Gilbert Park crosses the Channel for a storm-dodging fortnight of food, wine and fun
Having brought our Nimbus 365 (Let’s Go) back to the UK from France after Brexit H and Covid-19, we were keen to take advantage of our new location on the south coast and head across the Channel to Brittany. We blocked two weeks off at the end of June and when the day came, we decided to start very gently – staying overnight in Trafalgar Wharf (where the boat is kept on a Drystack) and having dinner in nearby Porchester.
The plan, if the sea was smooth and gentle, was to go to St Peter Port. If not, we’d take the shorter leg to Cherbourg. But when the morning came, the skies were sunny, bright and windless, so we headed straight for St Peter Port, arriving at 1600 on the Friday. We knew we would have to wait on the walkashore pontoon until the sill was covered at about 2000. But when we arrived, we were told that the harbour party was in full flow and, with only one man on duty, the boats couldn’t get in. In fact, we were one of 36 visiting boats that were told they would have to wait outside for the night. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem but a storm was rolling in. Cue some robust input from some irate boaters and eventually, we were all shepherded in by about 2300.
ROSCOFF TO MORLAIX
Four days later, we made the six-hour trip west to Roscoff to get our passports stamped. When we arrived, we moored up and registered before making the 30-minute walk into town in glorious evening sunshine to find a restaurant. Most were shut on Monday and Tuesday and the few that remained open were “complet” but in the end, we had a pretty good meal in a creperie, washed down with a bottle of wine.
The next day we pushed on to Morlaix. After travelling up the river, we just missed the first locking in, so we settled down for lunch on the boat and awaited the next opening. The harbourmaster couldn’t have been more helpful. He found us a wonderful finger mooring with loads of beautifully restored old boats around us and great views of the town.
PLOUMANAC’H & TREGUIER
After three days, it was off to Ploumanac’h – alagoon with access over a sill. Once in, you pick up a fore-and-aft mooring with two huge buoys in the middle where you attach spring lines and allow boats to moor on the other side. It’s a neat solution and the calm and peace of the place, set among striking granite outcrops, was enchanting. A quick dinghy trip ashore gave us access to a small food shop, as well as several cafés and restaurants and the inevitable beach and memorabilia shops. But we spent a great weekend here, just chilling out on the boat and enjoying life.
On the Monday morning, it was off to Treguier. Some low-level haze made
