Enjoying ourselves in Guernsey.

Wednesday 11th September 2013

Today - Alan and Marlene drove their hire car over to St. Peter port to see us - they found free (3 hour) parking on the harbour and met up with us for a bite of lunch on Blazer.

A walk around town - an ice cream - and a pleasant hour watching the harbour activities.

To avoid driving back to Cobo Bay in the dark - they decided to head back before the rush hour - if there is one on Guernsey !

Thursday 12th September 2013.

This morning we moved Blazer to her winter berth in the QE11 marina and did a big load of laundry early so that we were free for the annual Guernsey air show today.

Alan and Marlene arrived by bus at 10.00 and we were set up comfy on the sea wall with a portable radio tuned to BBC Guernsey for the commentary - a great spot overlooking the display area over the Little Russell channel between Guernsey and Herm.

It was a bit overcast at first which limited the kind of air display the aircraft put on but altogether - fabulous!!

World war 2 aircraft - aerobatic displays - wing walkers - an F16 Jet fighter and to finish - the red arrows - WOW !!

Two hours of wonderful entertainment !!

We had a great lunch in a harbour side Brasserie  with a view over the marina - then back to blazer for desert and a few beers thanks to Alan for a case of the local ale !!

Our last day of the trip and a great day all round.

Friday 13th September 2013.

All tidy on Blazer - sails off - all winter covers on - all secure.

We met with Spike Whitaker - he operates a Guardianage service - he is going to visit Blazer through the winter and check that the mooring ropes are OK - especially after a period of high wind - then send a report by email - wonderful !!

Then it was off to the airport on the bus - lugging as much stuff as we could manage - to find the airport fog bound !!

Luckily it cleared quickly and we took off for East Midlands only 30 minutes late !!

We will have to make a trip down to North Fambridge this weekend to collect the car because - try as we might the ferries and trains didn't work out to travel home that way.

So it's back to work for now - we will look for the bargains on the ferries to visit Blazer through the winter
and plan the next leg of our trip for next year.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Preparing to leave Blazer.

Monday 9th September 2013

Lots of jobs today - mainly dismantling the solid fuel stove and the brass surround.
The brass sheet has become stained by sea water (somehow !!! ) - way beyond cleaning with Brasso or Brillo pads. - I took it all out and sanded it back to bright clean brass with 180 grit wet and dry paper.

When I reassembled it, I gave the brass a coat of yacht varnish to keep the water off - we will see if it's better - looks good for now - but I have measured all the pieces so that I can replace the brass with 316 grade stainless steel when funds allow.

We have considered our options regarding where to keep Blazer.

We have travelled about 360 miles from North Fambridge this trip and it would take a week to ten days to go back.

Our annual mooring fee is due for renewal at North Fambridge  - so it could be an opportunity to do something different.

We have decided to leave Blazer here in Guernsey !!
We have signed a winter contract with the harbour authorities for 3 to 6 months afloat starting 15th of September.

We have booked flights back to East Midlands on Friday this week  - we couldn't find a good way to get the car back from North Fambridge on the way - I will have to go down on Sunday to get it.

This gives us a great place to start next years cruise - going further south - perhaps as far as La Rochell - who knows!!

We can visit Blazer a couple of times through the winter - maybe a week after Christmas?
We could come by car and bring lots of stuff to fit her out for next year.

Tuesday 10th September 2013.

We bought a family day ticket for the buses today - so that we can go to Cobo Bay and meet our friends when they arrive at tea time.

We set off early - got off the bus at Vasson Bay and had a long walk.
We visited a restored wartime bunker with a big gun defending the bay - very interesting.

Our friends, Alan and Marlene arrived and we had a meal in the pub next door to their hotel - lovely to see them.

The last bus was due at 21.20 and we were very cold and wind blown waiting in the pitch dark for it to arrive - but it did arrive - a few minutes late and soon we were back on board - all cosy.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Preparation for our visitors.

Sunday 8th September 2013

A mainly overcast - warm - rainy day.

We didn't venture out much today - a walk around town this morning - no shops open - only paper shops selling a few groceries.

