The UK was being battered by storm Ashley and we sat in Crouesty twiddling our thumbs making up things to do and walking, a lot!. We’d used up our two free days and then cashed in a load of points for another, we then paid for two more and used up another free day to sit it out. As the storm continued many local boats returned home and so we poor visitors were being turfed out of their ‘guest’ accommodation. On our last day we were made to move 3 times within the marina so we decided to leave early the next morning and make a run for home.
We got up at first light much to the annoyance of the guy rafted outside of us and headed west. With a handkerchief of foresail and a sloppy sea behind we averaged 6 knots and despite a falling tide we made it round the last bend of the Vilaine and settled on the waiting pontoon for a free night.
The next morning, we woke at 8am and saw the dreaded lock was open, the light was green, and the chamber was empty. Despite feeling rather rusty from an evening of entertainment with Dave & Rebecca, we decided to take advantage of the situation. We were the only boat to be lifted and there we were, back in Arzal.
Storm Ashley had a second wave and so we went as far up river as possible to sit it out and so brings an end to an uneventful (ish) 2025 season.
21st August – 1st September 2025
Trip Mileage 31 miles
Mileage Completed 2586 miles