Douarnenez Festival 2008 and disaster!

Leaving the boat in Douarnenez, we returned to the UK and went back on tour. Our final gig was in Frankfurt on Thursday 12th July in the evening. We packed up and got to bed in the early hours. At 5:30 in the morning after a couple of hours sleep, we got up and dropped Lochlann off at the airport. He was heading back to the UK for Port Elliot Festival. Then we started our long, long 15 hour drive to Douarnenez. As we got close,About 15 miles away, we picked up a group of young hitch hikers also headed to the festival. It was great fun to arrive with their enthusiasm and excitement. We dropped them off and headed off to park and find Island Swift.

Performing Bellevue Hotel in Frankfort

Sailing to Douarnenez Maritime Festival 2018

I have a bit of a sad history or not getting to Douarnenez Maritime Festival!

• In 1986 we set off from Essex but for various reasons I only got as far as Cornwall.
• In 1988 most of my friends went. I was sadly confined to land.
• In 2016 my crew mutinied! After crossing the Atlantic they did not want to set sail again.

It was now 2018 and I really wanted to get there this time. 

But work had to come first. Looking at the diary over and over again. It just did not look like it would work out. Then we came up with a plan. We would sail the boat over early. Leave her at Douarnenez. Go off and work and come back to join the in festivities. This would mean we would have to leave the boat in Douarnenez after the festival and return latter to collect her. This was the idea, but things did not quite go to plan!

I just love sailing!