We were planning a leisurely morning in La Flotte and to meet friends for. Dungarvan for brunch until I looked at the depth under the boat and the projected drop in the tide and decided to make a sharp exit. The winds were relatively light and as in Ireland at the moment were persistently NW so there was a lot of motoring upwind and the cold weather gear came out of the bag, at least, the jackets.
We were headed for Bourgenay but en route I noticed that Copperwynd, a Cork boat owned by a colleague was moored at Quai Garnier at Les Sables d’Olonne. A quick phone call later, dinner reservations were made and we adjusted course to revisit Les Sables for the night. We had a lovely meal and back on Copperwynd the guitars came out and a late night was had, with lots of craic.
The next morning we left mid morning, making for Ile d’Yeu again. Again NW winds made it very difficult to get a line on the island and ultimately a seasick wife meant that the headsail came in and we motored into Port Joinville. The approach was tricky this time, as the marina was crowded and we had to raft, necessitating a retreat to get the lines and fenders onto the other side and reverse in.
My dodger was parting at the seams and every time I went on deck I was making it worse by using it as a handhold. Some surgical suturing was required. Laundry also had to be done and we needed a few bits and bobs at the chandlery so Port Joinville as before, ticked all of these boxes.
The next day was forecast to climb from 19 degrees to 30 degrees so we decided to stay put for a few days to get jobs done and then to cycle around the island.
Post Script:
One thing I had begun to notice here was a few boats flying Irish flags, sailed by English people, who were availing of the freedom to travel afforded by an Irish passport/ boat registration.
In Port Joinville there were 2 northern Irish boats with GB flags but flying Irish tricolours on the port side, presumably indicating that they had Irish passports, again for the same reason. Vivre Le Brexit!j