We tidied up Blazer and Jackie cooked a chicken with veg and Yorkshire pudding for our main meal - wonderful !

I had a walk around the harbour - now with 4 westerly boats in + a Konsort for sale - I had a good look over her from the outside - good order - some novel, home made davits worth consideration.

We are considering leaving Blazer here in Guernsey - they offer some reduced rates at this time of year.
Our annual mooring fee expires this month in Fambridge and the winter rate here is only 33 % more per month.

Ferries to the UK are good from here - ( just round the corner in fact ).

We could drive down after Christmas for a week to sort out the heavy stuff.

Security looks good here - the harbour staff are on duty 24 / 7 and they can see Blazer from their cabin.

We will look at ferry costs.

Our visitors - Alan and Marlene arrive on Tuesday - they are staying at Cobo Bay on the other side of the island.

We might look to leave on Thursday after we help them to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Exploring Guernsey - by Bus.

                                                      Blazer at her berth in Guernsey.

Saturday 7th September 2013

Showers forecast for today but no sign of them in the morning - boats from the Royal Guernsey Yacht Club were coming into the marina and rafting up with stern facing the quay where the Prom concert was being staged.
They were all dressing ship and Blazer felt a bit left out - so we did our best - if you click on the photo above you will see that we dressed Blazer for the first time ever with bunting!!

I have been looking for a full set of signal flags to dress ship formally but they are so expensive ( £80 )
So up went the bunting - not bad - colourful anyway.

We then set off to see Guernsey - bought a family day ticket and jumped on the bus that goes right round the coast of the island.

It took 1 1/2 hours and was great - with photo stops thrown in.

We got off early at The Bridge and shopped then had wonderful fish and chips + tea in a cafe near the island power station.

A number 11 bus took us back to Blazer to dump the shopping then off again.
This time we took a bus to an Iceland supermarket not far out of town and stocked up a bit.
Then we got on the same bus route and went to the terminus across the island before it came back to town.

This meant that we went past the airport a total of three times in the day - quite nice?

We were tired out and still full from lunch so only a light tea tonight.

The orchestra had set up by late afternoon and gradually all 500 seats filled up by about 8pm.
A chilly evening - overcast but no rain to spoil all the parties going off around the concert.

BBC TV were there and a big screen to watch the end of the proms at the Albert Hall.
A big beer tent plus food outlets were also busy,
Lots of Union Jack flags waving going on - lovely to see.

Jackie was feeling a bit under the weather so we didn't join the crowds and we had an early night instead - until the fireworks started at about 11 pm !!!

It sounded like another invasion!!

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Exploring St. Peter Port - Guernsey

                                              Castle overlooking St Peter Port Harbour.

Friday 6th September 2013

A cool morning - overcast but clearing - I lit the coal stove - Toasty !!

Our first look around town today - Very busy with all the shops open - a typical British town centre - even a Marks and Spencer !

Cars drive on the proper side of the road and it is English money but notes are Guernsey currency -
Pound notes !!

It's not as cheap here as you might think - even wine costs more than the UK.

We found that we can buy a day pass for both of us on all the buses for £9.00 - we plan to do that soon.

The Harbour is very busy with ferries in and out all day and today there was an Italian cruise ship anchored out off the harbour with passengers coming ashore in shuttle boats.

Because of the massive rise of tide here - 8 metres today - lots of local boats moor to buoys outside the marina so that they don't get locked in by the sill that keeps 2 metres of water in the marina when the tide goes out.

We did find a beach for Jackie - one that is covered at high tide in a lovely bay near the harbour - there are boats anchored there in the sheltered bay - lovely clear water.

We discovered that it is the last night of the proms tomorrow night - Saturday - and there is music and fireworks near the castle - must go to that!

Lots of boats in and out of the marina when the tide is in - all shepherded by the harbour control boats -
a Westerly Merlin next to us now!!

Mike And Jackie Smethurst

Preparation for the next leg

Wednesday 4th September 2013

Another sunny and very hot day !!

Much of today was spent looking at weather and getting set for the next leg of the trip.

Our neighbours - Alan and Dag were doing the same - Alan had to be back in Portsmouth at the weekend for work but crossing the channel in fog was not what he wanted to do.

