Balade dans la rade (in English)

A four day cruise on the Rade de Brest, with three nights sleeping aboard the dinghy under canvas. Brittany, summer 2019.
The French word "Rade" means "Roadstead" or "Roads" in English, as in Carrick Roads. “Balade" means to go on an excursion or to wander. So "Balade dans la rade" means "A wander in the Roads”.
Erratum: It should be Hôpital-Camfrout - my bad typing missed out the 'R".
Visiting the Rade de Brest
The area is an hour’s drive south of Roscoff ferry port, to which there are daily ferries from Plymouth most of the year. www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
There is a camping site overlooking the water where we launched at Lanvéoc, on the peaceful Crozon Peninsula. This would be an ideal base for exploring the Rade de Brest in a dinghy, if you do not have the facilities to sleep aboard. www.camping-cap-ouest.com
The Fédération Voile-Aviron organises various "sail and oar" rallies in France, and publishes a number of very useful navigation guides for small boats, which can be downloaded from the website. voileaviron.org
Buying a boat like mine
My dinghy is an adapted Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are quite common in France. www.vivierboats.com/en/ Similar dinghies can often be found for sale in the French magazine le Chasse-Marée. www.chasse-maree.com/revue/
The vexed question of my mainsheet
Many viewers have suggested I fit a rope horse, rather than unhooking the mainsheet on each tack. A horse does not work on a boomless sail though. It tends to hook the leech into the centre line. My rig is pretty much how a traditional inshore fishing boat would have been rigged. Yes it has disadvantages, but also numerous advantages, which is why fishermen stuck with it until engines came along.
More information
Read my book, the Dinghy Cruising Companion www.amazon.co.uk/Dinghy-Cruis...
Join the Dinghy Cruising Association dinghycruising.org.uk/
Music
Easy Seas - Chris Haugen
Missing my Girl - The 126ers Front
Porch Blues - Chris Haugen
Lazy Day - iMovie library

[@jackbrown2325]

I could watch these for hours , well done R.

[@MarcDupont]

Thank you for illustrating my dreams while life takes me elsewhere.

[@carlkenyon4599]

@laurent boutin why does it do that ?? me too .

[@carlkenyon4599]

@laurent boutin YES, I want a boat , so i can escape , maybe just a very small boat !

[@richardbarnes455]

Mary has a magnetism about her! She is a keeper.

[@sumobear2031]

Made me smile watching you row, mary pulling her heart out, Roger having a half hearted stroke every now and then. I use to tell my crew that i;m paid from the neck up and they're paid from the neck down, and i see roger also commands with the same thought. Great video

[@brettsandford4146]

Bravo, bravo, c'est magnifique!! Loved hearing from Mary in this video. Yes, more please Roger.

[@thameswanderer]

Great new vid. We need more! Poor old Mary seems to be doing all the work! 😁

[@SuperBullyone]

it's true isn't it? when I was young that is how I sorted out women who wanted to marry me. I would take them sailing. One lasted 2 months, so there it is!

[@rustyholt6619]

those half hearted strokes were keeping the boat on on course ,hees stronger i thinks

[@rapido2963]

I always thought the stronger person rowed ‘stroke oar’ - Captain Bligh obviously knows better!

[@n.j.dougherty4872]

It is so much fun joining you on your adventures.. at 81 my sailing days are very limited but I can still dream and you provide the perfect setting. Enjoyed your book. Stay safe😊😊

[@markdewhurst3269]

Long time since your last vid, but happy to watch this laid back man that has his destiny under control 🤙

[@ashleysgaze]

Barnes is back! Bravo Roger, great stuff!

[@markjenkins6810]

Great timing for a video such as this. Cold stormy days of winter leave nothing but a longing for the balmy summer days afloat when one watches one of your summer films shown in winter. Bravo Roger

[@MrBanook]

Yes, You are back! I got really happy because your relaxed stile in and about the dinghy pleases me a lot! I had just sold my sailboat so you are my drug for sailing! Björn

[@adamcfmacdonald]

More please! Architecture, chat, sailing, all good. Thanks for making. Be well.

