Gale in Granville

                                                                   Granville marina

Wednesday 21st May

After a bit of a rocky rolly night we got new neighbour's - Carroll and Danny on Jemima - a Westerly Fulmar.

It was a poor day - raining on and off - we shopped and explored - a nice little seaside town on a peninsular.

The marina is behind a harbour wall and we were berthed in the only available space opposite the harbour entrance which was open to wind from the South. When the tide went out the water was kept in the marina by a sill which kept things nice and calm.

                                                                   Jackie sewing.

We set up the sewing machine and re-stitched the sail cover and spray hood - just in time as it turned out.

At 5pm we invited our neighbours for a glass of wine and we chatted about our boats and travels lovely.

That night (wednesday) we went to bed in calm wind and the tide out - about midnight the wind was howling and the tide had come in - waves were comming straight into the marina !!

Both westerlies were rearing up and down - straining at the mooring ropes - then we heard our neighbours outside. - I dressed and went to check things out and found them adjusting their mooring ropes to stop their anchor bashing the pontoon!!

We all worked together and and added lots more ropes to sort things out.

Back on Blazer things were very uncomfortable - we were being chucked about all over - so little or no sleep!!

Next morning (Thursday) all was calm while the tide was out and we tidied everything up and explored the lovely little sea side town.

At tea time we went to visit our neighbours on Jemima for drinks and nibbles lovely.

That night the wind strength increased with gusts recorded at 40 knots !!!
Blazer was jumping up and down - snatching at the ropes and sometimes bashing the pontoon!!!

I was up three times through the night - adding ropes and shock absorbers + extra fenders but made little difference !!! - No Sleep Again !!!!

Friday 23rd May

Enough of this lot - we set off at 13.00 in lumpy conditions for St.Malo.
We had a pleasant trip of 26 miles sailing and motoring.

We saw Dolphins again - a pod of about 7 - 50 yds off going in the same direction as us but they didn't come any closer.
A while later one dolphin surfaced alongside Blazer but we only saw it once. - Lovely !

The approach to St. Malo is very rocky - right out to sea - so we took no chances an used the deep water route into the harbour.

We moored in Bas Sablon marina which has easy access - at the side of the Brittany Ferry terminal.

Saturday 24th May

We found a great laundrette near the marina and washed lots of stuff - while it was washing we explored the lovely town - shopped at the little Carefore and bought pastries to die for !!!

At 13.30 we motored Blazer round into the main harbour to lock through into the marina Vaubin on th 14.00 lock but were beten to it by a huge cruise liner!!

                                                                Liner in the lock

We had to pick up a waiting buoy for two hours while the liner cleared the lock!!

                                                               Blazer in the massive lock.

We had no bother locking through and moored up in a quite full marina near the walled city of St Malo.

It is very a very popular tourist destination with a maze of streets lined with restaurants and tourist shops.

Sunday 26th May

We woke up to find Jemima moored at the side of us - they had come in early that morning!!

We walked right round the walls of the city - had a great lunch - mussels and frites for me and an omelet for Jackie - very reasonable.

                                                     Fast cat entering St Malo at low water!

In the afternoon our neighbours helped me to climb the mast to try and coax the radar to work - it had seized up again - more oil helped but I think the bearings are corroded.

A great day - Sunday lunch of chicken with all the trimmings - we watched a film on Blazer in the evening to round things off.

More Jersey.

                                                       Red hot in St Aubin.

Sunday 18th May.

We hired a little car for two days !!
It was a Smart car with electric roof !!
It was eco - the engine stopped every time the car stopped - pretty good.

                                                                  St Oenes Bay

First stop was to the surfing beach - the longest on Jersey - St Oens Bay.
I found a sea food shop on one end of the beach amazing!!

                                                       Live Crabs in tanks.

It was a world war two bunker converted into seafood storage and a shop.

                                                     Spider crab - wonderful !

Next stop was St Brelades Bay beach - the best on the island in my opinion.

                                                  Paddling on St. Brelades beach.

We hired deck chairs and enjoyed really hot sunshine for most of the afternoon.

Monday 19th May.

Off in the car again today to see the rest of Jersey - mainly the East and North coast.