Dag has decided to pay up and leave his boat in Cherbourg for the winter ( 5 months on the hard standing ) - he will go back to Norway and ride his motor bike back to Cherbourg to check all is well then head off to Spain on the bike. Something about a mid life crisis!!

More woodwork scraping and Jackie oiling everything in sight in the sunshine.

Passage planning in detail for the next leg through the fastest tides in the Northern hemisphere!!

2 days to spring tides of 8 meters range !!

After tea - Alan suggested we all go up to the Yacht Club for a farewell drink and we had a great night chatting and putting the world right - then swapping email contact details - GREAT.

Thursday 5th September 2013

Not a bad morning in the marina but fog forecast with light winds.

We decided to go anyway before the rain and very high winds coming soon.

Off at 09.15 with good visibility until we left the outer harbour then it slowly dropped to 100 yds!

We had to work as a team - Jackie scanning the radar  and me navigating.

Across the top of the Cherbourg peninsular we kept close inshore ( 1 mile ) to catch the inshore back eddy stream taking us West - here we had lots of radar contacts and we altered course to pass them safely - it's the first time I have had to rely on the radar and it was great to see even small boats through the fog.

The contacts didn't show up as AIS targets - they were not commercial craft - except the customs cutter and he didn't want people to know he was comming!!

We put up all sail in the light wind and fished - Jackie caught the biggest Mackerel of the holiday !!

Then the wind shot up to 27 knots in no time !! - all sail down - QUICK.

The timing was to be at Cap De La Hague at slack water at 12 .00 - we were there spot on.

The tide then gradually built up speed to push us along at 3 knots plus the engine which gave us 8 knots over the ground !

The waves were quite manageable and our course led us around the overfalls.

The visibility came and went for most of the trip and then the sun came out and the visibility cleared as we approached the Channel Islands - we didn't see Alderney at all but just when we entered the little Russell channel with it's testing pilotage we had great visibility.

The tide ran very fast past the Rousell tower - 6 knots - and we were off the entrance to St. Peter Port harbour soon after.

As we were entering and trying to sort out the route in - with Jackie reading the instructions from the pilot book - a small boat came to meet us - handing us customs forms and saying follow me please - wonderful !!

We were too early to enter the marina and had to tie up to the waiting pontoon with loads of other boats for about one and a half hours.

We got all tidied up and just after 5 - ( UK time now ) a small boat escorted us to our berth in the marina - very close to the walkway to the shower block and access to town - PERFECT !!

We had a walk around this lovely town - a pint in the seafront pub - thenJackie rustled up oven baked Mackerel with a Spanish omlete and French bread - just the job.

We are HERE !! - our holiday destination - in good time to meet our friends on Tuesday / Wednesday next week.

I haven't totted it up yet - but we must be 300 miles from our mooring in the river Crouch by now - fantastic!!

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Cherbourg

                                                            Big lobster at the Aquarium.

Tuesday 3rd September 2013.

Another sunny day !

We went shopping after a lazy start - due to the late night - no stamina these days.
Then it was off on the long walk to the Trans - Atlantic terminal to visit  -
La Cite' De La Mer.

It was a wonderful day -

First the aquarium with tropical and cold water fish galore.

                                             Spiny lobster - Langouste in French - very tasty.

                                                                      Sea horses

Then we took the tour of the nuclear submarine - massive!
A good tour with commentary in English.

Then we did the Titanic experience tour - very moving - it was housed in the transatlantic building where it set off from on its ill fated maiden voyage.

Quite a day - again.

We are looking closely at the weather now and we have high winds forecast for early next week and fog patches this week so we will press on to Guernsey as soon as we can - maybe Thursday.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Exploring Cherbourg

S

                                                            Cherbourg Marina

Monday 2nd September 2013

Today we set off on foot to explore the city centre which was a bit premature because most of the shops were closed being Monday !

Hot and sunny - lovely - by mid morning we had covered the main city centre and then we arrived at the new shopping centre that includes the very big Carrefour supermarket.

We found a shop similar to the B M shops in England and similar low prices.
We bought glass tumblers, a travel rug and some tupperware type boxes.

