Last few days.

Monday to Thursday 22nd of October.

The last few days of the trip now - we return to Plymouth on Friday morning then drive to Cornwall for the weekend - staying with Jackies daughter Fiona and family - returning to Derby on Monday.

The weather has changed a little now - cooler - more rain but sunny in between - nice.

Wash day - Monday - all went well - a big wash.

Tuesday - a lovely lunch on Isle Grande - mussels and chips again - wonderful.

Wednesday - out to sea - a bit windy but no problems - engine temperature was fine.

We were only out for an hour or so but I really enjoyed it.

Then lunch in our local restaurant that has been closed for three weeks - great.

Lots of sorting out - cleaning - fitting winter mooring ropes - packing.

We have to be at Rosscoff at 07.00 so we will be up at 04.00 on Friday to leave  Blazer in good shape.

I hope to return before Christmas if I can to continue with the jobs in progress.

Thanks for looking at our Blog - I will start it again on the next trip.

Mike and Jackie.

Lazy Sunday

Sunday 18th of October.

A lazy - restful sort of day today.

Jackie feeling a little bit better - but her teeth still not right - must book a dentist appointment for when we get home.

Overcast - dry - warm - sunny in the late afternoon.

I did some varnishing - top coating the wash boards and the cupboard door.

We sorted lockers out - throwing out food that was out of date - getting rid of clothes that we won't wear again - making a list of items to bring next time.

Jackie prepared the Sunday roast - chicken - and baked a really nice upside down cake using the pears we brought from home - just the job.

Good reception for the TV in the evening.

A good day all round.

Mike and Jackie.

Out And About.

Saturday. 17th October.

Raining and overcast today - miserable.

A lazy start today then off to Lannion to The Geant supermarket and Lidl.
We got more toys for the Charlie and Maddie - a chicken for Sunday roast + bits and bobs.
Coffee + cake at the sandwich bar was great value.

At Lidl I bought boxes of cheap wine to bring home - well most of it anyway.

After lunch back on board we pottered on board then the sun came out - the rain stopped - we went out for a walk on the Prom - lovely.

First stop - Bamou bar - then we noticed the upstairs bar next door was opening - it hasn't been open before - it has new owners this year - we went to have a look.

It's fabulous !!

All modern - champagne bar style - a great view out to sea.

Three rounds of cocktails / pints later we wobbled back to Blazer - great.

Mussels and chips on board for dinner - lovely - then good reception for Strictly in the evening.

A great day.

Mike and Jackie.

Perros market

Friday 16th of October.

Jackie still in some pain this morning but managing OK.

It was cooler this morning - an opportunity to light the coal stove - YIPPEE !!!
It got going easily and the saloon was lovely and warm when Jackie got up.

We checked the web and found a market that we have not been to yet - Perros Guirec.
Off we went but walking around the centre of town - no sign of it - must be at the marina.
No sign of it there either - back into town - I had a glimps of a barrier earlier and we walked to that area and found - the smallest market - eight stalls !!!

We bought mussels and a sack of onions ( 3kgs) in 5 minutes!

Driving back we fancied coffee so - off to Plumanache - our favourite restaurant on the beach.
We had a great coffee and then I suggested we have a really nice lunch - GREAT !!

We had to wait until 12.00 to order - no rush - this was going to take all afternoon.!

We had a bottle of Muscadet - Jackie ordered fish and chips - I ordered a mixture of seafood.

We were not disappointed - the fish and chips was fantastic - three big pieces of lightly battered fish cooked to perfection - just the job.

My meal was amazing - oysters, whelks, clams, winkles, big prawns, langoustines topped off with a whole crab.
On the side - mayonnaise and brown bread - perfect.

It took me an hour or more to devour every bit of it - wonderful.

Jackie finished off with Far Bretton with cream.

As we finished we heard English voices - two guys just leaving - Jackie asked if they had enjoyed their meal and we struck up conversation.

To cut a long story short - we invited them for a drink on Blazer.

I waited for them in the car park at the marina and they arrived in a beautiful yellow classic E type Jag.

Introductions - Derek Clark and Stafford.

They were on a Brittany ferries deal - Plymouth / Rosscoff + two nights hotel for £120 each.!!

We had a great chat + G&T's lovely in the afternoon sunshine.

The sky clouded over in the evening and it turned cooler - so I stoked up the fire - it was still burning from this morning and we had a cosy night watching Strictly - good reception this time- great.

Mike and Jackie.

Blazer Maintenance Day.

Thursday 15th of October.

Jackie is still waiting for the antibiotics to start working  - not feeling too good, but managing OK.

