Paimpol

Julie becoming expert at pilotage!

Our last downwind leg, under foresails between the Île de Brehat and across the drying Baie de Paimpol.

Arrived at half tide and tied up to the vertical ropes in the lock and waited half an hour before "Susan J" was lifted to the floating basin.

After much manoeuvring to take on diesel we were placed alongside a long and empty visitors pontoon in the inner basin. Beneath a vast temporary fair.  Fortunately, the latter was resting before the weekend, so it was fairly peaceful.

With all facilités, including boulangerie and bars in sight, this was a very convenient location.  We spent the afternoon doing laundry and stocking up.

We then visited the small Museum du Mer and learnt about the very tough 70 years until 1935, when large locally built schooners were crewed and supplied by the town in February and sailed to Islande (Iceland) to line fish for cod, in those days weighing an enormous 30 - 60 kg. Some, but not all, of the boats returned in September with their catch salted in the holds.  Over the seventy years, or so some 100 boats and 2000 fishermen were lost.  Although some of the shipwrecked fishermen got ashore and intermingled with the lonely Icelanders, whose own men folk were were themselves at sea during the fishing season.

In the evening Rosie and Matt arrived via plane to Nantes and train to join "Susan J" for the next stage!

The following morning was spent at the market, which seemed to sprawl through out the medieval town. Much local produce and reasonable quality of goods. Leading to a leisurely start to their cruise.