Melina was at the Brest & Douarnez Boat Festivals. It was a wounderful sight. Over 2000 boats of all shpes and sizes, from ten square riggers to small sailing dinghies, 80% were wooden and old. So many craft that it was difficult to take any decent photographs! On Fridat 16th July the whole fleet sailed the 30nms to Douarnenez, a real sailing amada and a fantastic sight.
In Douarnenez met up with Anna & Rob Brunyee and family from Falmouth in their 53' pilot cutter Margurete T. They are off down to the Canaries and the Caribbean for the winter, returning home next summer. I hope to meet up with them again at the Antigua Classic Regatta in April, when I hope to be back on Charm III again.
Melina arrived in Brest on the 12th July at the height of the Clssic Boat Festival.
She will now be in Brittany until September.
Our crossing from the Azores was very calm with lots of motoring and winds of no more than 25 knots. Again we used 'Herb's' weather service and he prevented us getting into stronger winds, recommending that we alter course or reduce speed to do so.
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Ian