Jackie made the butternut squash soup with our new liquidiser - great.

Sorry about no photos recently - the last three posts are from the iPad and it's not easy to transfer photos from my camera to the iPad - the keyboard on the main computer has developed a fault and try as I might I can't fix it - new ones out here are expensive and mostly European layout - no good.

We got set up for varnishing again today for the second coat on the items we started a week ago - easy this time - just a light sand paper.

I got stuck into the overheating problem with the engine.

I removed all the engine covers and stripped the water pump and pipe work off.

Two reasons came to light straight away.

The water pump impeller had broken and the bit was blocking the pump outlet !!

The pipe work ( copper ) was part blocked by lime scale !!

That's 7 months neglect for you!!

I completely rebuilt the pump including new shaft seals, then boiled the pipe in de scaler solution - it shone!

All back together plus a new engine anode - tested - much better.

All this took all morning so I left the thermostat untouched for now - I did want to strip it and check it out - next time.

The cooling water flow is much stronger and the temperature normal now.

All cleaned up - shopping for a few food items - curry for dinner - intermittent TV in the evening.

Mike & Jackie.

Treguer market.

Wednesday 14th of October.

Jackie felt a tiny bit better after some sleep so we decided to go to Treguer market.

It is about half an hours drive through Lannion.

Treguer is a very old town ( the church is 1000 years old)
And the market is in two parts - half around the church in the middle of town and half down on the quay near the marina.

We bought a few bits and bobs and then headed for the fishmongers in town that has a restaurant upstairs.

A simple place - not at all fancy - just fresh seafood.
We shared a mixture of seafood -

Crab, prawns, langoustines, whelks, oysters, shrimps and winkles.
I was in heaven !!!

A coffee and cake for afters in a patisserie in town - lovely.

In the afternoon we drove further to Paimpol - a favourite of ours - we stopped there for 10 days on our sail to Trebeurden last year.

TV in the evening - good reception - great.
Mike and Jackie.

Mike and Jackie.

Toothache

Tuesday 13th of October

For the last few days Jackie has been complaining of jaw ache and on Monday night it got so bad she couldn't sleep - severe pain -
During the night I -
Found 3 dentists within a mile of the Marina on the web.
Found a flight home at 4 pm today - if we need it.
Found a ferry home on Friday if we need it.

I put together the plan -
At 9am ask the receptionist in the marina office, who speaks English, to ring the dentist and make an appointment.

It worked - the third one she tried could fit us in at 14.45 today - great.

We just rested on board all day then loaded the address into the iPad - Google maps - and found the place easily.

It was a small stone built building - not much like a dentist - but when we got inside - WOW.

The small reception area was very smart but no one there - after a minute or so the dentist came out mid way through an appointment - we were early.

We waited in a very posh waiting room for 10 minutes and then he called us into the clinic.
It was very modern - almost science fiction!!
The chair was light green and moved to a position ready for Jackie to sit down automatically.
It was surrounded by equipment that was all coordinated and included a computer screen suspended in mid air !!
He had a saddle type of stool in red.

He quickly understood the problem. - checked Jackies teeth - took two X-rays in a split second - the results were shown on the screen - job done WOW.

He moved to a black glass desk at the other side of the room that had designer everything!
He printed out a prescription for antibiotics and strong pain killers plus a form for us to reclaim the costs.
We expected it to cost an arm and a leg but we're very surprised when he asked fo just 23 Euros!
Amazing.
All done in 15 minutes - very slick.

We picked up the medication at the pharmacy again very reasonable 9 Euros.

The medication was slow to kick in but Jackie did manage some sleep on Tuesday night.

Mike and Jackie.

Busy day.

Monday 12th of October.

A big wash day today.
I dug out the washing machine and set it up in the cockpit like last Monday.
Jackie was on a mission - sheets - towels - clothes - even my old overalls went in.
A real production line.

We dried the bedding in the launderette tumble drier ( after I serviced it! - the filter was clogged solid)
The rest - we dried all over the outside of Blazer - a great day for it.

All done and put away in an hour!

Shopping locally then off to Tregestrel - coffee / pint in the posh bistro overlooking the beach -

Then Swimming.

The pool in Tregestrel is sea water - heated - and is very good.
They insist on everyone wearing bathing caps - a good thing.
We had a great time and some exercise.

A productive day.

Mike and Jackie.

Steady Day.

Sunday 11th of October.

Not a lot to report today -

I did all the cooking today - by way of giving Jackie a break.

A big cooked breakfast with Bacon Grill - great - Then on to a serious STEW !!

