SYC Dufour Rally part 2
Published 11:47 on 3 Jul 2023
Snow Goose, Ardea and Tir Na N'og reporting from Roscoff whilst awaiting fair weather for the return passage to Salcombe.
Our last report was from the beautiful island of Houat where we enjoyed 2 peaceful nights at anchor, walking on the island and a bbq aboard Tir Na N'og.
We left at sunrise on the 18th and motored to La Trinite. As we approached we were greeted by 100 racing yachts leaving the harbour. After celebrating James' birthday in a very good restaurant, a rest day gave us the chance to walk or cycle to Carnac to admire the megalithic alignments.
The following day we set off for Sauzon in a good breeze which saw us all having close encounters with the giant trimaran Actual. On Belle Isle we hired electric bikes and visited La Palais and both extremities of the island. After a rather lumpy night on the buoy we set off for Port Louis. The wind carried Snow Goose and Ardea up the coast until we were intercepted by a high speed launch instructing us to alter course as we were entering a live firing range. We all reached Port Louis safely where we were impressed by the marina. A day ashore gave us the chance to visit the citadel and its fascinating museums.
On Saturday 24th we set off for Benodet but a tip off from Graham Parker alerted us to the fact that 100 classic yachts were there for the weekend. So we headed for Loctudy. It was a long very hot motor. We were impressed by the well appointed marina and lovely scenery. By chance that night was the 'fete de saint Jean' which involved dancing and a spectacular 'feu'. The Ardea crew were particularly enthusiastic on the dance floor! After another lovely day we sailed in light winds to St Evette where we picked up buoys for an early morning departure. We went through the Raz about 2 hours after slack water on a neap tide when max tide recorded on Snow Goose was 4.5knts. The wind was light but sea a bit lumpy. In Camaret we walked to the Atlantic memorial on the cliff top above a large and beautiful sandy beach. In the evening a fourth boat squeezed in to our pontoon. Not only another Dufour (bien sur) but another Tir Na NOg! The owners turned out to be very proud of the name carrying with them a book (in English) about the legend of Tir Na NOg, a folk song about it on their mobile phone as well as sporting the name on caps and shirts.
We set off the next morning at dawn with just enough light to pick out the lobster pot bouys. It was a motor sail in grey murky conditions with a long swell but with the tide under us all the way to the Isle de Batz we got 13 nm of help and arrived in Roscoff at 3pm. The following evening we were joined by Roger Odell and Nick White who had kindly volunteered to act as extra crew to get Tir Na NOg and Ardea back to Salcombe.
It has been a wonderful few weeks in great company with delicious food, helpful marina staff, good weather, beautiful scenery and lots of dolphins.
Snow Goose, Ardea and Tir Na N'og out
