Soft rain on a slow French river, with a British Seagull

Just two people dinghy cruising on a largely forgotten and rarely-navigated river in western Brittany, mostly in the rain, with an elderly Seagull outboard motor. And we go to a jazz festival too.
MUSIC
Big Sur - Roy Edwin Williams
- from Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicsound.com
Piano Ballad
- FCP stock music
And various acts from Fest Jazz 2023
www.fest-jazz.com
ILLUSTRATIONS
Thanks to:
Wikicommons
Fest Jazz
French Waterways
DO YOU WANT TO NAVIGATE THE RIVER AULNE?
Website of Canaux de France about the Breton waterways (in French and Breton):
canaux.bretagne.bzh
INTERESTED IN DINGHY CRUISING?
Read my book, "The Dinghy Cruising Companion"
www.bloomsbury.com
And join the Dinghy Cruising Association:
www.dinghycruising.org.uk
AVEL DRO
Do you want a boat like mine?
Avel Dro is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by Les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. I bought her in France in 2003 to import her into the UK, and more recently returned her to France again. The design is based closely on the traditional inshore fishing boats of Brittany in the early years of the twentieth century - hence her simple boom-less lugsail rig and lack of a mainsheet horse, (sometimes controversial among my viewers). Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are relatively common in France. Modern Ilurs are however slightly different internally from mine, as they have more built in buoyancy. The name Avel Dro is Breton, and basically means a whirlwind.
Length 4.44 m
Sail area 12.2 m²
Beam 1.70 m
Draught 0.25 / 0.86 m
Design category C3
François Vivier's website (in English):
www.vivierboats.com/en/
Similar dinghies can often be found for sale on the website of the French magazine Le Chasse-Marée:
www.chasse-maree.com/revue/
Or try Le Bon Coin, (where you can buy anything in France):
www.leboncoin.fr
NOTE ABOUT BREXIT AND SMALL BOATS
Since January 2021, when Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) left the European Single Market, if you buy a boat in France or elsewhere in the EU with the intention of importing it into the UK, you are liable for VAT and other duties on the import - even if it is second hand. Similar charges will be due if you take a British boat the other way. This does not apply to a boat taken to another country for a brief holiday, however.

[@samtaylor9608]

Your videos are a form of escapism, they take me far away, keep up the good work and thanks!

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you!

[@johankotze42]

Let us hope your video inspire more people to use these waterways.

[@donotwantahandle1111]

Keep making these videos Roger, they are therapy for housebound people!

[@thewanderingbox8253]

awesome and green 🕺👍🏴‍☠️⛵ can't wait for your summer 24 escapism...long trips needed...i just loooovvvee that boat...i have a YW 5-tonner 1948 'Janina of Dorset'

[@janebaker966]

Delightful to find one of your restful films Rog. You make messing about in boats the apogee of living.

[@tombristowe846]

Did you notice what looked like the remains of a Viking style longship at the 18 min 20 sec point?

[@clivemaclennan3299]

Oh after the madness in this world it's such a treat to be in the world you share, thank you so much for sharing.

[@josephmansfield2875]

Lovely video Roger. You really do manage to escape to the quietest and remote places. I enjoy following you thanks for the time and effort you put in to making your videos

[@scottmitchell8273]

Great stuff ! My soul has been repaired again ! Thank you .

[@andrewmellon5072]

Thank you for another interesting and enjoyable video. I have cruised the brittiany waterways, which next to the Netherlands are my favourite waterways. I have discovered that a smaller boat is a lot less stressful than a larger one for long distance inland waterway travel. A woman who will accompany you on these trips is the exception, treasure her. I used a seagull, silver century, on the Shannon system, from before my wrist was strong enough to pull the starter in the early 60s. 10 to 1 mix castrol xl motor oil, whitefingers before we heard of it. Refuelling with motor running, it wouldn't start hot. Happy days!

[@RogerRoving]

They use 25:1 these days. Still amazingly oily. Thank goodness for modern biodegradable 2 stroke oil.

