Vannes - Port Louis

Fri 30th July – left Vannes at 0920 and through swing bridge at 0930 – it only opens on ½ hour for 2 hours around high water. Lots of boats waiting to go into Vannes so it looks as if it will be very crowded as it was already nearly full when we left. Had a tour around Morhibian on way out – fascinating place with so many islands and lovely sheltered anchorages that you could easily spend a week or so just pottering around from island to island – on to do list for another time. Exit exciting as very strong currents and we reached 10 knots more than once even though only had engine speed for 5 knots, lots of disturbed water. Added challenge as hard to follow rule of road with small motor boats fishing in main channel – some people trying to sail out and numerous Vedettes (tourist boats)/ferries not slowing down – everyman for himself! Again not much wind but very sunny sail across bay, everywhere you looked there were boats of some form or other including an enormous trimaran. Berthed Port Haliguen at 1.30 – large modern marina but not many facilities. After lunch and another move to a finger berth, had very good walk along coast past usual excellent S Brittany beaches, to tip of Quiberon peninsular, where there is a designated area of special interest – quite rugged and can imagine pretty dramatic in rough weather. Stopped for a swim on the way back – not too cold once in! A really spectacular sunset. Phew sounds a lot when you write it all down.
Sat 31 July – not that impressed with Pt Harlequin and decided to move on – misty and overcast so islands not favourite , hardly any wind so motor sailed 20Nm to Port Louis arriving 1.30pm, which is at entrance to Lorient. Very friendly marina staff who found us a nice quiet finger pontoon. Pt Louis is an interesting and rather quaint walled town with an impressive citadel, claimed to be the best maintained in France. Good museums inside one dedicated to French East India Company of the 1700s which traded with India and China – lots of artefacts. Also special exhibition showing how they recovered many artefacts from wrecks with some very good videos of diving operations. You can walk around ramparts but in places very narrow (2-3ft) with no railings and 20 ft off ground so interesting meeting someone coming the other way! Good beaches nearby. Delicious oyster and fish dinner ashore rounded off another quiet day!!- okay both in bed by 1030! Like it here so staying at least until Monday. PS trying different technique for photos by making into montage before uploading to see if it works.