Inland voyages
PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Wed 2 Jul 2008 06:20
Our sojourn up the Vilaine River was really good. Being moored in a narrow
and shallow river amongst corn fields and cows, was a complete contrast to
either the rugged Atlantic coast of Spain or the sandy islands of the
Charente-Maritime coast. Unfortunately, I picked the one spot in France
without a restaurant for our wedding anniversary. And the mooring only cost
7€ ! Fortunately Hilary retained both her cooking skills and her sense
of humour.
Coming down the river the next day, we stopped in the marina at Arzal, just
above the barrage. Then it was a question of squeezing into the lock with 20
other boats, and much encouragement from the lock-keeper, before being
released back into salt water and the open sea of the Golfe du Morbihan. But
not for long, as we carried the same tide into the Morbihan itself and right
up into the bosom of Vannes.
Our first day in Vannes was spent at 'Outpatients' in the hospital, as a
blister on my toe had become infected and not healed for 4 weeks. The French
medicos were very good, and seem to have kick-started the repair process.
With our E111 cards, the consultation, treatment and an x-ray only cost us
14€ !
The next couple of days were spent exploring and pottering and bike-riding.
The highlight of our stay was being invited aboard 'Gentle Rush', berthed
astern
of us. She is an Endurance 50, which Steve and Ellie have been building from
a bare hull (as well as renovating a Welsh farmhouse) - and what a fantastic
job they have made of it! Since renting out their house they have spent the
last 10 months over-wintering in Vannes whilst they have completed the
fit-out, and now they are off to the Med - next stop Sardinia.
Today it is raining for the first time in 3 weeks. later on we are leaving
to go 'island-hopping'.
