Route du Sable

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David Bewick David Bewick
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Route du Sable

Hi Folks,

I'm recently back from a trip to Brittany during which I did Route du Sable.  This was a two day trip up the R. Aulne.  Day 1 from Rosnoen to Port Launay is 17km and is sailable most of the way.  We set off in a fleet of over 70 boats and were going well until disaster struck when we were beating up a narrow section and we were "T-boned" by a Drascombe Scaffie (we were on starboard).  There was a horrible sound of splintering wood and I thought one of our oars had been smashed but when we stopped to investigate, the oar was fine but a lump of the gunwale had been ripped off.  I think his bowsprit and bobstay went over the oar (that was lashed up on its thole pin) a created a large twisting moment that did the damage.  We decided to drop the rig and row the rest of the way.  Notwithstanding the little bump, we had a great time and we were well entertained by the Breton bagpipes and accordion players in the lock.  We stopped for the night tied up right outside our B&B.  There was a crew supper and more music and dancing in the marquee in the village square in the evening.  Next day we rowed upstream through Chateaulin for a picnic lunch and then back to Port Launay (9 km).  Above the first sea lock, the river is canalised and it becomes the Nantes - Brest canal.  I am not sure how far it is navigable for but is a beautiful stretch of water - just the thing for an HBBR style raid.

Best regards,

David.

Launch site at Rosnoen

In the first (sea) lock

Overnight stop at Port Launay

Approaching the viaduct and lock at Chateaulin

Bantry Bay gigs at the lunch stop on Sunday

Ouch!
Timmo Timmo
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Re: Route du Sable

Looks like a good trip.

Aberrare has had some beatings, though I don't doubt your ability to fix her so the joins will be virtually invisible.

France has a lot of water to explore! 

Tim.


On 5 Jul 2014, at 20:20, David Bewick [via UK HBBR Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Folks,

I'm recently back from a trip to Brittany during which I did Route du Sable.