Social Log

4th Aug -19th Aug 2025

Eileen and Tim Hoare and family

The best weather we have ever enjoyed here and the first time in August!

On arrival took bed linen out of washing machine and dryer and hung on airers outside. Some items had to be rewashed as the machines had been overloaded and hadn't washed well and some smelt musty from dryer.

JF I think under much pressure to complete changeover quickly and can over fill machines.

No problem for us to hang things out in glorious sunshine.

A few complaints from neighbour Claire about the fan - again! Tim bought a new fan and installed in loft and this seems much quieter and complaints have stopped.

Position of Aldes is on 1 .

The fan in the loft automatically switches to 2 when the extractor fan above the hob is switched on even though the Aldes position remains on 1.

Anyway, pool had a lot of use but the hot tub was hardly used as it was too hot! Lots of fun and games and we all had a lovely time.

Luckily flies had abated so we were able to keep windows open.

Several bbqs (charcoal in cushion box) and nearly all breakfasts enjoyed outside.

The Chant du Marin Festival was great fun and we sang and danced to some quirky bands. All day/night ticket for 35eur including face painting!

Great child friendly lunch at Neptune in Paimpol, Moulin a Mer, and adults enjoyed Auberge du Trieux, Chaudron Gourmand ( the new restaurant on hill) in Lezardrieux, and Le Gouermel.

Went out in the rib for a short trip up to house and then back beyond the bridge. Unfortunately the winterisation alarm came on and engine cut out after 5 mins but then after restarting it was ok. This happened twice. Trieux Marine are aware. See Rib Log for more detail.

Tim bought a new house mobile handset after discussing with Simon. The number remains the same 0780287056

New stair and landing carpet was fitted and is lovely underfoot! The fitters gave us a blunt hacksaw blade and they said using this like a very stiff brush was the best way to remove fluff and crumbs from the carpet. It actually does work very well!

There is a small leak from the top pipe of the new hot water cylinder in the understairs cupboard. There was damp on the floor and wall. A plumber from Alloca is due on Monday 18th August am to sort it.....

All in all we've had a wonderful time.

26th-31st Mar 2025

Jane, Eileen, Brian and Tim

We were there for the SWP (which is covered elsewhere) but still had the opportunity to eat out at the Auberg de Trieux for evening meal and Hotel du Port in Paimpol for Sunday lunch. Both were very good.

The road from the village to the port is closed until end of May so you need to make a short deviation. The bridge is still single file

15th-19th Mar 2025

Simon & Christine

The weather has been very cold and windy, but dry.

We arrived to a clean house, and got it warmed up in half an hour.

We got all the jobs done – Upgrade WiFi, fix VPN for Sky TV, fix Firestick TV

New Smoke & CO alarms installed

HOTTUB Cannisters stored – there’s now plenty for the coming year.

JF cut the grass on the last day.

Everything seems to be working well. We didn’t open the pool.

The new Saint Malo ferry, however, is rather disappointing compared with the previous ships.

28th Jan 2025

Jane and Brian

Lovely to see you all. Kim and Khalid thanks for hosting the meeting. Great food and wine.

25th Jan 2025 - AGM

Khalid & Kim

Great to meet everyone again at the AGM. The agenda was completed.

RIB Log

4th Aug -19th Aug 2025

Eileen and Tim Hoare and family

Oh dear.

First trip:

Engine started easily on choke, idled with choke off, cooling water coming out as it should - all looked good. After 5 minutes at low get out of port speed there was a warning buzz, "Automatic Winterization" (or something like that) appeared on the display, and the engine cut out completely a couple of minutes later leaving us drifting with the tide. Fortunately after waiting a couple of minutes the engine could be restarted, and continued to work normally for another 40 minutes till we were back in port.

Second trip:

Same story. Engine started ok then went into "Automatic Winterization" and stopped. Restarted OK after a couple of minutes and we went back to port (via the petrol pump to top up - 13.5 liters). Total trip time about 10 minutes.

Went to Trieux Marine and spoke to Madame. She suggested it might due to low oil level even though the oil reservoir was only a bit under half full.

Back to the RIB to top up from the 0.5 gallon cannister that was in the bilge. This was empty - used up previously but not replaced. Back to Trieux Marine, who only had a 2.5 gallon cannister (80 euros). Back to the RIB, oil reservoir filled to 3/4 full, old 0.5gallon cannister refilled and left in bilge. 2.5 gallon cannister with remaining oil brought home and put in sous sol.

Trieux engineers will look at the RIB when they return from holiday on about 10 September. I think Hugh will be in residence then.

Madame thought that we were living on borrowed time with the Evinrude. They aren't made any more, spares are difficult to get, etc etc.

Looking at the story of Evinrude and its demise on the internet was instructive. The engine is very technical. I have some doubts that Trieux have invested in the very specific and expensive equipment and specific specialist expertise to maintain it and diagnose any faults, and there may be a lot of guesswork in their servicing. Madam's suggestion that the current problem may be due to the oil reservoir being a bit under half full may fall into this category. Keeping Evinrude ETecs running is a niche business in the USA, and whether there is anywhere in Brittany which has the needful I do not know.

Dec 2024-May 2025

RIB Not used