This day will be an interesting day. The wind will build up to a gale during the weekend and we decide to do the major part of the distance today.

There is only one opening of the bridge at 8:30 and we manage to get fresh meat and bread before that and slip through just before closing time. The tide is shooting us out from Vannes through the Gulfe du Morbihan and the water gets wild in some places. A good security distance is good when the boats dance. It looks weird – sailing boats coming in high speed sideways on open water. Like running in a wide rapid.

We pass the entrance and set sail. The first planned stop is Ile Houat where we should stop for brunch and a swim. The weather does not look too inviting but as usual, everything sorts out. The sun comes out just as we drop the sails in the bay. We drop the anchor in about three meter depth and jump into the water. Tastes great with fresh meat Burgers after the swim looking out on the wide sand beach. To top it off – we open the last Isle of Wight Blue that I was recommended by Rocky at Quay Fifteen. It should be at its best just before it is out of date. It was a good decision; the cheese is extremely ripe and creamy.

As we go east, we go close to the sister island Ile de Hoedic and salute another Lagoon – this time the new 39. First time I see this successor to the 380 at sail.

The wind and the waves grow as we approach Ile de Noirmoutier. This is the first time in Biscay for the crew members and it seems they like sitting in the net enjoying the scene. We glide into the big L’Herbaudiere marina at High Water.

The crew bounces off, pay the harbour fee and buy more food for the week as I collect the sail and the lines. We celebrate this day with a glass of champagne in the boat before we head to a seafood restaurant in the harbour. Going back to the boat, we slip into a bar and look out on the marina. Here we start talking to a woman from Paris that is retired and lives here in the summer. She tells us a lot on the place and promise us to show the town the day after. Always interesting to meet local people that can give you more information.