8th September

8th September
Left our anchorage off Cap de La Chevre heading for Audierne. This route took us through the infamous Raz de Sein - timing here is crucial!! There is a half hour window of slack water at the top and/or bottom of each tide. This is the only time toi go through the Raz as tides run at 6knots round this corner and rough seas build very quickly. We approached for the slack water window at low tide. The seas in the approach were a long rolling swell; winds were light; warm; patchy cloud. The headland is so impressive with rocky cliffs and jagged ridges. Isles de Sein lies offshore and could be seen clearly. WE knew that we had our timing right because about 6 other yachts wee passing throughat the same time!! We motor sailed past La Vielle and La Platte without any difficulty. The tide began to set against us and waves started to build around the rocks…but we were well clear by then!
Once we were round the Raz we weree able to bear off the wind - the rest of the afternoon was a beautiful sail in lovely warm sunshine. The rugged coastline soon changed to rolling dunes and heatrh dotted with pretty white houses. Paul tried the mackerel lines - but no luck.
By 5p.m. we turned into Audierne and moored in the marina.
By the way…
The pilot book suggested an anchorage where you could wait before going through the Raz - it
was called the Anse de Trespasses - we then found out that this does not mean Trespassers but Departed - the bodies from the wrecks in the Raz were washed up there…pass!!!