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Azores Passage Notes

Crossing to the Azores

Here we go! The elements are finally gathered for us to embark on the crossing to the Azores: (1) Fabule is ready. (2) The captain and crew are motivated and healthy. Our daughter Romaine joins us for this passage, which will greatly help us for the watches and contribute to the joyful atmosphere. (3) The […]

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Galicia (Spain) Passage Notes Portugal

The end of the known land (Finisterre)

This journey took us from one beautiful city, A Coruna, to another, Porto. We rounded the westernmost point of the Spanish mainland, Finisterre, and walked on its dramatic cliffs. Charming A Coruña We loved to be back in A Coruña and to go out for tapas or for a walk. The lighthouse Hercules is a […]

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Bay of Biscay France Passage Notes

From medieval to cristal (Crossing Biscaye)

For our third crossing of the Bay of Biscaye, we enjoyed the sunshine and sailed downwind. It took us 3 days (67h for 370 nautical miles) from l’Aber Wrac’h (N-W tip of France) to A Coruña (N-W tip of Spain). Can we leave now? A few things kept us in the lovely medieval town of […]

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France

Oyster party (Anse de Gouermel)

We are back on Fabule and getting ready for our next adventure! (Never ending) boat projects After spending the winter on the hard in Tréguier (Brittany, France), Fabule is back on the water with a fresh coat of anti-fouling. But before we can leave, we still have a few boat projects (maintenance and enhancements) to […]

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France Passage Notes

Race against the clock

The forecast finally predicted a slight lull in this succession of gales. It was just long enough for our travel from Lorient to Roscoff. This was our last chance to reach Tréguier in time to haul out Fabule for the winter. Tides and currents For the passage from Lorient to Rosccoff around the Finistère (140nm […]

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France

Small hop (Lorient)

Depressions continue to sweep the French Atlantic coasts. We made a small progress and reached Lorient. Fortunately, the forecast looks better for next week. Fingers crossed. Amazing skies For our navigation from Quiberon to Lorient, we had a succession of sunshine and showers. We were in awe of the magnificient yet menacing skies. Kernevel and […]

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France

Waiting for a break from storms (Quiberon, Vannes)

Beginning of November, Brittany was on high alert because of storm Ciaran. While storms building over the Atlantic are to be expected at this time of the year, this one brought exceptionally strong winds and huge coastal waves. After reaching the northwest Atlantic coast of France, Ciaran continued its course and caused disruption all over […]

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France

Cycling in Brittany (Quiberon, Belle-île-en-Mer)

From time to time, the conditions are met for memorable sailing. This was the case for our day sail from La Turballe to Quiberon. However, as we plan our next leg to round the northwest corner of Brittany, the conditions have noticeable deteriorated with excess wind and high waves due to the depressions forming over […]

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France

In exploration mode (Loire region)

On our arrival in France, we had a series of beautiful days and we enjoyed visiting the Pays de la Loire and its famous castles with our friends Denise and Bryan. In the meanwhile, the successive depressions keep blowing hard against the Atlantic coast, considerably slowing down our progression north. Back in France (Pornic) One […]

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Bay of Biscay France Galicia (Spain) Passage Notes

Closing the loop with the Bay of Biscay

After one year and 6200 nautical miles (11 500 km), we are back in France. We enjoyed the fabulous journey that took us all the way to Greece and back! The crossing of the Bay of Biscay was the last long passage of this year. From now on, we will make day sails to reach […]