Then on to Carrefour - we bought all sorts of nice groceries and wine ( 2 Euros) - too much for us to carry back to Blazer - so we took up the offer stated in the Channel pilot book - we took a trolley all the way to the marina!!
There are a few trolleys there and the supermarket collects them from there.

In the afternoon we met two other boat skippers for drinks and nibbles - Alan from Portsmouth and Dag from Norway.
We chatted for hours and Jackie rustled up a wonderful meal for us all - eaten in the cockpit in the last of the sunshine - wonderful.

Almost 11.00 pm when we did the washing up !

Quite a day.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

St. Vaast - Continued.

Friday 30th August 2013

There were a lot of yachts leaving and arriving today - another lovely sunny day - after a few more jobs on Blazer we had lunch at a different restaurant - GREAT.

                                                 

Jackie had - rabbit terrine with salad to start and an omelet with chips as main course.

I had fish soup to start and mussels in cream with chips as main course.

We had white house wine with it and posh ice creams for afters.

We met a family that spoke English and one of the children took our photo - the dad came from Sheffield !

We didn't have any dinner - we were still full !

On a neighbouring boat - Angele' - we met Mike and Catherine.

We invited them to come on Blazer for drinks and nibbles in the afternoon.

We had a good chat - comparing our sailing experiences - lovely people.

Another big boat pulled in as we had company and Mike explained that their flag was for the
Royal Yacht Squadron !!

All very posh.

Saturday 31st August 2013

A bit dull in the morning but we were on a mission - the market !

It stretched from the fishing boat quay right into town - a true local market - lots of tiny stalls with people selling produce from their own plot - lovely.

We bought live whelks for the starter tonight - then spicy sausage, green beans and potatoes.

Lots of salad including some expensive sausage shaped beetroot - just to try it.

We were looking for a stall that we were told sold hot roast chicken but it wasn't there - but we did find a butchers that sold them - at 15 Euros each ! - not on our budget thank you.

Then it was a mission of packing all our bikes and cockpit canopy away ready for an early departure in the morning.

We have a pretty good routine now for preparation - so it doesn't take too long.

Sunday 1st September 2013

       Blazer in her berth in Cherbourg - looking spic and span with her cleaned and oiled wood trim.

On to Cherbourg !

We were the first out of the marina when they opened the gate at 06.16  - still very dark and blowing 15 knots.

Jackie was tucked up in the sea berth all cosy while I got Blazer well on our way.

It was quite lumpy at first with wind against tide motoring straight into the wind.

I chose to take a course about 5 miles off at the top corner of the Cherbourg peninsular to miss any really rough water if things go wrong - all the other yachts were very close in shore - dangerous with an on shore wind like today - besides I love being well out at sea.

We timed the trip to give us no tide at Barfleur - were it is notorious for very fierce tides - and we put up both sails and turned off the engine when Jackie joined me in the cockpit.

After coffee Jackie started fishing and caught 8 fish in no time - lovely Mackerel for tea !!

As the sun came out and the wind dropped the tide changed in our favour and started pushing us towards Cherbourg at 3 knots ! - that gave us 8 knots over the ground with the sails up !!

Soon we could see Cherbourg and put the sails away as the wind died - we were tied up on N pontoon by 2pm - spot on - 38 miles run.

We ate the fish with the fresh green beans - potatoes and white wine - a fine meal.

A great day and a joy to be out at sea again.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Still More Sunshine in St. Vaast

Thursday 29th August  2013

                                      Waiting to set off on the amphibious bus to Tatihou island.

Another great day.

I turned Blazer round this morning so that with her stern facing the main pontoon I had access to the last of the woodwork that needs scraping.

It was a fairly easy job with no wind - all done gently with ropes spinning her round.

Unfortunately - I didn't think about what I was doing because the bit I wanted access to was still out of reach when I had her all tied up neatly.

So - untie again and move once more - DONE - Jackie said - I could have told you it was wrong !!

Out on the bikes this morning - shopping - fresh baguette and pate' for lunch.

Back at the marina - jobs - scraping and cleaning in hot sunshine - then lunch and showered ready to visit the little island of Tatihou just off shore.