[@davidbamford4721]

It is well that your French is in good shape. I enjoyed using my very rusty schoolboy French when on holiday in Brest in 2000. I enquired of a police officer the location of the Wooden Boat Festival, and he replied in perfect English! My French must have been painful for him, but there is not much need for it in Australia.

[@on4mgy_radioamateur]

Such an inspiring video's, I can watch them for hours. Just got myself a small sail boat, now I just have to learn how to sail it.

[@baronblimey]

I used to travel up and down the Charente River near Cognac in my Quicksilver 420. No lockkeepers and a lot less drama thankfully. Brilliant photography, thank you.

[@toddsumner3216]

Few pleasures in the world like a seagull

[@kentgreenough75]

I crossed from Bremen, Germany to Port Saint Louis, France, via the Netherlands and Belgium in my 28 foot sailboat using the river and canal system in 2015-2016. Incredible trip. Thanks for sharing you trip!

[@ericdelevinquiere9902]

Just curious, what would be the max width you can get through these canals and rivers? I have a small cat.

[@robertseaman2254]

What lovely waterway,full of interest and lovely people ,thankyou roger,and your lovely lady friend.hope see you soon

[@robinengland5799]

Looks like a great event!! Beautiful location!! I love France!!!!

[@bradlafferty]

Very enjoyable! Thank you for showing us your travels! That’s a beautiful boat you’ve got there.

[@mxDuzt]

As an American with both a renewed passion of sailing and a few years of French collecting dust, your videos give a particular ache of the task. Watching these has been a welcome struggle as I follow along with both sailing and my weak skills in the French language.

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you

[@beam3819]

So peaceful sailing invites the mind into the landscape of your camera. Thanks for filming the beauty of the seaside and the rivers and canals with the olden water ways of the past.

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

Enjoyed your video.

[@donjankura2411]

Bravo!

[@hughmaynard1178]

Just discovered your channel. A great way to discover little visited and hard ro reach places. I feel sure I may have sailed with your friend Abigail (if she is the daughter of Gayle Heard)way back in the past on a very drunken smack race on the blackwater many moons ago along with John Bradshaw, who you may know, as he lives close to Douarnenez and sails.

[@johnoflegend1529]

As always thanks for taking us along this time on a little bit different adventure.

[@davidpoots8362]

Life in the slow lane, lovely

[@lone-wolf1248]

Your videos are very soothing. I love hearing about history. I wish we were still in the golden age of sail! If we were, I would sign up for the navy in a heartbeat. Thankyou for all that you do Roger! Your videos really help my mental health. I wish someday we could sail together!

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you

[@johnnorris1983]

Nice thoughts but the harsher dependencies of the day’s gone bye aren’t fully apparent. These are your days. Learn to appreciate and Don’t waste them.

[@ericdelevinquiere9902]

Amazing, last time I saw that engine was well over 50 years ago. Brings back some memories, and a distinctive pain in my hand! Can’t believe that’s still around!

[@romantiachristiana5147]

Amazing musicians. Amazing little cruise up the river. Nice friendly lock keepers. As always, the weather was variable, not only in Brittany.

[@JakobEngl]

Great video

[@Helliconia54]

ahhh Chateauneuf du FAOU. I was hearing du FOU. Got me wondering about it's back story. All good Great, relaxing video.

[@RogerRoving]

It is pronounced “foo”.

[@billywhizz6483]

What a wonderful way to spend some time!

[@justiceforall8574]

Ooh Roger my basic human instinct & emotion have really haunted me with your latest production (Jealousy).Boating good company & jazz music how heavenly & divine can it get?Thank-you.

[@trosmeneth]

Thanks Roger and Abigail, another delightful slice of Breton life. Aren't we lucky?

[@maryjomagar7154]

Your videos mean so much to me, thank you, as always! Greetings from the dry, arid Southwest USA!

[@jmaudsley6544]

Lovely production Roger, just like being there. Enjoyed it hugely.

