Camaret, 30 May 2005
From L’Aber W’rach to Camaret the route takes us through the Chenal du Four, a big tidal gateway marking the end of the English Channel and the start of the Atlantic coast of France. We timed our departure to get a big push from the tide and motored out into a headwind and lumpy sea. Our course soon turned south past the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz and we were able to sail, enjoying a very pleasant reach in light winds beneath a blue sky. After a few miles the islands of Ushant began to shelter us from the Atlantic swell and our passage became comfortable too.
We chose to stop in Camaret rather than head further into the bay to Brest because it would save us an hour when we next left.
We managed a walk along the cliff tops which offer a panoramic view across the Rade de Brest to the north round to the Vauban fort overlooking the marina to the southeast. Poppy enjoyed playing on the ‘musical stones’, a beach of large pebbles that made a lovely noise when walked upon, a deep hollow echo like the ticking of a great clock. On our return we met another British yacht cruising with their children, one four the other five. Their plans were a little more ambitious then ours, to reach Sardinia by August.
More entertainment was provided by a fishing net purchased in the local Cooperative Maritime. A couple of hours fishing were rewarded by a plastic bucket housing three shrimps and a very small fish, superintended by a very satisfied Poppy.
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