Just 10 minutes to get there on the amphibious bus and an hour or so walking around in the sunshine - great.

The island's history goes back hundreds of years - used mainly as a fort to protect the bay with cannons.

Back on Blazer - It was G & T time for Jackie and two or three glasses of red wine for me

Jackie cooked a roast dinner of belly pork - veg - new potatoes and Yorkshire pudding!!

A boat had arrived in the afternoon - a Westerly Discus ( bridge deck version at 33 feet long)

The owner - a French character - Peter was keen for me to see his boat which is the same age as Blazer but 4 feet longer - he has made a great job of the upkeep.

I offered to show him Blazer and on the way there - I FELL IN !!!

Not all the way in - I tripped over a cleat and neatly descended into the water turning as I fell to grab the side of the boat next to Blazer - I only went in up to my waist but it made quite a splash !!

Peter helped me out and two or three others came to help - it was more funny than anything.

My main worry was that the boat next to me had only just been launched from new recently and was all gleaming varnished wood - a hand made wooden boat - probably cost half a million pounds - I was clinging onto the side of it - did I scratch it ? - not so far as I could see - WOW !!

Luckily the owner was not on board at the time or he would have had kittens !!

I dried out over a game of Scrabble in the cockpit ( I lost again ).

Having the cockpit next to the main pontoon is good - people stop and chat more - sociable.

A new looking  British boat arrived at tea time and the couple on were very chatty - recommending restaurants for us to visit in Cherbourg - We are not quite in their spending league I don't think.

Quite a day.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Hot and sunny in St. Vaast

Wednesday 28th August 2013

                                                                     Taitou island.

We love St. Vaast.

Hot and sunny morning so - off on the bikes - exploring the oyster farm area - the oysters are farmed in heavy duty plastic mesh bags about 30 inches by 18 inches laid flat on a steel bar framework about 8 inches from the sand - thousands of them.

As the tide goes out - uncovering the oyster beds - the tractors and trailers emerge and trundle down the sand tracks between the neatly laid out oyster beds.

They take sacks back to the processing sheds to sort out which are ready and return the ones that need to grow some more.

We went food shopping and then back to Blazer for lunch - local pate on French bread.

Jackie oiled the woodwork that I scraped clean yesterday.

Then Jackie went off to the beach on the bike -  while I got on with jobs on board.

I refitted the top mainsail batten.

Drilled a big hole and fitted a fishing rod holder in the cockpit.

Scraped all the varnish off the companionway surround  and oiled it.

After cleaning up - we went for a walk into town and had a drink in a harbour side bar.
Pinacolada for Jackie and a Pelforth beer for me.

Tea on board - Calamari with macaroni cheese with jam sponge cake for afters - Great!

After tea - we went for another bike ride - this time - along the main breakwater that goes right out into the bay.

A lovely day - we decided to stay on a bit longer here and have paid for another two nights.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

A lovely day in St. Vaast

Tuesday 27th August 2013

                                                      The bikes are out again.

Tuesday morning was hot and sunny and our mission was to see more of this area.

St. Vaast La Hougue is a peninsular forming two bays - one very shallow even at high tide and one more open to the sea and deeper.

There are two distinctive forts  - one on the end of the peninsular and one on the island of Taitou.

We cycled to the first one and found it to have a moat round it !!

It is used by the military - no access.

We cycled  out of town towards the mainland to try and find access to the oyster beds which stretch over a massive area but we didn't find the access - never mind - the exercise was good.

With sore bums we headed for the marina restaurant for a splash out lunch !

 
                                                                   Pate and salad
                                     

                                                        Six oysters with lemon juice.

                                                                      Paradise.

The meal was superb !

Starters of  a rough pate and salad for Jackie and six oysters No.2 (medium small ones) for me - all with brown bread and house white wine from a jug - which tasted like Muscadet - perfect.

Main course was a Pappilote of salmon with Julien vegetables for Jackie - ( all cooked in a cellophane bag to seal in the flavours) - and a very fresh crab for me - they had all the right tools and it was presented just right on a crab shaped plate and not dressed too much - perfect!!