We found a 1 kg pack of rabbit at Lidl the other day and bought all the veg -

Carrots - small turnips - parsnips - leeks - cabbage - potatoes and onions.

I cut up the rabbit - browned it in oil - using my two gallon pan ( an ancient Prestige pressure cooker - but only used as a pan these days)

Seasoned with mixed herbs and two OXO'S - covered with boiling water and boiled for an hour.

Then all the veg in and cover with water and boil for another two hours at least.

Jackie topped it off with 4 dumplings just before serving at tea time.

Though I say so myself - Wonderfull !!

It lasted two days - its all I know how to cook.

mike and Jackie.

Boat Maintenance Day.

Saturday 10th of October.

A day of recovery from our late night.

We stayed on board all day - not a bad day - Dry - warm - calm but not too sunny.

I stripped various bits of wood work and sanded them up for varnishing -

Door boards and surround.
Engine cover.
Anchor bracket.
New cupboard door.
Flag pole
Outboard engine bracket.

Jackie varnished them in the cockpit - A production line.

I set up the sewing machine and sorted the frayed ensign flag ( it will last a bit longer).

Quite a lot of Marina activity today (weekend).

We caught up on TV - when the Internet worked.

Strictly live was very broken reception but Jackie got the Gist of it.

Mike & Jackie.

Out and About.

Friday 9th of October

A late start today - Sunny - Dry - Warm.

I searched the web and found that the nearest Aldi is a long way from Trebeurden but there are two Lidl shops within 20 minutes drive.

Ipad loaded with Google maps route - off we go.

We chose the one in Lannion and found it on a retail park in a part of the town we hadn't been to before.

A very big - new looking store - just like the English ones - but French stock of course.
Prices much better than our regular supermarkets and the quality good.

We bought a kilo of whole rabbit for 8 Euros - stew for Sunday dinner.
A drinkable French red wine at E 8.50 a gallon !! ( vin De France 2014)

We are  pleased that we can buy at better prices now - it will make our money go further.

Back on board Jackie heated up a ready made Paella for lunch ( not brilliant ) but we needed something to make up for a small meal tonight - Its FRIDAY - LE BENJI'S !!

We had reserved a Table for tonight and we arrived at 8 pm - the first to sit down to eat !
Jackie had a huge platter of mixed cheeses - ( all good ) with salad and some tasty but hard little bread sticks.
I had a platter of mixed meat - very good but they did include the Anduil  tripe roll - horrid !!
Salad - bread sticks and a bowl of sliced brown bread.

What we expected to be a light meal was huge.
Jackie finished off with Tart Tatin - lovely.

The 3 piece rock band set up behind me and started at 9pm -then they stopped at 9.30 for dinner !!

Benji had some help in the bar tonight but he was doing everything else including the cooking !!

The band finally got restarted at 10.30 - pretty good - English music mainly.
The place was fairly full but they kept on coming in until well after midnight !

When the band played one local favourite number the place rocked !!
Benji does his trick of dancing on the bar !!

A great night - We danced and danced until about 1 am !

                                              5 minutes walk to Blazer - No problem.

Another Great Day.

Out To Sea At Last !

Wednesday 8th Of October

The weather was perfect today - warm - sunny - calm - so checked the times of the marina gate opening --

12.10 to 21.00 - that's because its neap tides now - the gates stay open most of the time.

Engine checks - (gearbox oil level way down - Half a pint of oil added !!)
I know it leaks slowly - its 7 months since I checked it.

GPS double checked - good.

We cast off and reversed out of the berth slowly - not responding to the tiller very well.
A lot of weed on the hull and prop probably.
We managed the turn in a couple of shuffles and we were off !
First time out in a year!
I felt very rusty - nervous.
Over the sill and turn to Port in 2 metres of water under the keel.
The tide was against us and we were only moving slowly forward - so increased the engine to 3/4 power - then to full.
3 knots over the ground - not bad - engine temperature OK.

We followed our route - the main buoyed channel and out into the bay - then the engine alarm came on -
TEMPERATURE !!

I throttled back to 1/3rd power - alarm stopped - cooling water coming out of the exhaust as normal but steaming a lot - temperature up a bit but not boiling point.

CARRY ON - slowly.

We carried on way out into the bay and everything else was fine - Jackie put out her fishing line with two feathers on it - no joy.

We turned round after about an hour and followed the same route back in.

                                                           Millau Island - Trebeurden to the left

When we were back in the Marina we turned into the berth spot on and stopped just right.
I was very pleased with the first trip out.

The engine problem needs attention -
Water pump impeller to be renewed.
The water pipes roded through.
The thermostat housing - taken off and de rusted.
That will sort it out.