[@BigFiveJack]

Your dinghy sailing videos are always a joy to view as I sit myself on my couch with feet up! To DO as you and Mary DO in the recreational category, is really beckoning to me!

[@RogerBurgess]

I love it when Mary is aboard. Cheers for the vid.

[@AndyJarman]

I think her narrative is so full of pregnant pauses and dry sarcasm I find myself staring hard at Roger to see if she manages to crack a smile on his dour visage. But no, not yet anyway...

[@justink9445]

Are they a couple?

[@AndyJarman]

@@justink9445 her boat's called 'Oranges' - there's a bit of a hint there.

[@muddy0048]

Goddamnit Roger, that was terrific. Your videos are always something to look forward to and that keeps us alive! We love when you talk too.

[@dragonfly8080808]

Most enjoyable thank you for sharing, looking forward to future episodes.

[@mee3sy]

Quite possibly, my favourite videos on KZbin. Welcome back Roger, and Mary too.

[@RogerRoving]

Steve Mees Thank you Steve. There will be another video along tomorrow...

[@davidharris4062]

Brilliant video, just love the scenery, very much like Cornwall and West Wales

[@timstewart8690]

Roger, thank you. Much appreciated. Good crew, food and somewhere beautiful the sail. What more could a sailor want?

[@kevinu.k.7042]

07:19 - Barnes the brute Captain - Laughing! Looks like a superb trip - Thanks for sharing.

[@OkieBobby]

Roger (and Mary), Many thanks for another fantastic video!!!

[@gordondavies7773]

Delivered a boat from Douarnenez to Porz Beac'h for the first Chasse Marée festival. Couldn't stay for the party, but took the boat home. Sailing through the Goulet and onto the Aulne in a calm and with no motor took time. Had to kedge for 6 hours. Sail home, passing through the Tas de Pois was superb.

[@n2dabloo]

You two are adorable! Waves from Alabama.

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you!! 😊

[@Beorninki]

Amazing vid. Thank you.

[@buchananseaspray26toki91]

Well, we certainly agree on this subject Roger! Super video, well done. I thought I was cramped in my 26’ Buchanan but I was impressed with how you managed to stay so organised and turn the boat into a tent! Great stuff, I never expected the Rade de Brest to be so peaceful and rural. Cheers!

[@tripslaughter5101]

What a beautiful sail Roger, you and Mary look to be having a wonderful time. Thanks for another video.

[@drock6310]

Very enjoyable watch, a hidden gem location. Well done to a great team. "Thats not me huffin and puffin" 😁

[@jctothel]

Thank fuck you’re back Roger. Always love your videos. Well worth the wait!

[@LuckyTown77]

Love the video and the natural sounds of sailing and crew. Thanks

[@dion6146]

Wonderful. Many thanks Roger.

[@johnvititoe6051]

I just love your videos. And I see why Mary can stay so trim...rowing is good exercise. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

[@pshearduk]

A great video Roger. Thanks for bringing us along. atb

[@jeanletreust72]

De superbes images offertes en février ! Merci! Au départ de Landerneau, sur l'Elorn, Mary rame très fort..Un très beau film. Hâte de vous revoir. Jean Yves

[@bradadamson2709]

Loving having some ‘time out’ watching your videos Roger. I have a small ‘12ft shellback dingy’ that my father made. The pace of life makes getting out difficult. So I watch you and your videos & get inspired to do more soon. Lyttelton NZ. : ) 👍

[@paddyfore]

Fantastic, Just the tonic I needed after a very wet and stormy few days in Ireland

[@MrBluoct]

Enjoy the teamwork including tandem rowing, scenery, description of your journey, sounds of nature !! Including water tapping out a tune on the hull of your boat- Too many channels load the content with overt “DJ tunes” to the detriment of other sounds of the towns , birds, lapping water , wind, horns, paddling , narration, other

[@kevinbarrow3550]

Another great vid Roger, good to see you back - many thanks....... and keep them coming !!!