For desert we shared a cold bread and butter pudding with cold custard - lovely.

The sort of meal I dream about while covered in sawdust at work.

The afternoon saw Jackie off to the beach on the bike for a swim and I got on with some jobs -

Unbolt the saloon table - raise the floor boards and mop up 3/4 of a bucket of water left over from a leak - now sealed up.

Then on with scraping the rubbing strake and toe rails ready for oiling once they are dry - now almost finished - we might turn Blazer round tomorrow to let me reach the last bits.
This job is messy but easier here with pontoon access and I have found it to be quicker scraping the teak wet through - yes me and the wood!!

Jackie watched a very poor dubbed film in the evening.

A lovely day in hot sunshine.

We plan to stay tomorrow - Wednesday - plan the trip to Cherbourg - very strong tides around the top of the peninsular and it the weather is good - set off Thursday.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Onward to St. Vaast

Monday 26th August 2013

                                                  Blazer in St Vaast.

Quite a day !!!

St. Vaast is a huge marina with a gate that holds in the water when the area outside dries out as the tide goes out.

The gate is open about 5 hours - 2 before and 3 after high tide.
If you are late arriving - you don't get in!

Can't be late.

From Deauville to St. Vaast is 54 nautical miles - 11 hours for Blazer - too much for Jackie.

03.00 - up and get ready - Jackie transffered to the sea berth in the saloon - you are held - snug - by a lee cloth that stops you falling out of bed.

Off at 03.40 - weather no wind but a bit of swell - no rain - full moon.

The lock at Deauville was on free flow and it was not easy negotiating the channel to the safe water mark with no lit buoys!!!

The course was to pass a wreck bouy - 2 miles off - then turn west directly to St. Vaast 54 miles away across the bay of the Sienne.

4 fishing boats and a big ferry to keep me busy - keeping out of their way - lots of hot coffee - no wind - engine on - tide helping us to get 7 knots over the ground.

Daylight about 07.00 and Jackie emerged shortly after - saying cosy but noisy - still restful.

I cooked breakfast - using the bum strap to wedge myself into the galley - 2 fried eggs and beans on French bread - served on tin dishes - they don't break when you drop them  - (Vic).

Overcast but dry - we were warm enough - wrapped up in our waterproofs.

The wind picked up so full sail on - plus engine - flying.

Jackie suggested we try fishing -

Engine off - still doing 4 knots - Jackie caught FISH AFTER FISH !!!

                                              One bucket - not two.

Lovely Mackerel for tea.

Very exciting - it made the trip- the hand line was working brilliantly with a Mackerel feather on it.

Fishing done - engine on again and full speed.

We fished once more and caught a total of 16 fish between us - Jackie caught nearly all of them.

We arrived at the safe water buoy off St. Vaast - spot on - thanks to the plotter and were tied up by 14.00

10.5 hours - not bad - plus we slowed down to fish - twice.

After a good sort out - we saved the four biggest fish - then gave the rest away to three neighbouring boats.

They were lovely for tea cooked in the oven with garlic - thyme and lemon juice.

Jackie baked a jam sponge and we had our wonderful tea in hot sunshine in the cockpit along with - a G & T for Jackie and red wine for Mike.

A walk into town across the marina gate - we saw a boat selling fresh caught crabs - cheap !!

This is a big oyster production town and one of the reasons we came here.

There is a little island just off shore called Taitou and they take trips there in an amphibious vehicle built for the job - clever - all hydraulic.

                                                     We might have a go on that.

We have booked in here fo two nights for now and the weather looks good for the rest of the week.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Deauville

Saturday & Sunday 24th / 25th August.

Saturday

A late start and a walk into Deauville - WOW !!!

It's like Paris !!!

Very posh - lots of designer label shops - the first of many was Louis Vuton.

All neat and tidy streets - almost manicured - too much really.

A market where prices were scary - high.

One stall selling bespoke violins!

All way past our budget - not even a local supermarket - too posh for that.

We walked over the bridge across the river that divides Doauville from Trouville and back to reality.

Much more down to earth - a supermarket - and a row of eight or ten seafood stalls that were the best we have seen anywhere in the world.

