Please share the key cruising routes and hidden gems from your chosen region.
My favourite cruising ground is southern Brittany. It’s only a three-day passage away and when you get there you have access to marvellous sailing, scenery and food, not to forget the wine! The Golfe du Morbihan is a special favourite.
What are your key navigation tips, seasonal considerations, and challenges for this region?
Reliable forecasting of a reasonably settled period seems to me to be key and is more likely in late May than earlier in the year. This is important for the passage from Ireland. The main challenge sailing down to Brittany from the East coast of Ireland is the passage through the Raz de Sein, where it is important to go through with the tide and if there is a good breeze it’s best to do so at slack water, which can be hard to time correctly if you’ve taken your departure from the Tuskar several days earlier. Entry to the Morbihan is also tide constrained. This year we went in at Springs with 11 knots of tide under us!
What are the highlights of local culture, wildlife, and must-see landmarks?
Another favourite place is Port Tudy on Ile de Groix. There you may encounter the Breton bagpipes, and the Café de la Jetée has an especially warm welcome for RIYC members and serves Clew Bay born oysters. Orca have been seen recently off the coast and are to be avoided. The outstanding landmarks are the lighthouses and headlands.
Having been into La Trinité sur Mer many times, this year we took the little local tourist “train” that drives around the town and its environs. This took us past the thousands of menhirs at nearby Carnac. Well worth seeing and too far for most sailors to walk, so when the opportunity arises- take the train!
Any personal stories of adventure, overcoming challenges, and standout experiences you would like to share?
Well, we left for Brittany too early this year, at the beginning of May, making our departure from Bantry Bay, with a good forecast, although we encountered headwinds from the start rather than what was anticipated. We were heading for Benodet but as the wind increased to over 40 knots on the nose ended up going in to Camaret, four days out from Ireland. Luckily the harbourmaster read our situation well and gave us an easy entry berth on a hammerhead. Anything more demanding might have resulted in an interesting arrival!
Finally can you share any advice for both novice and seasoned cruisers?
The old armed services adage applies with spades, namely all the “P’s” - Proper Preparation Prevents P*ss Poor Performance!