[@ianm.4385]

All that rowing was hard work!!!!!

[@ahabva]

Roger, your videos are always a delight.

[@michaelchartres]

Great. What a life you live. Regards Michael

[@dirtywetdogboatsandsailing6805]

Lovely......i really enjoyed my time in the Rade last year. I didn't go as far up as Landernau but i did get right up to Chateaulin and port Launay which i loved.

[@ildut4921]

Merci Roger pour ce beau partage, la rade de Brest est un bel endroit pour pratiquer le voile aviron dans un lieu abrité, ou les courants sont parfois assez curieux, mais on trouve toujours des contre-courants en observant un peu... ;-) Le Finistère avec ses 1200km de cotes est plein d'endroits merveilleux à découvrir, ses rivières, ses abers, ses baies, un endroit merveilleux ou l'on est jamais au bout de ses découvertes... Beaucoup de cales sont encore en accès libre heureusement, permettant de mettre à l'eau dans des endroits variés... Mes plus beau souvenirs avec mon petit dériveur de 13 pieds sont du coté de la baie de la Foret Fouesnant, les eaux turquoises des Glénans, ainsi qu'en baie de Morlaix ou les îles et îlots sont une invitation aux voyages et rêveries... 🙏👍

[@RogerRoving]

ildut Oui, comme vous avez écrit, un endroit merveilleux !

[@JerryHumphreys]

Thanks for your inspiration, love your reportage!

[@roderickmchardy3650]

great stuff ,, tres bien

[@quarlow1215]

Awesome stuff Roger. Can't wait for more.

[@Chris-bx6ur]

Very relaxing watching your adventures

[@johnriley5844]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@ricochetrabbit4618]

You two are great! Thank you for the adventure!

[@RBHoge1]

Roger, I greatly enjoy your videos. For my own sailing adventures I have "downsized" from a 25 foot Coronado sloop to an O'Day Javelin. (You might know it as a "Fox 14"). Most sailors around here are mad about racing. I on the other hand go to the river to escape the "Rat Race" in my little dinghy, overloaded with camping gear. Roger, keep you videos coming, I enjoy them.

[@yankeeclipper4326]

Great cruise! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@steveschwartz6138]

I love your videos. I hope to one day be able to follow along in my own boat.

[@ericlaurent6084]

Memories. Thank you for the video. I used to sail there when I was a sea-scout.

[@Radnally]

Great stuff. Thanks

[@olegkostrov7276]

Very good, l am understand you.

[@GarYcMiLK1]

great video, always interesting and knowledgeable, look forward to some more content in the near future.

[@harryme472]

Love your videos Roger , so good!

[@Helliconia54]

at 7.40 there is a fascinating steeple. You'll have to make a short video about THAT, day one. Loving your videos.

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Thank you that looked fabulous so peaceful. Love your vlogs, I been looking into building my own little boat since starting to watch your videos. Alan.

[@russellsmith8609]

Roger, so glad to see another glimpse into your sailing life. You always capture a hint of how peaceful it must be. I think you are quite lucky to have found a friend that can relax and absorb the passing quiet beauty of being on the water while still being rugged enough to not be challenged by the riggers of camping in a small boat. Looking forward to your next adventure, spring and and warmer weather is just around the corner, cheers.

[@geraldtonjjeeper]

Thanks Roger, it's been a while! More please? Regards, Roger (Australia)!

[@daleskidmore1685]

Nice surprise to find you have posted this, Roger. Wonderful and all too short. I always keep a weather eye out for you, look forward to the next balade.

[@marcos7106]

Where have you been we have missed you. Happy you are back.

[@fendykefabs]

Excellent video Roger, very inspiring.

[@dougzirkle5951]

I’m glad that you’re putting out more films!

[@MrBrianc1975]

Fantastic relaxing and interesting video to watch.

