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.
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.
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