[@ricochetrabbit4618]

Beautifully done, by all ! Thanks so much...

[@martyjames6204]

Merci Roger

[@kammeredith5098]

Just purchased my first wooden cruising dinghy, an 18’ modified sharpie with a sprit rig and jib. The information on your channel and in your book have been extremely helpful, and I will continue to study them as I learn to sail around the islands here in Maine. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge!

[@wealthbuilder59]

My new favorite channel. Great life your living . Thanks for the videos

[@user-gj3in5yz3i]

Beautifully crafted video as always Rodger. Your thoughtful photography and soothing sound scapes really take us there. I dont mind the seagull.... Another classic.. 👍

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you!

[@mwallace2922]

Swallows and Amazons with outboards.

[@mickaelCM]

😘thank you for the enchanted walK !!

[@galenmurphy3016]

In Missouri, central USA. Your an inspiration brother!! Keep up the great channel!!!

[@ouam29]

Thanks a lot, very instrutive, i was not aware that it was possible and i live in the area... i will try to do it as well

[@UiBhrianEnterprises]

Beautiful scenery, what lovely way to spend a few days ! love your vids Roger , Authentic !

[@tgalbraith2152]

Never realised how "uncivilising" the outboard can be. Beautiful river, architecture and music. Thanks.

[@michaeljolicoeur2157]

Thank you for a wonderful trip through your camera lenses.

[@remyyamabushi1473]

encore une jolie ballade au fil de l'eau. Merci !

[@leohorishny9561]

SO trusting of the Seagull all those times!!🤔

[@capng]

Watch your vids regularly (yes, subscribed). Loved both the jazz music at the end & the beautiful piano playing that closed out the video with the Cathedral in the background. Well done on the music selections & editing! P.S. There are quieter outboards than the Seagull available now.

[@RogerRoving]

There are indeed!

[@thomascking]

These lock shenanigans make me anxious. Here in the UK it's pretty simple to book the Brentford lock from the Thames to the Grand Union. But the lock keepers have a reputation for not always turning up, leaving boaters stranded and needing to head back up stream to Teddington to try again the next day.

[@RogerRoving]

When I went through that lock it was still manned every day.

[@okcantbelieveit294]

Nothing like a bit of greenery for decoration! 😂

[@oldjack3023]

Thanks Rodger that was great , France is a beautiful country ,i miss it ( from an Englishman living in Australia)

[@madisondeans5566]

Always a lovely setting & style of boating I love & can relate too! Dr.Barnes has fixed me up once again!!

[@anthonywoollcombe9767]

Excellent video…. Very enjoyable. Cheers Tony

[@backtothebarky]

They dug that to avoid the Royal Navy blockade? Wow that paints such a picture of power on both sides! Great adventure and another great video RB.

[@larswetterstrom7209]

Lovely green and generous landscape along the river.

[@brianwatkins2974]

When I lived near the Avon in Gloucestershire (1990s), I was very glad we could work the locks by ourselves, although it could be a lot of exercise if you were by yourself! Where I live in Oregon, there's only one lock separating us from a path to the sea. Unfortunately, they only open it once a year for a few commercial craft!

[@chriswilson3009]

Thank you Roger for a wonderful video that after watching i feel totally stress free,

[@michaelkastle808]

Ist that the Same Roger i knew? Tres bien. Tres sympa. ....

[@user-ti9ef7fv1v]

Thank you, Roger, very interestin !!! 😊👍

[@Ramenscooter]

Great opening credits music selection!

[@neild735]

That was just lovely. Thank you, Roger.

[@johnbiddal5951]

Terrific video Roger, the Festival music was good too. 👍

[@FLH3official]

Many thanks for this video, Roger!

[@user-jg9ju1ke8i]

Another lady from your harem Roger

[@slome815]

I love the look of those old two stroke outboards.

[@MrBrianc1975]

A fantastic relaxing sunday evening video. Perfect. Good to see that its not just England receiving unseasonal summer rain!