Jackie sunbathed in the afternoon sunshine and we watched TV all evening.

Great Day.

Exploring Locally.

Wednesday 7th of October

A fairly lazy morning - too late to go to Tregieur market - so we set off in sunshine for a drive to a couple of panoramic view points.

                                                            Point De Behit

                                                     View across the bay to Rosscoff

                                                           Our marina and local beach

We drove down to Beg Legure beach - very busy in the season - the restaurant on the beach - lucky if you can get a table - now all closed up.

We went into Lannion to the Geant  supermarket and got toys for Charlie and Maddie - Mussel pans to take home and topped up the wine cabinet.

Jackie sun bathing on board in the afternoon then a great dinner on board - Pork chops.

I tried and tried to get the TV working - NO JOY - so off to Benji's for an hour - Quiet.

Mike and Jackie.

A Gale in Trebeurden !!

Tuesday 6th of October

A grey - overcast and rainy day with a forecast of the wind building up to gale force in the afternoon and strongest in the night - dropping in the morning.

We have saved a trip to the heated sea water swimming bath at Tregestrel for a rainy day - this was it.
I suggested we swim then have a nice lunch in one of the restaurants near the pool.
GOOD IDEA.

Problem - 1

We arrived at the pool and were told that it was closed until 3 pm ! - this time of year.
Never mind - early lunch then.

Problem - 2

All the restaurants in the area had lights on but when we asked - closed !!
We tried them all in a bigger and bigger area until we went to Plumanache - BINGO.
The nice restaurant called Le Coste mor - right on the tiny beach was open and busy.
I checked it out because I was impressed with it when we had coffee there a week ago and thought eating there would be great.

YES IT WAS !

We ate in the outside patio area - tented with very posh plastic roller blinds and vertical plastic windows.
They had several gas heaters - very smart - a great atmosphere.

We ordered mussels and Frites - two recipes - Marinere for me Curry for Jackie.
A bottle of dry white Muscadet - perfect.

The rain lashed down - the wind blew hard but we were fine in the tent.

Lots of couples dinning and many of them ordering Mussels - a good sign.
They were really good - fresh bread with them - it took ages to eat them all.
The Frites (chips) were served in an individual tiny deep frying basket lined with what looked like newspaper - very effective.

Desert - Far Bretton with cream for Jackie - ( a pie of egg custard and Prunes ) and a Banana Split for me. - Fantastic.
Coffee after - perfect.

Despite the restaurants name - the bill was quite reasonable - A great solution to a rainy day.

Back on board ( No swimming after such a big meal ) - I fitted extra mooring lines and checked my neighbours boats - all OK.

In the evening we watched a Julia Roberts film - Notting Hill - great - as the gale built up outside.
We were snug and warm but it was alarming to hear the shrieking of the wind in the marina and the masts were swaying around violently.

I have a wind speed device at the top of the mast which gives speed and direction in the cockpit plus an instrument at the chart table that records the average wind speed over time. - sorry about the flash reflection but the photo shows an average of 25 knots (Force 6) and periods of over 40 knots (top end of a force 8)

We were fine all night apart from the tugging of the mooring lines every few seconds - I slept OK - Jackie struggled.
This morning - much better - 10 to 15 knots and no bouncing around.

That's Boating.

Mike and Jackie.

Big Clean Up Day

Monday 5th of October

A cooler day - Overcast with rain due in the afternoon and night.

Having invited our visitors for drinks and nibbles at 5 pm - we had better have the place clean and tidy.

First a de-clutter - binning stuff we won't use again.
Then a good sort out - putting stuff away.
Then finish off little jobs - like fitting a cupboard door - tidy.

Then being Monday - its ---

                                                            WASHDAY !!

I dug out the small plastic washing machine from the pilot berth so that Jackie could test it in the cockpit for the first time and see if it is worth keeping.

Its a twin tub and can take bedding no problem.
We filled it with hot water and in went the whites - a few minutes of agitation on the timer - then across into the spin drier - pumping the soapy water back into the washer.
Rinsing in the spin drier was by hose pipe and spray gun - easy.
Next - the towels  - then my fleece track suit.
All done in half an hour !! - like old times !

Jackie took all the washing up to the little Launderette and tumble dried them today - but on a fine day we can just hang them out on Blazer.

The conclusion - keep it - stow it better in the pilot berth and use it in the cockpit once per week and save a lot of money - the launderette is quite expensive - plus everything has to go in together.

We went shopping for nibbles and bread - plus a plastic table cloth decorated with chickens - we couldn't resist it.

