After a well earned full nights sleep (after a few pints) we were up for Café au Laît and croissants in Port Joinville followed by a trip to the local chandlery for a few bits and pieces. The marina which had been packed solid the night before was now relatively empty. The sun was shining, and there was a lovely warm breeze from the WSW. We flew the spinnaker for a while and Gareth sat at the bow with the kite flying while reading a book and Peter was sunbathing on deck as the water went by. After a lovely sail slightly in the wrong direction we had to head dead downwind to get a line on Les Sables d’Olonne.
We headed to the Port Olona marina and after some confusion about berths and navigating a 1-2kn current we were alongside. The marina was a boat lovers dream with lots of racing boats for the Vendee Globe literally with the plastic wrapping still on! There was also an Imoca class foiling yacht (www.imoca.org/en/boats/la-mie-c-line). Our own pontoon had some of the new Ovni 40+ boats and a Sirius 40 which was a really fine boat.
Boatporn complete and after some lovely tuna steaks cooked with pasta sauce by Peter, we headed out on the town. The #6 pub in Les Sables was Les Guine’s Pub, with a vaguely Irish theme and they were delighted to have some bona fide Irish people in the pub. The waterfront was packed with a great atmosphere. After a brief stop at Molly Malone’s, it was back to the boat, ready for the final leg to La Rochelle the next morning.