[@ingmarhornke3009]

Another Great Video! Watching Maikes feelings like a whole das of vacation. Thanks Roger

[@ThomStevens]

That outboard motor is worth far more as a museum piece than a means of propulsion!😄

[@RogerRoving]

Be careful! It is much younger than me!

[@ThomStevens]

@@RogerRoving I'm sorry to have impugned your age or your property. Back in the early 1950's as I was waking up in the Canadian cottage country life that my grandfather started in 1945 (I first arrived in 1948) the outboard motor you showed was very old already at our lake and disappeared by the time I was teenager to be replaced by Mercury and Johnson motors. I am astonished to hear that this very old style motor is still in production if I understand your response to my comment correctly.

[@RogerRoving]

I was not offended. That particular engine was built in 1988 - so it is thirty years younger than me! But Seagulls are no longer in production.

[@joeh773]

@RogerRoving what happened to the "Footprints in the sand" song? :) Kinda miss it with your vids, but I also enjoy your other selections...

[@thierrylabellebulle8023]

j'adore toujours autant tes vidéos 👍

[@saraofnorthwales]

Lovely boat

[@davelawrence6777]

Really nice video, my friend love seldom explored back waters top that with some good jaz and a beautiful first mate well all i can say is where was the crowning touch of a good bottle of French wine

[@fargarden]

A beautiful production. Thanks for taking us along as always Roger.

[@plymouthwelshboy]

Forgotten how noisy seagulls are. Nice video. Thanks for posting

[@RogerRoving]

So had I!

[@plymouthwelshboy]

@@RogerRoving I retired mine as a result 😆

[@DavidD6969]

That's living life 👍

[@alvessail4718]

Magnifique. Thank you

[@piotrn9309]

Any way Roger . Very butifull movie . You perfectly avoiding what is in my maind commercial things. Just focus on fantastic stories and real sailing and crousing.

[@MrRyancangri]

I love your videos. What size is your boat?

[@wayfarerchris.4116]

Very enjoyable video Roger. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@scottastell9415]

Very relaxing video. Thanks!

[@astrorad2000]

Wonderful and Thank You so very much!

[@davidupton4730]

Having had a narrowboat on the English inland waterways, the French system seems (like most simple things in France) unnecessarily complicated , nice locks though.

[@Taedy]

Wonderful!

[@Peter165]

Great video…beautiful scenery but yet strangely melancholy given how quiet and underused the waterway seems. Good to see though that, despite its quietness, the locks and waterway seem so well maintained and clear of floating plastic. As ever though, you capture the rich history and essence of France, and what it is to experience life in France in every video. Thank you.

[@RogerRoving]

I did record more about the history of the canal, but decided to cut down the length of the pieces to camera. So too I had more jazz music. It’s always a hard decision to decide what to include and what to leave out. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

[@pajarodevina30]

amazing

[@royrcf]

Beautiful.

[@williampullar4028]

Always love your videos. Thanks Roger. 😎😍😍😎

[@piotrn9309]

Very nice 👍

[@michaelbradley-yorath9682]

I would love to get on the water in some of these locations. Soon I will have the chance.

[@richardredling3291]

A really cool video

[@thomaslee3]

so glad i found your videos again... i have some catching up to do.... I was just in Vannes, France visiting friends and that seems like close to where you are living... right?

[@RogerRoving]

About 2hrs drive from douarnenez. Same on the train.

[@andrewmackenzieeveritt673]

Well done. Loved the music clips. Sail on…

[@richardreedy117]

Very nice trip! Thank you.

[@shanerossiter6307]

Anther one extremely well done. Thank you Roger!

[@kidsafloatinawoodenboatsai6137]

Incredible to see the history. Thanks for the tour!

[@JamesSmith-is7co]

Great Trip down an amazing place!!

[@colrodrick8784]

Thanks Roger. I am brushing up on my French to retrace your steps (one day). Ta mate.

[@gpk7683]

Damn, that was good! Thanks. Like your Jazz outfit. Someone should have filmed you and Abigail dancing. Maybe next time.