I put the cockpit tent up - just as the rain started - perfect.

We watched cookery programmes on TV until our guests arrived and we enjoyed chatting about our sailing experiences for an hour or so - lovely.

A very productive day.

Mike and Jackie.

A Bit Of Fresh AIR

Sunday 4th of October

Sorry - No photos - (forgot the camera)

A cooked breakfast and off out - overcast but dry and warm.

We headed for the nature trail just outside Trebeurden - well maintained - a lot of decking boardwalk over the boggy bits - about a mile around.
Jackie picked the last of the blackberries - (not many)
There were loads of acorns on the ground and a few chestnuts but still green.

After the walk we drove to Perross  and had a nice coffee in the town centre.
Quite a few people about and even a fish shop open on Sunday !!

We drove down to the big tourist beach in Perross and walked the full length of the sea front and back.

When we got back to the marina I spotted an English visiting boat and went to say helllo.
It was a very - very posh 40 foot yacht, owned by Sue and Collin on thier way back to the UK from the Med.

I invited them to join us for a G & T on Monday at 5pm for a chat. - Great !

Back on board it started to rain so batten down the hatches and telly on - IT WORKED !!

Jackie excelled herself on our little gas cooker - a full chicken roast dinner with Stuffing - Yorkshire Pudding - roast and mashed potatoes - two veg and a blackberry and raspberry crumble for afters.

WONDERFUL !!

We watched The Great British Bake Off and the Strictly results show - lovely

A great Day.

Jackie and Mike.

A Recovery Day

Saturday 3rd October

A slow start after the night before - then not much to report - Jackie sunbathing / resting / reading in the hot sunshine.
Me pottering  -

I did attend to one job -

The night before we had a carbon monoxide alarm - low level - but a concern - I checked the cooker and turned off the battery charger + ventilated the boat.

I was unsure if the batteries had survived the 7 months - no charge - they seamed to come up to charge OK but kept charging at around 2.5 amps - not much for 4 big batteries 0.8 amps each  ( I thought ).
They normally taper off to 0.5 amps  or less.

I checked the pair under the pilot berth - THEY WERE HOT AND GASSING A LOT !!!
Batteries should never be hot - so switched to the small starter battery and checked electrolyte levels - OK.
Then checked each cell with the hydrometer and found two flat cells in each battery.
THEY ARE SHOT !! - but at least 5 years old - so not too bad.
I isolated that pair and ventilated all the hydrogen away while they cooled and stopped gassing.

Good job I checked - Hydrogen in quantity can be very explosive !!

I will check the other - newer pair in the cockpit locker tomorrow - a lot of stuff to move !!

I did another little job - I repaired my little lamp shade for the light house lamp at my side of the bedroom.
Poorly made - Held together by sticky tape.
I dug out my hot melt glue gun and tacked it together with shots of glue - then re fitted the tape - better than new !

Comfort food dinner tonight - Steak - mash & green beans.
Hot crepes with cherry jam / honey - lovely.

Our Internet connection was poor through the day and I realised it was Strictly day - I'm in trouble again !
I tried the TV app - It worked !!
Then I realised that in all the re shuffling of USB plugs the other day, I ended up with the Internet  dongle in the faster USB2 hub.

We managed 2 sessions of catch up and the full live broadcast - overdose !!
Still a poor picture and sound out of sinc - but Jackie managed.
I escaped to the bedroom reading - so not too bad.

Mike and Jackie.

Computer Trouble !

Friday 2nd October

We decided to have a trial run out to sea today - while the weather forecast was still fair.
I have had a week to check things out and get ready - so was Blazer all set - NO !!

I have done a few jobs on the computer which involved taking it out from behind the instrument panel.
When it goes back in - some of the USB plugs go back in different slots.
Most things are OK with this but not the navigation software - it has to learn what is in which slot.
I forgot to do that.
When I tried to do it - the GPS didn't give a good position.
Meanwhile Jackie was patiently waiting - all togged up in a life jacket - ready to cast off.

To cut a long story short - we didn't go after all !!
It took hours of messing about including a trip to Lannion to buy a long USB extension lead so that the USB dongle could be outside the cabin.

Now its good - in fact a big improvement !! - a great contact with 11 satellites and a strong position for the NAV software. ( it knows where we are now).

While we were in Lannion - we shopped at the big Geant supermarket and bought some lovely food.
We finally found a small fresh chicken at a reasonable price for Sunday lunch !

Back in Sheffield - the letting agents have pulled out all the stops and the new tenants have paid up and moved in !! - A BIG DAY FOR ME.

