alas, many showers were had had onboard. There was also some tactical OUT OF SERVICE signage going on. I assume some may of been OOS but I did try one to check and it seems it may save on cleaning for the staff if a certain number of showers are OOS.
St Quay makes a good stopover to await tides for Paimpol or Binic but otherwise not that exciting.
We pottered down to Binic on Friday afternoon to get over the sill on arrival but to our dismay the marina was closed for a festival which we did know was on but no notices of marina closure on their website or posted at St Quay.
Decisions, Decisions.........left or right from there but agreed not back to St Quay. Diversion for 25 miles along the coast under the famous Cap Frehal lighthouse. Tourists lined up on the cliffs where I have stood previously but looks far less dramatic from the sea even from under the cliffs. Arrived in St Cast early evening and had a great dinner at Newport above the marina. A few days exploring by foot, dinghy and stand up paddle board, many hours passed enticing the local mullet onto our hooks, a great few days. St Cast is a great marina with lots of berths good facilities and the wifi has improved from previous years. Only downside this time was a number of noisy french school yachts.
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Forecast for last few days was NW wind so we opted to run to St Malo. Bas Sablons is not comfortable in a NW and very swelly so if we did not get a better berth we would move to Bassin Vauban or sneak into the rance and maybe upto Dinan. Arrived at Bas Sablons after a rolly trip and the wind had increased to NW 7 with the local fishing crew raising an eyebrow at our arrival. Tied up on the crappy visitor pontoon and got 'the look' from the wife. Popped to office to organise a different berth which was arranged easily.
Bas Sablons has no wifi. There is wifi at yacht club but I think they turn it off when closed as I tried to use when passing. Great market in St Servan on Tuesday and Friday!
diesel was 1.29 euro which I thought was reasonable if you really need fuel and can't get any in Channel Island on way through.
Great few days in St Malo doing the walls and a day trip to Dinard and a bit of fishing. French mullet prefer Camembert to cheddar ?
Bassin Vauban had its pontoons missing. All being replaced to increase berths. The channel will be parallel to wall where boats traditionally moor then right turns into rows. pontoons should be installed by mid June but not sure when water and electric will be done.
Wife and child decided to get the ferry back to Jersey for logistical reasons and allow me an extra night in St Malo and the uneventful trip back to Jersey.
Update on fuel in Jersey. The fuel 24/7 opposite the waiting pontoons is under new ownership and are reducing the pricing to match the Victoria pier fuel as you enter marina. This is accessible at all states of tide and is self service although I am advised if will be manned during summer months.
Will add pics later
First leg from Jersey to St Quay Portrieux was a wallowy downwind affair but allowed us to get to Brittany to start our holiday.
Great skateboarding in the huge berth holders car park but why build the shower block so far from the visitor pontoon ?? Showers at 2 euro a go with a crazy system of paying in the foyer and dashing to get undressed in the minute before your time starts is crazy. Alas, many showers were had had onboard. There was also some tactical OUT OF SERVICE signage going on. I assume some may of been OOS but I did try one to check and it seems it may save on cleaning for the staff if a certain number of showers are OOS.
St Quay makes a good stopover to await tides for Paimpol or Binic but otherwise not that exciting.
We pottered down to Binic on Friday afternoon to get over the sill on arrival but to our dismay the marina was closed for a festival which we did know was on but no notices of marina closure on their website or posted at St Quay.
Decisions, Decisions.........left or right from there but agreed not back to St Quay. Diversion for 25 miles along the coast under the famous Cap Frehal lighthouse. Tourists lined up on the cliffs where I have stood previously but looks far less dramatic from the sea even from under the cliffs. Arrived in St Cast early evening and had a great dinner at Newport above the marina. A few days exploring by foot, dinghy and stand up paddle board, many hours passed enticing the local mullet onto our hooks, a great few days. St Cast is a great marina with lots of berths good facilities and the wifi has improved from previous years. Only downside this time was a number of noisy french school yachts.
Forecast for last few days was NW wind so we opted to run to St Malo. Bas Sablons is not comfortable in a NW and very swelly so if we did not get a better berth we would move to Bassin Vauban or sneak into the rance and maybe upto Dinan. Arrived at Bas Sablons after a rolly trip and the wind had increased to NW 7 with the local fishing crew raising an eyebrow at our arrival. Tied up on the crappy visitor pontoon and got 'the look' from the wife. Popped to office to organise a different berth which was arranged easily.
Bas Sablons has no wifi. There is wifi at yacht club but I think they turn it off when closed as I tried to use when passing. Great market in St Servan on Tuesday and Friday!
diesel was 1.29 euro which I thought was reasonable if you really need fuel and can't get any in Channel Island on way through.
Great few days in St Malo doing the walls and a day trip to Dinard and a bit of fishing. French mullet prefer Camembert to cheddar ?
Bassin Vauban had its pontoons missing. All being replaced to increase berths. The channel will be parallel to wall where boats traditionally moor then right turns into rows. pontoons should be installed by mid June but not sure when water and electric will be done.
Wife and child decided to get the ferry back to Jersey for logistical reasons and allow me an extra night in St Malo and the uneventful trip back to Jersey.
Update on fuel in Jersey. The fuel 24/7 opposite the waiting pontoons is under new ownership and are reducing the pricing to match the Victoria pier fuel as you enter marina. This is accessible at all states of tide and is self service although I am advised if will be manned during summer months.
Will add pics later
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