12 July 2010 - Etel to Port Tudy (ile de Groix)

Up early in order to catch the morning tide. Left the marina and headed down the river after a few other boats. Normally I would be concerned about leaving a fast-flowing tidal river at 1.5 - 2 hours after high water - I would be worried about being swept along at an alarming speed on a "one-way trip". No problem with that - the water was still flowing into the river at 1 knot or less and was still flowing in when we crossed the bar at about 2 hours after high water just before the pilot went off duty. We again had assistance by radio from the pilot - she is quite concise and formal with the actual pilotage, but then gets a bit chatty afterwards, wishing the visiting yachties "bon vacances" and exchanging pleasantries with old friends.



Sailed all the way to Port Tudy (there's a change) in S wind and were moored by 10:30! They say it's busy here and it's a good idea to arrive early but that's ridiculous! Hired bikes and explored part of the island, including the village of Lochmaria on the S side of the island, where we checked the anchoring possibilities for future use. I hoped using a bike would give my blister a rest, but we had to walk from each bike parking place to the relevant viewpoint.

The island is not as different from the mainland as the others we have visited and so is a little disappointing - it even has a full water system with fire hydrants and proper drains. The bike hire asked me to sign a form and expected a deposit - the others just took the money and gave us the bikes.

Hope tomorrow to move on to Lorient. The following day (Wed) is forecast to be very windy and we would like to be somewhere with shelter and entertainmant.