La Rochelle to Gijon - Biscay Crossing

Since we bought Askari crossing Biscay has been on our mind, the forecast was for good winds from the north on Sunday and then easing with low swell and seriously hot - so we decided we'd take that rather than wait for better winds given the chance that the swell would pick up and that was our major concern -  the water depth shelves from 4000 metres to 100 in 30 miles (Australian's think Bass Straight).

In Biscay the weather is determined by where the 'Azores High' sits in relation to low pressure over Spain, so variations are also common so having a good forecast and a shortish crossing was good. We set a course for Gijon, 260 miles, with longer and shorter options in mind.

As it happened the wind was pretty fickle and we tried to coax it into playing with us. We had many different sail configurations during the day on Sunday, but the only answer was motor sail in the end all day on Tuesday. We had a great and relaxing crossing, a warm night with few ships, lots of dolphins, a whale and even a turtle pass by. We arrived at 8.30pm on Monday evening but it being Spain still managed to get Askari checked in, have a shower and then go out for dinner.

Sailing out into Biscay past Ile D'Oleron

Ile D'Oleron

Poled out in Biscay

Yay Dolphins

Is this really Biscay??

Sunset Cruise in Biscay

Happy for a warm night watch

Sunset in Biscay

Monday - motor sailing in Biscay

Spanish Coast with the Pico's behind - there was snow but it was shrouded in mist!

Gijon

Our new home for a few days - Gijon, we can't pronounce it but are going to explore the Pico's and eat alot of tapas!

La Rochelle

The weekend after Andrew and I met, I spent the weekend sailing out of La Rochelle with my parents and spent most of the time texting Andrew, so was very excited to show him this gorgeous city that I associate with him but that he hadn't been to. It is a major sailing place and very touristy but so beautiful - highly recommended. However, we hadn't bargained for the festival that was on this weekend - first weekend of summer in France! Wow it was so busy and the Francofolies concert played til after we slept every night..... still we loved La Rochelle.....

Old Port 

Gate to the city

Fifteenth century market

Market

Beautiful buildings

Canal in town

Partying in La Rochelle

Packed Quay

Such a big marina - Askari is 250 boats from the left

New walkway at the Marina Minimes

The Famous Towers - sadly flags flying half mast for Nice

La Rochelle

Minimes Beach - just near the marina

Andrew in Minimes

Just a few boats on the water

We did some exploring, I hit the sales in a big way - huge discounts so a great chance to update my summer wardrobe and replace lost sunnies......

Then despite a free night in the marina we decided to head out into Biscay on Sunday morning. This was because there was wind on Sunday and then none forecast until it turned the wrong direction. So our prep for what is supposed to be a challenging trip was rushed but we finally got Askari ready about 9pm and headed out for a beach meal - our last in France (but don't worry the freezer is stocked with Pain au Raisin and there's plenty of wine aboard!!).

Ile D'Yeu to Ile de Re

We left our snug berth at Port Joinville, Ile D'Yeu at high water / after a few coffees after the big night.... If only we had go up a bit earlier we would have noticed just how covered in firework shrapnel Askari was - so we spent the first hour of the sail emptying our water tank to wash disgusting red debris off our girl - we felt a bit bad!

The trip to Ile de Re, just off La Rochelle was 60 miles and we had great wind although it was pretty windy when the sea breeze kicked in too and we headed down the channel between Ile De Re and the main land.

Leisurely sail in the morning

Relaxing after a few sail changes

Quite a sea of St Martin de Re

We have a rule and that is we don't sail where there's kite surfers - hmmmm we had a kite surfers all around us at Ile de Re and then these awful jelly fish - the size and shape of heads floating in the water - so many of them!

Sails away and under the Re bridge

Our anchorage on Ile de Re

We spent the night anchored on the south of Ile de Re and watch the fireworks, only next day did we hear about the awful events in Nice at the same time - just sickening!

