A nice marina full of nice people.
Soon after we'd tied up, a familiar-looking boat appeared and docked next to us. Jean, Mark and Gill went on an important shopping expedition, leaving me to re-water the boat (and chat to neighbours). On their return the boat hadn't been re-watered but I had. Anyway, after another hour or two aboard "Midnight Sky" we went out to supper. This brings me on to "Allegra" (CCRC). She'd seen her moored outside the Capitainerie and remembering that her skipper and crew were not only charming, friendly and invariably welcoming but also that they are probably the best cooks afloat, we popped in for a chat.
Sloe Gin is even better than I remembered.
So much for Les Sables (it's where the Vendee Globe starts from of course .. had hoped to bump into Pete Goss and perhaps my mate Tony Bullimore and give them a few tips about the Southern Ocean but apparently the next Globe doesnt start till next year.)
From Les Sables we were aiming at La Rochelle but Jean sensibly suggested that instead we should anchor off the end of Ile-de-Re. We had a pleasant afternoon being interogated by the very pleasant Customes Team that boarded us in their flubber-francaise whilst their 70 foot grey steel mother ship circled us with guns suitably aimed. Anyway, I did eventually find the "ship's papers" and we left to suffer the night on our rolling mooring (those of us, that is, who werent up at 0230 and 0300 fiddling with straining mooring lines).
Next on to Ile D'aix for an very pleasant lunchtime anchorage (not Douanes there), thence 13 miles up (the very very beautiful) River Charente to Rochefort, were we are now. A lovely town,something of a cross between Chatham, Dartmouth and Beaulieu.
Very hot.
Went for a 6 mile run with Jean before breakfast .. it's either love or the sun's getting to me.
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