Douarnenez

29 July 2018

Every two years there is the Maritime Festival in Douarnenez. During the festival in this small French town, the most beautiful and usually very old ships from the area and far beyond gather here. And we love it here because of one simple reason: if you sail, you sail as much as possible, with as much sail as possible. It is spectacular as everyone is departing and arriving under sail in the full harbour and there is not much communication via VHF. Just sailing, looking around, pay attention to the other ships and the ship that has the most space moves for the ship that doesn’t have enough space. Great! And if you are not sailing the ships are open to the public and you can watch the spectacle on the water. 
There is music, games on the water, fish is being smoked on the quay, stands with all sorts of stuff, bars and a big stage. It is one big chaos with a bit of organisation that all comes together, and it works. And because it is so much fun, there are always more ships than expected so we are at the quay with at least two ships next to us, but four is not an exception either. 
The only ‘problem’ is the Breton weather. On Friday and Saturday, we had a few showers, but today it is pouring down. But everyone is used to it! This afternoon the sun should come out and so will the many, many visitors.