Back on Blazer - Jackie cooked mussels and Frites in a white wine sauce for dinner.
Ingredients- 1/3rd of a bottle of dry white wine - apparently a rule in France says the chef has to drink the rest of the bottle !
Onions, Garlic, Cream and a teaspoon of mild curry powder - very nice.
I cleaned the mussels - sat out in the sunshine - helping Jackie finish the wine.
Out came our special moulle / frites plates + lots of fresh bread - WONDERFUL.

After dinner we got dressed in our best outfits and off to Le Benjis !!
We arrived about 8 pm - almost empty ! - no band on tonight but there will be one next Friday.

The owner / barman /chef / DJ - Benji - greets us by our first names - knows our drinks order and makes us feel welcome - non of our local pubs in Derby do that and we haven't been here for half a year !!

We also met my friend that owns the high class Deli / wine shop in the village - he was delivering a barrow load of wine.

Just we decided to go back to Blazer at about 10.30 - the locals poured in - the dance floor filled up - we joined them and danced the night away !!
Its mainly English rock music from our era - just the job.
My new hip performed like magic - I haven't danced like that in years - Great.
The downside was - too many drinks !! - A good size hangover in the morning.
Will we ever learn - NO.

A great day all round.

Mike and Jackie.

Lannion Market

Thursday 1st October

Yet another clear sky sunny day - cooler.

 A relatively early start - we drove into Lannion (15 minutes) parked by the river and strolled around this huge sprawling market.

Jackie bought some earrings.

There were lots of people buying to say that all the tourists  have gone now.

A stall of local oysters.

We tried -
Fish and chips - lovely.
A savoury pancake with a cheese and onion filling - nice.

We bought -
A very expensive Butternut Squash 7.50 Euros !! - for soup when it turns colder.
A kilo of local Mussels - live.
A huge crab - live !!

Back on board Jackie chilled out in the cockpit - I fitted hinges to a cupboard door ready for hanging - I need to sort out a good catch to hold it closed - it is a drop down door I made in Derby.

I dug out Blazers Crab / Lobster big boiling pan - (two gallons) and boiled the crab for 20 minutes.
I let it cool in fresh cold water / changed twice - ready for an early dinner.
Jackie dose not like dressing her crab so I did all the preparation - a great - meaty crab.
We have all the sea food tools on board as you can imagine.
A glass of cool Sauvignon Blanc - French bread and butter .
I was in heaven and Jackie said it was the most enjoyable crab she had ever had.

The Internet was fairly fast but not enough for TV - so an early night to catch up after our party the night before.
 Mike and Jackie.

Pottering Locally.

Wednesday 30th September

Another fine / warm but windy day - lovely.

We chose not to go to the Tregeiere market today - I cooked a hearty breakfast then Jackie sunbathed in the cockpit and read while I started a little job.

Zoie kindly gave me a danforth style anchor - of a good size for a stern anchor.
I removed the small fisherman anchor that was strapped to the pushpit rails and stowed it in the locker.
I had brought an article that I had seen in a magazine that showed how to make a simple bracket to mount a danforth anchor. I also brought out a nice piece of meranti board to make the mount.
A quick measure up - mark out - and cut to size ( all the hand saws that I have and I end up using a rusty one !!) then glued and screwed - it fits perfectly.
A first coat of decking oil and the anchor put in place - looks good.
I will try and think of a good way to clip the stem of the anchor to the pushpit rail - tie wraps will do for now.

Low tide today about 3 pm so off to the cockle / clam picking spot.
We were very productive - we worked hard as a team and filled our basket just as the tide started to rush back in.
Walking back - Jackie tried a deep hole where a big jet of water came from - Bingo !! she hit something - I dug out an enormous clam about 5 inches across !!

A little further on Jackie tried again and dug out a razor clam easilly. !!

We picked up bread / wine and some big prawns on offer at our local supermarket then back on board for a feast.

As soon as we got back I checked my phone and got a message from the letting agent -
THE HOUSE IS NOW LET !!!!
The American family signed up earlier in the day after hard negotiation with the agent ( I gave her permission)

We are so pleased - the fizz came out - PARTY NIGHT !!!

A GREAT DAY

Mike and Jackie.

Beach Day

Tuesday 29th September

A bright and windy day  - cooler - off to the local supermarket for bits and bobs then on to Tregastel - to the new beach.

Another spring tide day - so ultra low tide while we were there

Jackie made a packed lunch and as soon as we unwrapped it  - two baby seagulls pineing for tit bits.

It was quite cold in the wind while we were sat there but it didnt stop one lady donning her bikini and swimming / walking the sea - her daily exercise.

