The Raz du Sein

 Overnight the wind and swell dropped off, and we awoke to what for Brittany passes for a flat calm. We tidied and watered the boat and made ready to leave. We had enjoyed our stay at Douarnenez and were sad to leave such a delightful spot, but needs must so we said our farewells to Dave and Carol, Dave was expecting his new prop to be delivered and we promised to meet up further south. We made the mistake of leaving at lunchtime so all the sailing children were heading back into the harbour, we avoided any mishaps and Lynne began to get fenders away.

 We took a last look at Douarnenez and  out old friend the sardine lugger gracefully sailed by in the light airs, also heading in for lunch.

 

It was, or felt quite a long way out along the south coast of Douarnenez Bay. In reality it was probably about 18 miles. As usual the wind was right on the nose however by the time we had arrived at the small bay just before the Raz ( baie du Trespasse ) the wind was blowing force 5.

As we headed out towards the lighthouse  called La Platte the overalls were getting rather playful.

We managed to get some sail up as we bore away downwind past the notorious light, it does look rather dark and spooky.

The Raz du Sein is along with The Chanel du Four a notable and well respected area for tide races, and as we were very close to springs the tide was barrelling us along.

We continued to bear away and despite only having our Genoa up we were soon travelling at over 7 knots due in part to the fresh North easterly breeze and to us also having the tide in our favour.

By this time I was getting tired so Lynne took over the helm for a long and very enjoyable sail down the south coast of Cap Sizun.

 All too soon we were in sight of St Evette and Audierne and we had a bit of a think as to whether to carry on or stop. We didn't think too much as we were both tired after a bit of a fitful night so we elected to pick up a mooring buoy at St Evette, the northerly wind meant we would have a bit of a lee from the land even though it would still be a bit breezy.

We sought out a free buoy and had our first experience of French mooring "Bouls". We were determined to moor properly, that is to the shackle underneath the buoy rather than the pick up loop that most French boats seem to favour!

Within an hour of us mooring the Boat in front of us had been hit by another boat, we then realised just how close together the buoys were and how grateful we were to have a steel boat!

I

We dined in the cockpit bathed in evening sunshine, Lynne had made a cold plate which included some of her new found favourites, pate en croute, piemontes salad and carrottes frappe all washed down with a cold beer. The young man Jean-luc who had been hovering in a dinghy took our money for the night and agreed to bring us fresh bread in the morning. The moorings filled quickly as the sun set and as a chill set in we retired below.

Our AIS track for the day.