After several weeks exploring the Morbihan and islands in the Quiberon Bay area, we were ready to resume our sail south and begin heading down the coast towards La Rochelle. We were due there for the 1st August – to deliver our son to a friend’s house on the Île de Ré, so we had a comfortable week to work our way down the coastline, perhaps stopping at the Ile d’Yeu en route.

First stop out of the Vilaine was an anchorage off the beach at Rade de Croisic, between La Turballe and the harbour at Le Croisic. As we approached, there were still some big swells coming into the bay, but the westerly wind was due to die down later that evening so we took our chances and dropped the hook. The beach opposite is vast and sandy (though a portion of it, La Plage de Pen Bron, is designated for naturists), and the water appealingly clear. Even a cluster of tiny comb jellies didn’t put the teens off from swimming late into the evening and most of the following morning too.

For once, we were the only boat anchored in the bay – though I imagine it’s usually a popular spot. The westerly wind had no doubt put most sailors off on this occasion, but our gamble paid off and we had a peaceful evening as the wind continued to drop.