Each stall had massive displays from which you could choose and lots of people eating their choice at high tables with wine and French bread.

We bought good size prawns for our seafood curry for tea.

I bought 6 oysters for Sunday lunch.

We walked down to the Trouville beach and had lunch in a busy restaurant - Jackie had menu of the day - I had mussels and chips.

We fell foul of the language - Jackie's linge of beef turned out to be tongue done in a gravy with gerkins!!

Jackie didn't like it at all and finished off most of my mussels while I ate the tongue - not good.

Shame really - we were both looking forward to a nice meal out.

The wind was due to be force 5 to 7 on Saturday going down on Sunday but raining all day so we decided to stay put until Monday before moving on to Saint Vaast .

The boat was jerked around quite heavily at midnight and I was out sorting better mooring ropes and extra fenders - sorted.

Sunday

A lazy day - A good clean up all round - passage planning while Jackie watched a film.

Raining - drizzle - cold - I lit the fire - snug as a bug!


Mike and Jackie Smethurst

Two More Days In Fecamp.

Wednesday and Thursday 21st / 22nd August 2013

                                            Benedictine Monastery

Wednesday and Thursday we were in Fecamp and really enjoyed it.
We got the bikes out and cycled into town - shopping and coffee at a pavement cafe.
Then down to the harbour and found a great shop selling boating and fishing stuff - bought a wonderful pull scraper to speed up the woodwork renovation as we go along.

We had dinner on Wednesday at a Chinese restaurant by the harbour which tasted good but was re-heated food by microwave !!!  - at least it was cheap.

After dinner we walked around the back streets and found the Benedictine monastery the home of the Benedictine liquour.

Thursday - More cycling - we went further round the harbour - found the fish market - lots of crabs and lobsters in big glass tanks - and people buying them - wonderful.

Jackie had a good long spell on the beach while I did paperwork and more woodwork scraping and oiling.

Friday 23rd August 2013.

Fecamp to Deauville.

Up at 04.00 and off at 05.00 in the dark !!

We had to get into the marina through a tide Gate because the channel dries out completely.

I read up that the free flow period was 10.00  to 14.00 on Friday and we aimed early just in case.

Checked the weather - not too windy 10 to 15 mph E / ESW  - perfect.

It is spring tides now which run really fast - not surprising as the tides are about 8 metres !!

As we left the harbour entrance the tide was helping us along by an extra 3 knots - a first!

Jackie was up with me to leave port but then tried to sleep for a couple of hours on the sea berth with the lee cloth up.
she needed it  - it was lumpy weather - so much for the light wind.

It was bright daylight as we got to the very busy channel for shipping going in and out of LeHarvre.

I counted six big ships all in our\way as we approached - thank goodness for AIS.

We backed off a bit to let most of them pass and then nipped across as fast as we could.

I chose to cross the lane well out (eight miles) to have the best chance of the ships being spread out - they are pretty much nose to tail as they approach LeHavre.

It was VERY LUMPY with wind speeds of 27 Knots !! were did that come from?

We turned onto a direct course for Deauville - head to wind and pressed on.

The tide was with us all the way and we made the 36 miles by 11.00 perfect!!

Not a lot of sailing - mostly motor but still a great trip.

I didn't see the traffic light on the lock keepers office and passed a big boat going the other way in the lock!!

WHOOPS !!!

We were both absolutely worn out but it was so hot and the beach was just over the sea wall that we just had to have an hour on the beach.

It is massive !!  it is about a quarter of a mile wide and two miles long.

It has hundreds of beach chalets for hire at the top - a board walk full length of the beach - posh restaurants and bedouin style umbrellas with curtains around them for hire.

Mike And Jackie Smethurst.

Still in Fecamp.

                                         Fecamp marina.

Tuesday - 20th August 2013

We have booked into here for 3 nights and today is cloudless and hot !!

Jackie was on a mission today - watchout !!

Two lots of laundry was put through the marina laundrette before anyone else bagged it!! 

We went shopping to the local Carefore and re stocked on lots of goodies.

Jackie had a couple of hours on the pebble beach while I did a few chores on Blazer and started to tidy up and oil the toe rail - the first one looks good!