We had a leisurely morning and then headed into La Rochelle, which was a bit like driving against the traffic on the M25. Menemes marina the only one which would take us has about 5000 berths and I think nearly half of these boats were heading out for a sail on this gorgeous Friday!

Heading into La Rochelle

Heading to La Rochelle

Ile D'Yeu - National Day (Bastille Day)

We spent a lovely few days in Ile D'Yeu - Andrew got the most expensive haircut that nearly involved him getting a shaved head when he asked for a number 3 - in France that is 3mm. The girls in the shop quite enjoyed his visit..... The national day celebrations were a highlight; in Ile D'Yeu the party is on 13th July and the bars open all night to see in the national day, there's food stalls, music and of course fireworks.

Carolyn had bought some more fabric in a local store that day and got chatting to the shop assistant, then it happened that she and her husband were in the same bar later that night. Francine remembered we were on a sail boat heading to Australia and was very excited to introduce us to her husband and then the local radio DJ who dropped in too (he promised to mention us the next day but we couldn't remember the station number....). We also met up with the bar man from Andrew's fav little bar - so funny we had only been there a few days and it seemed like we were local.  It ended up being one of those bizarre nights; we ate gorgeous food and listened to a Rolling Stones cover band in French, watched fireworks and then got back to Askari at some time in the early hours. Carolyn missing her fav pair of Tiffany sun glasses - ooops!

Meeting Ile D'Yeu Personalities

A French Mick Jagger

We learned a few things about Ile D'Yeu - it is most definitely a pirate island. We heard stories of how  all the local families used to light fires to draw ships onto the rocks so they could steel the cargo - they are strangely quite proud of this heritage. The locals also eat Dolphin meat - we understand this is only when caught as a bi-catch, but even so we couldn't quite get our head around this!

We collected the new cockpit cushions made by the fabulous La Voilerie Ile D'Yeu and then headed to Ile de Re - just off La Rochelle next day....

Stylish New Cockpit Cushions from Ile D'Yeu

Ile D'Yeu - Port Joinville

We had a lovely night at Ile Houat but good winds were predicted to be good next day so we got up early and set sail South towards Ile D'Yeu - this was another of Carolyn's picks as it is famous for Tuna and cycling around the island.

We had a bit of a motor sail and then the wind picked up for a lovely gentle sail - Andrew did some fishing thinking maybe we could get our own tuna but no luck! Carolyn made carrot cake - yum!

We were not sure if we could get in the harbour, which is quite small and would not take bookings, although I called and let them know we were big and were on our way! Anchoring wasn't an option as the swell was due to pick up so if we couldn't get in we would have to sail on somewhere else so we wanted to try and get in as early as the tide would allow.

We sailed to the entrance, got everything ready and made sure no ferries were coming out before gingerly making our way in. It sure was shallow; we only had 20cm under our keel! The harbour master met us and said they had a spot for us but wow it was tight and required a very sharp turn with alot of bow thruster - I think the bloke on the boat in the next berth was a bit worried but he need not have been as Andrew did a great job and all the people on the boats opposite came to help take our lines (that's the great thing about these harbours that are full of visiting yachts - people are around on their boats and always come to help - I had forgotten that about Europe).

Approaching Port Joinville

Ile D'Yeu is perfect and Port Joinville is a refreshing mix of fishing boats and upscale tourist resort - I think most of the houses on the island are holiday homes. There are gorgeous shops and fabulous restaurants. We decided we liked it here very quickly; so decided to chill out and spend a few days.

Port Joinville

We rented bikes and explored the island, we have had some lovely food, done a few boat jobs and watched the European football championships as France supporters in the streets. Tomorrow will be the Bastille Day celebrations and everyone says it's going to be great fun. We are also having a local lady make us some more cushions for the cockpit - the fabrics in this part of France have become a bit of an obsession for one of us onboard.....

Football fever

We decided to leave at this point after the football

Famous Fish Shop

Askari in the distance....