As close as you can get to the dolphins
Leaving the turbulent waters of the Sein passage to starboard, we reach the island of the same name. A bit of slaloming between the rocks reveals a nice surprise. Two, then three, four, five dolphins come and play in front of the bow. To see them better, we kneel against the sides of the RIB. Every face is full of smiles. “It’s wonderful”, says Fabienne. “Really cool!” say the younger sailors, with their cameras in their hands. We never get tired of this aquatic ballet. But there are other amazing moments on the programme…
Stop-off on the Île de Sein
We gently come into land. There are brightly painted houses, huddled close together, to welcome us on the quays. In the sunshine, it’s quiet and peaceful on this fragment of earth and moorland set down in the ocean. In small groups we descend on a crêperie or the terrace of a bar, or we picnic on some small dock. Our after-lunch walk takes us over the cordon of pebble beaches to the lighthouse, where we have a unique view. The weather has turned hot by the time we put on our life jackets and go back on board. “But it will be chillier when we’re out at sea,” warns Didier.
Dolphins, Act II
A few cable lengths from the island, the boat is tossing on the waves. We’re lucky enough to find some large dolphins surfing in the waves. Even Didier agrees that “It’s pretty incredible”. Thanks to his skilled piloting, everyone is comfortable watching the dolphins move at really high speeds. Everyone claps as they leap out of the water. “This is something really special,” says Dominique. We could have stayed to watch them a lot longer, but we’re heading to the Ar Men next.
At the foot of the legendary Ar Men
As we stand below the 37 metres of this marine monument, Henri declares himself to be “moved”. Didier, his hand on the tiller, tells us its secrets. It was an unbelievable place to work, with armoured doors. Its long history makes this lighthouse very impressive. Built in the middle of the Chaussée de Sein, 20 km from the coast, it was known as “the Hell of Hells” by its keepers. On the way back, the Tévenec lighthouse and its dwelling, clinging to the rock, seem almost bucolic by comparison, despite its reputation as a lighthouse with a curse. For this last dash across Audierne Bay, the light softens. With our hair blowing in the wind, we’re all lost in daydreams, full of incredible images. On the dock, everyone warmly thanks Didier for this amazing day. So when are we going again?