[@andyrmac7733]

Ahoy Roger. Your videos give me such hope and enthusiasm into my second sailing season. Looking forward to daytrips to Poole Harbour and more adventures on Carrick Roads and boom camping on the Percuil River in my old Mirror. I will be building on the lessons learnt from last year. It's ok to have delays. thank you for posting...an excellent video.

[@onanysundrymule3144]

Potential subject matter for future videos, if I may be so bold; 1; A discussion re 'loose' footed versus boomed mainsails. 2; A tour of your electronic navigation apparatus. 3; I'm still desperate to see how you unship/and ship your boat from/onto the trailer to its grass roosting nest overwinter. Kind regards. Edit; meant to say 'loose' footed.

[@bonviv]

very relaxing video, can not wait for the next one, thanks

[@fredjones7307]

I love to see people propel a boat with a sweep. I've seen quite large engine-less French yachts being brought to their moorings in that manner.

[@ben_6199]

Beautiful video diary.

[@rogberube6422]

Excellent shots; impressive video editing; very good musical choice. Thank you, Roger & Mary. :)

[@tim-youtubewatcher2726]

Thanks Mr Barnes, I really enjoyed that. Good to see your number of subscribers going up too.

[@keithcraig4809]

Looked grand!

[@jbburton5928]

Bonjour roger ,welcom back great vids love what you do encore

[@surreyarborist]

Mary knows how to put her back into rowing .

[@youtubespectator7279]

Good video Roger.. Nice to see you

[@benwrong6855]

Cheers for your videos, have really enjoyed working my way through them. I have no experience of sailing but seem to be getting the bug! All the best

[@teresitasamonte1074]

Nice video it's been awhile Roger! Love to see you in your home. Please do more of this viedeo. From the Philippines.

[@profmactheknife]

Fantastic, thank you.

[@cliftonfileure4149]

Excellent videos 👍🏼

[@andypennybrown6848]

Very enjoyable to watch, looking forward to some more soon (sv calico jack)

[@914050]

That looks like an amazing area for small boats.

[@dave1secondago]

great vid always look forward too new uploads

[@Ramenscooter]

Lovely thanks so much!

[@bowman26]

Tres Bon! 👍

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

This is a delightful video. I wish you success in your increased video output.

[@Tatlock57]

Think I have watched all of your video's now Roger, very interesting and informative. I have just bought a Wayfarer and I'm thinking maybe I can go Sailing in that area next summer 2001, maybe for a couple of weeks, because I would be coming down from Fife Scotland with the boat on a trailer. Thanks for all your great work, looking forward to seeing more, when we are aloud out. 😁.

[@SuperBullyone]

the organization on rogers boat is outstanding. You are really woking this lady Mary? Usually in the USA we call it "single handed sailing with my wife".

[@tonioeiffeloutside2544]

Ho nice ! You were where I live! Nice to meet you one day! Good job,

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

beautiful

[@taobot8]

This is great stuff. It's like Frank and Margaret Dye for the 21st Century

[@damepipiastropolis]

Thank you from Brittany

[@prof.heinous191]

Long live the change!

[@nickjoel5288]

Nicely done Roger, as if I need any more incentive to finish my Ebihen 18.

[@mosspiglet6578]

Well shot. Nice job with the audio, it’s hard recording outside. Lovely environs. The Ilur dinghy’s looking fetching, as is the crew.

[@RogerRoving]

Omnicorn Thank you. I struggle more with audio than anything.

[@delukxy]

A nice calm video, very relaxed even if a few more knots of wind would have been welcome. Googled the area a bit and saw your review on TripAdvisor for Chez Jeanine. Pics of the food looked excellent and your 5 star rating would seem to agree.

[@agnespichette4372]

Delightful

[@ablack9431]

I love your rig no boom to smack on the head like I had on my old enterprise.

[@2bitrasputin793]

Que Vida Boa!

[@julast6658]

Yeah!