Europe

Mont Saint-MichelMont Saint-Michel

On an island in a bay, the mont Saint-Michel abbey is a magical place.

JerseyJersey

Photos taken while staying in Jersey on a cold winter week-end.

CopenhagenCopenhagen

A bicycle visit to the city of Copenhagen.

Normandy

Granville dinghiesGranville jettyGranville

In Granville, the sunset makes spots on the harbour jetty and they have a special way of mooring dinghies.

Bottlenose dolphinFrom the Channel islands to Le Havre

I’ve sailed from Brest to Le Havre on the pilot cutter Marie-Fernand, meeting a bottlenose dolphin close to the Channel Islands.

SunsetMarie-FernandRace of AlderneyWe went through the Race of Alderney and its currents, sailed along the northern coast of Cotentin and enjoyed a rainy sunset.

On the quays in Le HavreLe HavreAfter a nice night sailing, we arrived early in Le Havre and walked on the quays before leaving.

From Le Havre to the Channel islands

La Hague capeMainsail of Marie-FernandLe Havre quays at nightA year later, we left Le Havre to get to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue then go through raz Blanchard and get to the Channel Islands.

Medes islandsMedes islands

In L’estartit, on the Costa Brava, the Medes islands are a marine reserve.

Medes islandsMedes islands The archipelago includes seven rocky islands of various sizes and 511 ha of protected marine area.

Arrival in the Scilly islandsScilly islands

Each year the scow Notre-Dame de Rumengol goes to the Scilly islands. After passing Wolf Rock lighthouse, we moor off St Martin’s island.

Cromwell’s castle at sunsetWalk on BryherMooringThe next day, we moor between Tresco & Bryher and fish for shrimp, we go for a walk on Bryher then get back at sunset.

Sunset in the English ChannelNotre-Dame de RumengolOn the third day, after having explored Tresco or swum, we leave the Scilly in the evening and sail back to Aber Wrac’h on the next day at noon.

SunriseFishing boatSunset in St Mary’s During another visit to the islands, we enjoy a sunset in St Mary’s. Then we sail to St Agnes and get back to St Mary’s at sunrise.

London

Kew Bridge Steam Museum

Next to Kew Gardens, the Kew Bridge Steam Museum is located along the Thames, in a pumping station on that used to supply water to the London drinking water network.

Cornish beam engine controlCornish beam engine cylinderCornish beam engine The museum includes its original two huge Cornish beam engines with 90″ and 100″ cylinders and fascinating control mechanisms. One of them is in working order. More steam engines of various types have been added to the display.

Triple expansion engineWaddon engineEaston & Amos engine The Easton & Amos engine and the Waddon engine have huge flywheels. The triple expansion engine has a very nice control panel.

The Kew Bridge Steam Museum is a steampunk paradise, a must-see if you visit London and love steam. On most week-ends the rotative engines are steaming and you can ride the steam train; from time to time the Cornish beam engine is steaming, check out the calendar for more info.

Tate Modern & City HallLondon Eye & Westminster PalaceAlong the Thames

A trip on the Thames, starting from Westminster Palace, in front of the London Eye; you go along the Tate Modern and the City Hall.

Greenwich ObservatoryDocklandsTower Bridge After going under Tower Bridge, and along the docklands, you get to Greenwich.

Street in KinsaleRiver Bandon in KinsaleIreland

After sailing in the Scilly, we crossed to Ireland and went up the river Bandon to Kinsale, a small town with coloured facades.

Common guillemotFastnet lighthouseRabbit island We then sailed to Rabbit island. On the next day, we went around Fastnet rock and arrived in Crookhaven. We met guillemots on a very quiet day.

Baltimore beaconThen we left via Sherkin island…

Charente islands

A week-end aboard an old gaffer called Lola of Skagen.

SunriseRusty craneChauveau lighthouse Boarding in Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, we sail towards the Chauveau lighthouse and island. I find a rusty crane in Saint-Martin-de-Ré harbour. We leave at sunrise to get back to Oléron.

From Oléron to Belle-Île-en-Mer

The first leg of a trip from Oléron to Douarnenez aboard Lola of Skagen.

Les Sables-d’OlonneÎle de Ré bridge On the first day we left Oléron island, passed under the Île de Ré bridge, and reached Les Sables-d’Olonne.

Sunrise over Les Sables-d’OlonneLes Sables-d’Olonne jetty The second day, we left Les Sables-d’Olonne before sunrise, and sailed by Yeu island.

The next part of the trip takes place in Brittany.