Category: Around Europe
-
Day 17: Arzon to Batz-sur-Mer
I woke up to find my phone had died. I could’ve faffed away the day trying to sort things out but instead just got on the water to paddle away my frustration. I cut across the bay and swell built, coming from my right-hand side. Waves put me in a state of flow where my…
-
Day 16: Île petit Logoden to Arazon
I’m afraid a failed waterproof case has killed my phone so until I get a replacement I’m writing from cyber cafes and there won’t be any photos. After the thunderstorm had passed, I dozed a little but awoke feeling tired. The day was calm and I floated in the still waters to wake myself up.…
-
Day 15: Étel to Île Petit Logoden
I had a productive morning of writing and route planning. Eric told me about the Gulf of Morbihan, a natural harbour with about 40 islands. It sounded like a place I couldn’t miss so I set it as my goal for the day. I left Étel with recharged batteries (in both senses of the phrase),…
-
Day 14: Le Pouldu to Étel
The day dawned bright again and I enjoyed a relaxed morning. Benoît and Angie joined me on the water and we paddled out of Le Pouldu at midday. A light headwind blew as we followed the rocky shore, but it was a pleasure to have some company. We left the Finistere department and entered Morbihan.…
-
Day 13: Port de Trévignon to Le Pouldu
I awoke at 9 and was surprised to see a market had been set up, practically around my tent. The stall keepers looked at me curiously as I poked my head out and an old man muttered disapprovingly. After living off little else but porridge for the last couple of days, I was delighted. The…
-
Day 12: Penmarch to Port de Trévignon
Not every day is super exciting. Paddling by yourself for 5 hours on a flat, seemingly lifeless sea can actually be fairly dull. So much so that of course I ask myself ‘what am I doing?’ The answer to that question is that it is not just about things happening. That very monotony is part…
-
Day 11: Plage de la Baie des Trépassés to Penmarch
It was already getting hot when I left at 10.30. I didn’t want to wait until 3 pm for the tide to turn and it was only a small current so I paddled against it. The water was flowing like a river around the Pointe du Raz and I had fun playing on a little…
-
Day 10: Plougonvelin to Plage de la Baie des Trépassés
I slept on a patch of sandy grass under a cluster of cedar trees by the beach. The wind blew all night long and was still blowing when I woke in the morning. I walked in to the sleepy village centre for food. People looked at me suspiciously, holding their gaze for a couple of…
-
Day 9: Guisseny to Plougonvelin
I had a good chat with Jim, who is an oceanographer, about my route for the day. I was a bit apprehensive of the headlands around Brest so it was reassuring to hear they aren’t too bad. I decided to change things up and leave in the morning. Although I’d be paddling against the tide,…
-
Day 8: Amiets to Guisseny
I woke late and made my porridge, rich with butter and currents. Usually, I don’t plan a destination for the day but today I’d been offered a bed for the night in Guisseny, just 25km away. The 2.5-hour paddle was uneventful. I felt tired for the last 5km but I think that was just psychological.…