After an hour or so we packed up and set off on the cliff top walk that seamed popular.

We followed the path uphill and around the headland to find our favourite spot right there - Tregestral beach with the swimming pool and restaurants !!
The new beach was not as isolated as we thought.

Low tide brought out the locals in force with shrimping nets.
They poked about in the seaweed at the edge of the bay for ages - they must be catching something !

On the drive back to the marina we decided to take a side trip to Landrellec - I felt sure we had been before but no - A new place - on our doorstep !

A launching ramp - lots of  moored local boats plus oyster and mussel beds commercially farmed.

I admire the skill of the local skippers negotiating the channel into this mooring - there are millions of jagged rocks - like the surface of the moon - not for the feint hearted !!

Jackie sunbathing in her sun trap on board - me pottering with odd jobs - G & T plus a great fish pie to use up two more tins from the mountain onboard. - lovely.

There was a viewing of the house in Sheffield on Friday - the family from Wisconsin loved it - but tried to negotiate £100 per month off the rent - we agreed to £50 - then it has all gone quiet - they were looking at loads of properties over the weekend !
No viewings booked at the moment - I will keep the preasure on Saxton Mee.

Mike and Jackie.

Brittany At It's Best

Monday 28th September

A lovely warm sunny morning so off to Tregastel weekly market.

We spotted our favourite veg stall with tomatoes of all shapes and colours at reasonable prices.
They also had sacks of onions - 3 kgs for 5 euros - ideal size for pickling - we will pick some up before we leave for home.

We bought Oysters, Hard cured sausage and fresh brioche bread.
Coffee at the Boulangerie.
After the market we explored a side street that had a sign for a view point and found a great beach.

We found this beach being used by locals for exercise - wading in deep water back and forth across the bay - lots of them ! - all in wet suits.
No pebbles ( Trebeurden beach is covered in pebbles) and great views.
We must have a half day there soon.

Back on board - Oysters for me and Pate + Camembert cheese for Jackie - with a glass of Sauvingnon blanc - PERFECT !!

It was very low tide again - so off to the local beach near the marina to dig up clams.

There were scores of locals digging - with better tools than we had - big buckets full.
We managed to work out a reasonable technique and came away with about a kilo of mixed size cockles and clams.

Washed and cooked - a perfect starter for dinner.

We entertained a neighbour ( Bernard ) in the marina before dinner - his English was very good.

The TV proved to be no good tonight - a very slow Internet connection - no problem.

A Great Day.

Mike and Jackie

A Lazy Day In the Sunshine.

Sunday - 27th September.

A Heavy Duty Breakfast in the cockpit set us up for the day - Too big really, but we love bacon grill.

Jackie tested the on board shower and new toilet set up - success !!!

Jackie started off a big pot in the oven with an ALDI  beef Brisket joint surrounded by veg - slow cooked.

Two lines of hand washing out and then off to the beach - WOW what a low tide !! ( the equinox )

This area is hosting an art weekend and the locals turned out in force to participate - very good.

The exhibits for Trebeurden were on the prom and beach and were set up to float when the tide came in.

I fell asleep in the beach chair - it was so warm and sunny.

Back on board I tidied up the cockpit locker a bit and found room for the spare engine oil I brought out.

Then I removed all the heavy duty mooring lines that had been on all winter and looked battered and scruffy.
I fitted our posh black lines that we keep for best to dress Blazer up a bit. - NICE.

G&T's before a big Sunday dinner complete with dumplings all in hot sunshine. - WONDERFUL.

A long walk along the prom to the far end - it was packed with locals !!

The internet TV worked again for the antiques road show and country file - just the job.

All for now - Mike and Jackie.

Getting Sorted

Saturday 26th September

We are settling in well now - the weather is still warm - no heating needed so far - cloudy mornings and warm or hot afternoons.

we are lucky that our cockpit faces west and it catches the best of the sunshine in the afternoon.

Jackie actually had enough sun today and retreated below before dinner - TOO HOT !!

A busy day today.

My main job is to get BBC TV for Jackie to see Strictly Come dancing and various other programmes because I promised that they would be available here - THEY ARE NOT !!

Yesterday I tried -

Both ipads - little or no reception on Blazer - disconnecting constantly.

The on board computer - poor Internet connection and trouble using BBC i Player.

After dinner we went to Le Benjis for a drink and found the connection to the Internet was great but no BBC could be found apart from You Tube with some out of date short recordings.

I considered buying a satellite dish, but on a boat that bobs about - no good.

Then the penny dropped !!

BBC make it so that their programmes can't be seen overseas without them making some money out of it - 

even on the Internet.