                                           View from Blazer

                                            The harbour entrance.

                                           Very posh houses overlooking the marina.

I cooked pork chops with a shrimp salad starter for tea and we walked out in the evening on the promenade watching the sun go down into a glass flat sea - wonderful.

Mike & Jackie Smethurst.

Dieppe To Fecamp

Monday 19th of August.

We left Dieppe at 08.20 on Monday - sunny but with a forecast of wind @ force 4 to 5 reducing to 3 in the afternoon.

The SW going current was due to start at 11.30 so that's when we left - a bit overcast and blowing.

We had the wind directly on the nose as we made our way out to about 2 miles off the coast then we turned to port a bit and sailed - full sail sheeted in with the engine on as well - we flew!!

It was quite lumpy with wind against tide kicking up short sharp waves but Blazer loved it.

The wind picked up to 20 / 25 knots - bottom end of a force 6 !!

We made fast progress and when I thought we could manage - we turned the engine off and Jackie trailed a fishing line with a mackerel feather - and caught a mackerel!!!

Off we went again in bright sunshine - trying to fish twice more with the line and the rod but nothing.

We were into Fecamp at about 17.15 - both very tired again!!!

We cooked masses of mussels in tomato,onions and garlic - with fresh French bread  and wine plus a little fresh mackerel fried in olive oil.

Quite a day.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.

Onward to Dieppe

LFriday 16th and Saturday 17th August 2013.

 I have had a struggle to get connected  - just managed it through a dongle on the boat computer .

Friday - we set off about 08.20 for Dieppe - 54 miles - a long one.

We had the option of stopping at Le Tuquet but it dries out with the tide and was high and dry when we got there and we both felt good about pressing on - it was only 12.00 ish.

Stopped and tried fishing with the mackerel tackle - nothing.

A fine and sunny morning with the wind on our nose - so motoring hard with a bit of help from the sails.

The wind went round to South West and we flew - the tide helped and we were doing 7 knots for ages - WOW !!

Then we got tired  - the tide went against us - the wind came round onto the nose - we plodded and plodded under engine for hours - it was lumpy - just to make it worse with a bit of drizzle thrown in.

We arrived at Dieppe at nearly 20.00 - Jackie not a happy bunny !!

Dieppe is an expensive marina at 28 Euros per night -( Bolougne 18 Euros).

Saturday dawned bright and sunny - we sorted ourselves out and went shopping!!

The massive local market was in full swing - we really enjoyed it - but Jackie was stunned at the high prices compared to Spanish markets.

A coffee watching the crowds was good.

I bought oysters for lunch and whelks for tea with small Sole fish and fresh green beans - wonderful.

We had a great lunch in hot sunshine in the cockpit and chatted with our neighbours from France.

                                                    Peter and Mariejosie

We invited them to visit Blazer at 6 pm then went off to the beach  - thousands of people on the beach which stretched for miles and lots in the sea too.

All pebbles but we laid out and snoozed for an hour in hot sunshine - lovely.

There was a grass area set up as a world war one American Army camp with a collection of vehicles which looked like they were new!!

All the people were in period dress - even the local girls!!

It was all part of an annual tribute to the Canadian liberation forces that landed on the Dieppe beach on 19th of August 1942 - 550 soldiers died that day !!!

There was a great funfair set up on the grass area of the promenade with what looked like show jumping and other entertainments - Dieppe tries hard in August..

Drinks with our neighbours was great and they know this coast well and gave us help to sort out shorter legs for our journey to Guernsey.

They gave us booklets for Alderney and Guernsey with tips for handling the fierce tides round there.

We had tea - Jackie loved the Sole - and then walked out around town looking at all the nice restaurants full of holiday makers.

A good day !!

The plan is to stay here Sunday  ( high wind) then set off for Fecamp - 6 / 7 hours - on monday.

The wind should be good then and it will speed us up a bit.

Sunday 18th August

We spent the day walking around town - stripping woodwork on Blazer and oiling it  - Jackie was sewing  and sunbathing.

In the evening we visited  our neighbours boat for evening drinks - lovely - all in hot sunshine.

Mike and Jackie Smethurst.