Late-season anchorages that still feel sheltered

By late October most guest harbours have pulled their pontoons, the cafés are shuttered and the water is a few degrees warmer than the air. It is the best time of year if you dress for it.

What matters now is shelter from the south-west, where the autumn lows usually come from, and a bottom that holds. Clay is forgiving; the thin weed over rock in some of the outer coves is not.

Our rule of thumb: if the forecast gusts are above twelve metres per second, we stay inside the larger islands and accept a shorter day. The light is lovely either way.