Time was pressing, Île d’Yeu was next. What was normally a simple journey from l’Herbaudiere, was interrupted by numerous radio instructions from an armada of patrol ships which were protecting cable laying vessels out to a new wind farm.
What was amusing was those of us who called up were given simple instructions which resulted in a small deviation to our intended course. Those who didn’t call up were chased out of the area and sent on miles long detours.
Port Joinville, Île d’Yeu was as busy as always and it seemed we’d arrived in the middle of ‘the festival of flowers’ which predominantly consisted of all the locals dressing up in bizarre freakish costumes from ghosts to fish. The parade passes through the harbour whilst the entertainers blow bubbles and confetti at spectators with not a flower in sight! The party went on all night as sadly did the rain.
We were ultimately aiming for La Rochelle, our chosen launch point for Spain, but it would be a crime not to visit Les Sables d’Olonne en route. Mrs Cracknell did a marvellous job of navigation and pilotage into this harbour, which due to wrecks, shallows and tidal heights is not the easiest for a first timer. As a break from the norm Mrs C managed to pass the boutique shops without a cheeky purchase however Mr Cracknell couldn’t resist a very smart 2024 Vendee Globe jacket.
21st May 202
Trip Mileage 25 miles
Mileage Completed 2166 miles