The Westerly Owners' Association - South West Group

North Brittany Summer Rally

Perhaps this rally should be renamed, “The rally that nearly didn’t happen”. In hindsight the proposal was quite ambitious, however if we had departed a month earlier all would have been achieved. The vagaries of the UK summer weather and unreliable forecasts modified the plans rather, but that’s what plans are for.

The event was well supported, 14 boats gathered in Dartmouth ready for the off. Only 3 early rising boats made the crossing as planned to Guernsey, our first stop. Waking slightly later, the rest of us heard the midnight forecast, up to F6 and respectable wave height at CLV, they promised…we opted to delay. A phone call from those arriving in Guernsey reported an uneventful crossing and that it was mostly motor-sailing! Another 3 days until a favourable weather slot and then 4 more headed out. The wait was made more pleasurable by an impromptu barbeque chez Flamingo in Dittisham (Muriel and Jeremy, many thanks). The forecast was not impressive for the next week and that coupled with the lost time reduced the fleet.

The early leavers had moved on and made landfall at St Quay and also visited Dahouet while we lingered in Guernsey enjoying our stay for 3 days awaiting the next weather slot. A rally dinner had been booked at the Guernsey Yacht Club for the whole fleet and we must acknowledge the flexibility of the club who managed a complete refund despite the very late cancellation. We enjoyed excellent bar meals in club both on outward and return legs.

At last we rejoined 2 of the early 3 in Paimpol, unfortunately leaving Gerry on Cavatina in Guernsey with a recurrence of a back problem. We collected him on the return passage, by then he felt he should have been awarded citizenship. The French however were sharing our June weather! We passed 5 days in the port and had really good, if different, stay. Hospitality on every boat in turn and shared dining out at 2 local venues ensured we made the most of the time there. Despite reduced numbers Paimpol Port gave us a good discount. Coastal walks and bus rides as far afield as St Brieuc (well worth a visit) ensured there was plenty to do. Eventually a couple of boats ventured to Lezardrieux and up the Trieux river, one continued on to Roscoff as they had several weeks to sail. Others went for an anchorage on the west of Ile de Brehat but the westerly wind and sea late in the day moved them on to the shelter of Lezardrieux.

The following day did produce a window to return and we gathered around Cavatina back in Guernsey. Delayed again for a day by very dense early morning fog, however the fog dispersed and the day was a scorcher and there was entertainment all along the quay, a bonus. The following day all made safe landfall in UK after a very sociable and enjoyable 3 weeks that bore little resemblance to the plan. That’s sailing!!!

Thanks to all who signed up for their patience and understanding for the changes.

John and Gwendolyn Alker, Blue Star