River Morlaix

Looking back at the way we came in

After the rain and winds of last night, we awoke to a cloudless day, still and very warm. Today would probably be as far west as we would go, so we decide to stay around for the day and enjoy what the local town had to offer. It was Saturday, we were just a week out from Dartmouth.

We saw as we came in the previous night that the town of Carantec was on the far side of the headland we were sheltering under, so we knew we were in for a significant voyage - in the rib. We had plenty of fuel, so no problem there. Locked the boat, donned the life jackets as usual, and headed off. We found the jetty at the far end of the beach, and tied up there. We knew the tide was coming in, so moved the boat right up the jetty and tied on to a lamp post.

The church spire pinpointed centre-ville just a few hundred yards away up the hill. A very tidy and obviously wealthy area. All the houses were well maintained and usually with beautiful gardens. The town centre was equally attractive. We found where they were serving coffee, and joined in with the French. Neither of us had brought any cash, so we asked where there was a cash point (well we waved a card at the proprietor) and he took David there.

David had spotted a creperie and since we hadn't tried these we thought we would give it a go. They had a beautiful garden at the back of the restaurant with views out over the sea. We had fallen on our feet. David went for fruits de mer, and I had sauscisson avec moutarde de l'ancienne. Sausage with mustard past its sell by date in a pancake? A bit odd, but very nice.

Back to the dinghy by way of the bar on the beach for a couple of beers. We were definitely in holiday mode, and thoughts of going sailing today were fading fast.

I settled up with the (smiley) waitress only to find David playing volley ball on the beach with some youngsters. David, in his youth, played for national junior volley ball squad of Scotland. A star in our midst?

Back into the dinghy and back to the boat so an afternoon of rest and recuperation after a hectic morning. We had bought a baguette and some smelly runny cheese. So we poured a small glass of Cabernet and had a very nice after lunch lunch.

Some domestic duties - washing and draping it all around the boat. We must have looked fantastic - but it was the perfect drying day!

We were going to go back into town for the evening in search of moules et frites. We went the other way around the headland - we figured it was less bumpy and a shorter distance.  Very shallow. Having learnt from previous trips we lifted the dinghy right up a very long beach and tied it carefully around a rock. Safe and secure, or so we thought!

Quite a long walk into town this way and very hot. Town seemed shut, and we didn't want to go to the same place as before, so we went to the beach on the other side. Beer, moules, frites. Perfect.

Google maps provided a shorter route back to the dinghy. When we got there the water had gone. If you have ever been to Blackpool you will know what I mean. The dinghy was certainly secure, but a very long way from any navigable water. And it was not just a nice sandy beach, it was black oozy mud. David carried the engine and fuel can and I dragged the rib. It was horrible. Sinking up to your knees in mud, and not really knowing what was down there! Eventually got to the water, and launched. It was still very shallow, and we had to push the boat out into deeper water with the oars and the engine churning up the mud. We got back to the boat, had some malt and retired.

Lesson? Check which way the tide is going.