La Baule 

Our next port of call was chosen more for its convenience en route than for its charm.  La Baule is a large resort built on the fringes of a bay blessed with a continuous four-mile sandy beach.  There is also a very modern marina and as we had spent the previous four night on moorings the appeal of ‘facilities’ beckoned.

We retraced our route out of The Golfe and headed southeast around the coastal headlands.  Once again the wind and tide were fair and we were soon goose winged and making good progress, towing our now carnivorous ‘Joka’ fishing line.

Our faith in the fishing line was finally rewarded and we landed two mackerel, the first by Chris and I later brought in a second.  Our dining plans were revised and Chris went below in search of fish recipes . . .

Our first ‘home caught’ fish supper went to plan, preceded by several other firsts; first ever gutting and cleaning of a fish, first ever removal of backbone – following the instructions in a cookery book, not to mention the first ever catching of anything really fishy!

The next day we bought La Troisieme.  Our yacht is called La Premiere and so we refer to the inflatable as La Deuxieme, so when Chris finally succumbed to the desire to purchase a sailboard we named her La Troisieme.  Chris chose quite a small carbon-fibre board, which he seemed pleased with because it will be fast, apparently.  I was not displeased because I had to help carry it home and it was certainly light and it does not take up too much space against the starboard side-rail!