Paimpols 'Chant du Marin' Festival

04 August 2005

In August Ruth had a ship full of people heading for the famous shanty festival in Northern Brittany. Ruth sailed under hot sun, including reaching 8 knots down the Chanel du Four, and into the festival. Paimpol is a riot of colour and music, the tan sails, stripy Breton shirts and gaelic welcome creating fantastic memories for those on board.

As part of the voyage Ruth carried a cargo of Cornish produce to Paimpol and during the festival invited 80 people to sample the wares. On offer were local ciders, jams, fish, real ale, pasties, cheeses and a whole lot more. The evening was a great success and a superb showcase for the excellent Cornish produce.

Of course, the shanty singers make the event and Ruths decks resounded to the stamps of feet as an excellent Dutch shanty band entertained the crowds from our vessel.

A big thank you to all those who made the festival so good, in particular Mike Foxley from Penwith District Council, and George and Zoe Payne from The Smock Shop. Paimpol was a magical event and the crew are greatly looking forward to 2007 and the next Chant du Marin.

Photo courtesy of Colin Sanger.