The Chanel du Four

A reasonable forcast, in actual fact for very light winds indeed, led to us being ready to continue our journey along with our friends Jimmy and Shari from Aquila.

A 12 o'clock start would see us through the Chanel Du Four before the tide turns to run North. The crucial time that this happens today would be 1800 hours at the point de St Mathieu at the southern end of the Chanel.

We navigated the entrance to L'aber wrac'h which we have now discovered means estuary of the Hag, in reference to a peculiar shaped rock which does have a passing resemblance to the Hag in question, however there are so many rocks  I'm sure you could find one that resembled anything......

The winds were certainly light and so we motor sailed for a while with just the main up. As we got more clearance from the rock strewn coast we were able to head our course further south and thus we were able to deploy the Genoa.

Soon we turned south once again to pass the Four lighthouse and enter the Chanel proper, the wind was now slightly aft of the beam and the Genoa was flogging so we swopped it for the colourful Gennaker which had us making good progress in the light winds. It was very hot and Lynne and I were sporting our new sun hats.

 

We really needed them too as the heat was intense, a really glorious day. We called up Aquila on the radio as we couldn't see them in our wake anymore.

The view from Aquila.

All was well though and we continued our passage through this notorious stretch of water. 

As we got to the Pointe de St Matheiu the wind increased to a force four and we gybed the Gennaker and took off for Camaret Sur Mer at a good clip and we radioed Aquila to let them know. We had about 10 miles to go and it was good sailing with the big Gennaker pulling like a train, however it is really only a light wind sail and it was at the outside edge of its performance envelope and  couple of miles from Camaret we had to get it snuffed and back inside its turtle ( more vocabulary for Lynne! )

We dropped the main just outside the harbour and dropped out anchor off a small beach preferring the peace and quiet to the crowded marina.

Very shortly Aquila came to join us dropping her anchor close by.

A great days sailing and another town to explore tomorrow.......