First - I set up the big booster Ariel - bolted to the handrails pointing directly at the wifi transmitter.

For the first time since I bought it a few years ago it worked really well - The signal went from very poor to excellent !!!

Then I found a website that gets around the problem but you have to pay them - £10 per month - Not bad when you were as desperate as I was.

IT WORKS !!!

With an hour to spare we tested it out with Catchphrase - A bit disjointed - the sound is out of sinc with the film but overall - use able. - Jackie was happy with it.

Other jobs today.

We cleaned Blazer up today - washed the deck and all the topsides + scrubbing + cream cleaner.

I wire brushed and washed at the same time  the teak toe rail around the edge of the deck and cleaned off algae and flaking varnish - like new now !!

I made up some hot oxalic acid solution and sprayed it on the deck woodwork and various areas that had algae - it should get rid of it gradually then I will rinse it off.

Jackie cooked up Ham Carbonara with pasta for tea - lovely with fresh baguette.

We are determined to reduce our mountain of tinned food this trip - we have enough to open a shop - and lots of it is approaching the use by date.

Traditional Sunday roast tomorrow.

I Did check out the engine yesterday - Dry - no prop shaft seal leaks ! - Not much oil had leaked - I now put absorbent pads under the engine to soak up leaks - much better.

It fired up straight away - no churning - after 7 months stood idle - WOW !! - not bad for 35 years old.

I ran the prop and loads of green stuff came off the hull and prop - masses of it !!

I must lift out this winter and clean the hull  - plus anti foul paint.

The rudder and waterline are clean - the local mullet fish eat the weed that grows there !!

A busy but productive day.

Re-Start the BLOG.

The Story So Far.

Friday 25th September 2015

Since June 2014 lots of water has passed under the bridge -

Blazer is still in Trebeurden !!

I have a new left hip joint - ( March 18th 2015 ) - great success - no pain now !!

My house in Sheffield has been renovated ( virtually rebuilt inside - all my own work ) and has been handed over to the letting agent - ( four days before we left !! ) - Saxton Mee - to manage tenants ongoing. - ( non yet - viewing today )
You can look - www.saxtonmee.co.uk
Look for rentals in area S7
The house is at - 23 Adelaide Road.

I have visited Blazer on two or three trips with the car via Caen and completed a lot of work. -

All the floor boards have been stripped and re-varnished.
Hot and cold taps installed at the sink near the toilet.
A shower installed in the toilet - with pumped drain to overboard.
A 7 gallon holding tank fitted in the toilet cupboard with a bi-pass pipe and two valves so that pee goes directly into the sea and poo goes into the tank for offshore disposal.
The brass fire surround was corroding badly with sea water drips so was replaced with ceramic tiles.
Lighting improved in the forward bedroom with two lighthouse table lamps mounted on corner shelves.
A small twin tub washing machine has been shoe horned into the far end of the pilot berth ready to be piped up and an access hatch installed in the cockpit coaming.

This Trip

We arrived in Trebeurden  on Wednesday morning after travelling via the Plymouth / Roscoff  ferry in Jackies car. A great run down to Plymouth in light traffic with the Renault Modus giving 74 miles to the gallon WOW.
A sunny evening - fish and chips in a marina cafe while waiting for the 10pm sailing.
A nice clean two berth cabin allowed some sleep and we docked at 08.00 French time.
90 minutes drive saw us in Trebeurden and Blazer checked out not too bad after 7 months of neglect !!!
She is a bit scruffy with mildew - the computer is taking a bit of getting going but overall she is in great shape.
I last visited a few days before my hip operation - to repair storm damage - a bow fair lead had torn off - I was alerted by my neighbour Jean Piere via email. I also fitted a centre pontoon cleat and roped Blazer much better. It really must get rough here in an Easterly gale at high water springs.
Jackie managed to catch some sun bathing in the cockpit sun trap with compulsary G&T's
Shopping and a huge home made lamb Rogan Josh curry on Wednesday evening.

Thursday24th

We drove to Ploumanach beach and walked around the headland with coffee in the restaurant overlooking the beach  - Great.

We drove to Perrous Gorec and walked around the marina to check on Solana - a friends boat - no problems - I will report via email.

More shopping in a big supermarket in Lannion - Leclerc - not brilliant - we will revert to the big Geant supermarket in future.

Jackie sunbathing again in the cockpit while I pottered around.

Several tries at starting up the on board computer got it going but the internet connection is very poor.
I have got to sort out a way for Jackie to watch Strictly tomorrow.

Home made beef pie with all the veg and home made apple turnover for desert - fantastic.

A great Day !