Vannes and the Morbihan

After getting all the chores done in Crouesty - provisions and 2 weeks of washing - we set off for a short spell in Vannes. The forecast had been very mixed but in fact generally we had lovely warm and sunny weather - ideal for wandering around the town. The flower beds around the ramparts were looking beautiful, much more mature than when we had been earlier in the summer. We also celebrated 35 years of wedded bliss - there were plenty of good restaurants to choose from but we elected to try one from the Michelin Guide, Roscanvec. It was an excellent meal, we opted for the 'degustation' menu which meant it was up to the chef as to what he decided for you. There were 6 courses and the food was fantastic.

After spending 3 nights in Vannes we headed out to one of the islands - Ile D'Arz - which was much more peaceful than when we were last there in July. Its a beautiful area for walking and the weather gave us the opportunity to see much more of the island than we had done previously. Unfortunately the batteries on Cabernet gave out in the middle of Saturday night, she's a power hungry boat and I like to keep the fridge operating which causes a big drain. Still she started ok on just the one engine battery and we pottered around to Ile aux Moines, where we hooked up to shore power and were once again able to enjoy the civilised side of being on the water.

We will probably remain in the Morbihan until Wednesday, after which we'll start wending our way slowly back to the Vilaine.

Belle Ile

After the traumas of Houat we had a couple of quiet days in Port Haliguen, although the wind was still stronger than the crew would have liked! We set off on wednesday for Sauzon on Belle Ile - we had visited Le Palais on the island earlier in the summer but had not been too impressed, probably influenced by the fact that it had been pouring with rain at the time. However the settled forecast for the following few days encouraged us to give Belle Ile another try.

Sauzon was just delighful and so quiet now that the main French holidays have finished. We tied up bow and stern in the inner harbour intending to dry out for the first time. However even at low water we still had about a metre under our keel - the skipper on one of the other yachts was taking advantage of the glorious weather to clean his hull but my skipper was not at all inclined to follow suit!!

After a very quiet night in Sauzon we set off down the coast for Le Palais, all of 5 miles away. Again it was much quieter than our last visit and we decided our first impressions had been far too hasty. We took a trip to the citadel - very well cared for and I was treated to afternoon tea in the hotel which forms part of the premises - very posh.

The next day was skipper's birthday so we hired a 'car' to tour the island, particularly the Atlantic coast which turned out be be spectacular, especially in the hot sunny weather. The car was good fun but a real effort to drive - give me a sophisticated gearbox any day!!

We could have stayed longer but the forecast for the forthcoming week looks as though the weather is going to break down a bit so Sunday saw us heading once again for Port du Crouesty. Another fab day, all the sails flying but not quite enough wind to make sufficient headway so, with a bit of engine, we managed 7kts on the 16 mile trip across the Quiberon Bay. It looks like Vannes will be a good option until the weather settles again.