Cycle out to Bonne Anse

After a rather frustrating Saturday morning and early afternoon when
everything seemed to take longer than expected, not helped by having to
empty the port forward locker when we found that some water had got into
it, we were finally ready to go for the ride we had planned to Bonne
Anse for the afternoon.

Bonne Anse is the lagoon at the entrance to the Gironde behind Point de
Coubre. It is a drying lagoon with a harbour which we thought might
make a pleasant alternative to the marinas further down the channel.
Once again we experienced the wonderful cycle paths of the Poitou -
Charente region: clearly marked, segregated from cars and pedestrians
and clear of glass and debris. The route we followed initially took us
through the towns along the coast and then into the woodland that runs
between the beaches and marshes leading up to Bonne Anse harbour.

The beaches are delightful but busy, and I would think heaving in
August. Bonne Anse itself lived up to our hopes, shallow water almost
fully enclosed by sandy bars and islets which looked particularly
picturesque in the late afternoon sunshine. Unfortunately the harbour
does not appear to take visitors so we would have the option of either
anchoring in the lagoon and drying out or anchoring near the entrance
and being ready to move if the weather changed. We treated ourselves to
an ice cream on the way back which rounded of a really good excursion
which would only have been improved if we had had time to stop for a
swim. If the weather permits we will sail up and have a look at Bonne
Anse on the ebb (it is not a good idea to attempt it at night so it was
not an option when we came in).

Today, Sunday 11th Sept, it is blowing old boots with some rain and a
big swell, as forecast, so we have stayed put and are hoping it will be
fit to move on tomorrow. As always our consolation is that the weather
is much worse in the UK.

The only downsides we have found to Royan are the loud live music at
night (at weekends at least), no WiFi in the marina and the long walk to
the sanitary block.

The french sailors have been very friendly and interested in Mango. We
have as a result picked up some tips on where to call in on our way up
the Gironde.