Log

I promised a post about navigation way back in Norway. It's a bit of a dry topic so I'll throw in lots of pictures and explain around those...

I'd been hoping to sail continuously - that is whenever possible - and just doggedly push on through winter. But that isn't how it's worked out.

Once onto the North Spanish coast progress really slowed. A combination of factors caused that:

At Gijón I met up with Montse and Iñigo who had received and were taking care of a replacement for the original sail. Turbo GT one was very nice indeed. Turbo GT two is truly beautiful!

How did Turbo GT one fare?

I have some experience of sail lifespan experiments. 10+ years working at a Mediterranean sailing centre, and 98 days for the Round Britain adventure on a Tushingham Bolt. Both experiences gave me a good idea of what to expect...

Llanes to Gijón. 41 nautical miles. The final sail of the original Severne Turbo 9.2. We've come a long way - from the Arctic to Asturias. This last sail it completed with two fresh holes - the films just don't have anything left now, the UV has done for them. Nice to give the sail a proper send off though. Even feel a bit nostalgic. New sail tomorrow.

Light winds today but a smaller swell. A sail, paddle, sail, paddle day. Moved from San Sebastián to Getaria, and had company :)

I'm now in Spain, have been for a few days, but haven't got far. In my imaginings - often an unreliable source - the Aquitaine coastline of France - that's the long straight bit heading south - was going to be particularly difficult to get past. But the weather was more favourable than I could have hoped for, help came my way from wonderful contacts, and additional humbling kindness arrived spontaneously. Good fortune smiled on me, the fog cleared, and I made hay while the sun shone all the way to the border.

Had a few tough days lately. Tough as in with a significant element of fear. They are interesting. There is a pattern in they happen and in the response.

I never seek these days. They either can't be avoided, or happen because I've misjudged the challenges of the day: wind, current/tide, swell, coastline/water depth profile... Tough is usually either a struggle to get to land, or a struggle to make a landing.

Staying with good friends Ian, Solenne and Lily-Rose at La Rochelle and taking the opportunity to inspect / reinforce / repair / replace gear that has worn, which is basically everything!

Very necessary to do this as only 1/3 distance completed means 2/3 still to go, and the gear needs TLC to keep it going. While I try to be gentle on kit, sometimes conditions means that the going is quite brutal. And the number of hours sailed accounts for premature ageing of all gear (and probably myself too - but hey, no point saving yourself for a tomorrow that is never guaranteed...).

You never know what the day will bring. Today was good miles, a small problem, a quick repair, and an unforeseen barrier...

There hadn't been a decision to make a prolonged stop, it's just worked out that I haven't got far this week. On Sunday I reached Etel estuary just before the Quiberon peninsular, and linked up with an old Swansea University friend Charlie Drakeford. Storm Ophelia blew through before I headed back out through the swells to get round to the protected side of Quiberon, and then into the Gulf of Morbihan, where I linked up with Charlie again. Calm conditions, storms forecast for the weekend, and an open house offer to stay until conditions improve now account for the stationary tracker.

Sailing from Le Fort Bloque, more headwinds but enough for OK progress. Then the fog came. And a foghorn was sounding, encouraging me to stay close inshore. Some miles later and out of the white mist appears a regatta committee boat. I sail towards it and then a beach that becomes visible, make an inelegant landing, and am helped ashore by this friendly crowd, of windsurfers!

Photo montage by regatta organiser Patrick Le Lay, who had let me know about the event, but in typically disorganised fashion I'd not fully registered when or where...

Today sailed through the Raz de Sein, which has the most notorious current and overfalls on the French coast. A small gap next to the Pointe du Raz allowed a passage through on flat water. Then a long haul in open water, a few zigzags to get through the rocks off La Point de La Torche, and finally into the calmer waters of south Brittany. Good to get here! Video clip is of the current yesterday just after leaving Le Conquet, where it also burbles through quick.

North Brittany. A truly beautiful coastline with many well protected bays. At low tide, rocks are everywhere. They form barriers that block or hide the route to the beaches. Navigationally confusing. The marked channels to get inside are welcome finds.

The currents - further out - tear east, then west, with a half-hour period of indecision in between. There's little point attempting to sail against them if the wind is light.

Wind and rain for most of the day. Flat water, but too windy for comfort before the Héaux de Bréhat lighthouse. The lighthouse itself sits on a reef, so inside is protected. Beyond, the sea should have been a cauldron, but big tides - full moon tonight - turned the sea into a eastward flowing river, robbing the waves of their strength. Being lucky, still. 40nm nearer to Spain!

Exciting sailing.

Short but nice video clip sailing away from Dinard (near St Malo), France. This after a great stop where without a plan things all came together, and the true spirit of humanity and collaboration shone through again. Thanks to Léo Lefebvre for being in the rubber boat and the iphone video work.
(Update: there are now two clips - click through to see the second one).