9th Idle B' Cruise

AD flies in from Gatwick at 09.30 to be whisked off to Forest Stores and the quivering island pig population in the deli section. A most serious confession ensues, AD wants All Bran for breakfast! Shame on you! Hallelujah salvation (pigs)! Back to Pont du Val where Sally is on sparkling directorial form instructing JW and IC to assemble the kayak wheels so she can pursue her latest passion. IC, hung over from Harry's birthday party the day before, finds it a little taxing but eventually they get there. AB, the laid back Bristolian, floats in later and graciously arrives at tacKtic by water taxi on the locals' pontoon. Suddenly it is all action Jersey bound. Once moored up the boys settle in at St Helier Marina and set off to enjoy the delights of an established fav - Bistro Rosa. In no way assisted by vino, confessions are encouraged and AB sheepishly admits to removing his wedding ring....'If you like it then you should have put a ring on it'. The boys also opine the Scottish independence should be conditional on an English referendum. How weird!

Day 2: Sunday 3rd July

The boys awake to a beautiful day. 08.00 departure from St Helier towards the sleepy, historical Breton town of Treguier, with the aim of heading West this year to ports unexplored (with daytime low water, it will require an early start each day, but we don't mind). AD shocks by carrying out his threat to choose the veggie breakfast option, the rest embark on ritual slaughter. The boys manage to sail, donkey and sail their passage to Brittany and experience a tricky parking manoeuvre in the tide but all fine in the end. Delightful dinner at Bistro Ernest (good for France on a Sunday) where IC falls asleep at the table and the group gather a new best friend, an earnest Chilean medieval historian and his daughter who compliment the boys of the quality of their English. What?! Day 2 confession: JW and IC forgot to buy a meat joint for SW to cook as treat for her boys. Fear and trepidation! No contact or favours, fellas. Bet that's on Facebook!

Day 3 Monday 4th July

A leisurely start, just the type required on the IB cruise! IC and AD go shopping for French goodies. Breakfast is taken on a waiting pontoon before heading up the estuary. OK, so we can't do early; we need a change of plan, which means going East against the tide. Oops, sack the navigator. Winds light so the boys end up sailing backwards against the tide. We fire up the donkey and make for Lezardrieux. Even under engine power the estuary looks particularly beautiful in the summer sun. Not so Calvers whose persistent wind problems earn him numerous verbal warnings. The team muse on harnessing this unwelcome natural phenomenon to economic advantage. Most efficient solution - submerge bottom half and force feed branflakes although excessive drag seen as a potential stumbling block! SW still not texting or talking to JW...Dinner eventually found at Auberge Trieux which was really surprisingly pleasant.

Day 4 Tuesday 5th July

Weather cold and wet - mais c'est toujours pire en Angleterre! tacKtic sails down the river but thanks to the strong tide it's backwards, sideways in fact any way but forwards! AD reports that water dropping down around the mast inside the boat. After 2nd bout of heavy rain, JW grinning joins AD and AB down below leaving IC in the cockpit on basis that "a busy Calvers is a happy Calvers". Make for Saint-Quay Port d'Armor and arrive at the marina finally in the sun. The marina was hosting the Tour de France à la voile so busy but all show and no substance in the tent village despite the fluttering banners and flags. New 34' boats this year. Dinner enjoyed upstairs at the Bistro de la Marine with excellent food and a delightful girlie in attendance. The aged lotharios disgrace themselves as usual! JW still pining for SW's forgiveness over the joint affair, but resolutely no telegraphic contact.

Day 5 Wednesday 6th July

St Quay to Paimpol F4 SW reach - cracking (short) sail, Grommet! Arrive Paimpol 10.30 on free flow through lock, just beating the tidal lock closure. Stroll into town and take lunch at crêperie under awning in the rain. IC polishes off a bottle of local cidre tout seul (wasn't that meant for sharing??!) IC,AD and AB set off for post prandial walk to a local monument, which ends up being a 3½ hour hike to the end of the estuary (Well,it was a lovely day) and visit to the Church of the Trinity and seafood wholesaler offering whole lobsters at €25/kg - shame about the fish ban on tacKtic! View down on the estuary at low tide was fascinating with the moules beds and the men working on them. Hit the first bar for a beer to wash down a long walk before retiring to tacKtic to prepare for dinner. Sad news of death of AD's father in law puts dampener on spirits but at least SW & JW are talking again so things looking up! Dinner at Quai Ouest very good.

Day 6 Thursday 7th July

Wind S not SW as forecast so engine all the way back to Guernsey as right up the chuff. Not exactly pleasant as very heavy rain for hours. IC maintained good humour, AD did not! Arrived St PP and waited on local pontoon for tidal access to QE2 marina. Final dinner at Absolute End delightful as always but very sadly Sally was unable to join the boys so a huge hole was felt at the table.

Day 7 Friday 8th July

tacKtic gets her annual clean and the boys make their way to the airport with JW acting as willing taxi driver. IB cruises, for those fortunate enough to be invited, are a highlight of the year and we look forward to celebrating IB X in 2012. Thanks John!

tacKtic

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Idle B'gger Cruise IX 2011