We had a good run round with shopping for food bits while we have the car - a picnic on St Oens bay.

We took the car back and went shopping in St Helier - Jackie bought a great Kaftan and we managed to find a couple of computer bit we needed - great !
Then back on board to prepare for the next leg of the trip to Granville.

We worked out that in order to arrive at Granville in time to get over the sill into the marina we would have to leave at 06.00 - this meant moving to a pontoon outside the marina so that we could leave before the gate opens.

Tuesday 20th May.

I knew that the forecast was for strong wind for the early part of the morning (force 4 to 5) then going down to 2 to 3 with sunshine. Rain was forecast for 04.00 and none after - it didn't work out like that.

We left a bit early 05.30 with Jackie below trying to sleep!
We went out straight into a force 6 with wind against tide!! - Wallop!!!!
With the engine flat out we were bashing through the chop - like riding a bucking bronco!!
It was blowing 25 Knots continuous 27 at times!! - straight at us - we struggled to make 3 knots!!
I considered turning round but Jackie said she was OK - carry on!!
It gradually calmed down a bit and I tried the foresail when the course allowed.
The weather was grey - overcast - cold - we pressed on.

I stood up to take a good look forward and caught a glimpse of a black fin in the water just off our port bow.

!!! DOLPHINS !!!

We could not believe our eyes - a pod of dolphins swam with us for about 10 minutes !!!
There might have been 6 of them - more on the starboard side than the port.
One big one jumped well out of the water at the side of us.
One dived right across our bow - very close.
Wonderful !!

This trip involved navigating around lots of rocky areas and I set a course well clear - we were about 3/4 of a mile off the island of Chausey when the heavens opened up and all visibility went!!
The wind went round to a different direction the sea surface was shattered by the really heavy cloud burst.
I managed to put the foresail away and keep a bit of a lookout when I saw a boat crossing in front of us.
AIS said that it was not a threat - (great tool)

We then turned the corner and headed straight for Granville - we were in for 13.00 - Shattered!!!

After a quick walk into town for shopping - tea - we crashed out early - What A Day!!

Ready For Off.

                                                    Blazer - now with sails on - Guernsey.

Thursday 15th May

Another sunny and warm day.

We collected our parcel from the harbour masters office - Thanks Marlene!! - Sorted.

We bought an all day bus ticket and went to Iceland supermarket for some good value bits and pieces.
Later we took another bus to the Guernsey B & Q !! - I was surprised they had one - to get hardware I needed.

Chicken Carbonara for tea and all set for off in the morning.

Friday 16th May

We left our Berth in the Victoria Marina about 07.45 am and went across to the fuel berth so as to be first in the cue when they opened - to find a boat was already there!
There was room for two and we quickly filled our main tank and quietly filled a reserve 5 gallon can with very cheap duty free diesel.

We moved to a layby pontoon and made final preparation for sea - then off in sunshine and a gentle breeze from a good direction for once!

We attempted fishing with no luck and pressed on south with full sail and engine on to make 5 knots.
The wind off the sea was cold and Jackie was suffering even with bright sunshine.

I tried the new cockpit stereo  - £1.50 at the car boot - it worked really well - playing from the ipod.

                                                    Fast Cat from Jersey to Weymouth.

We spotted the Condor Fast Cat a good way off - powering along - I Googled it some time ago and discovered how it goes at 40 knots - it has four 10,000 horsepower engines!!!

                                                          A Trawler with nets down.

Jackie finally gave in to the cold breeze and went below to wrap up in the bed quilt and warm up.
I switched to classical overtures on the stereo - fantastic!!

We rounded the South coast of Jersey - spot on track - and lined up for the west passage through the off lying rocks to St Helier marina.

                                                            Waiting to go in.

We were too early to go straight in and we rafted up to a French boat with four lads until the tide came in enough to go in.
We tied up and after a lovely meal of Coq o Vin we set off into town to explore.
The marina is right in the town centre which is a lovely busy town.

Saturday 17th May.

I had a major sort out in the cabin and de-cluttered all areas.
I then got our bikes out and we set off along the promenade to find a beach.

St Aubins bay is the closest and we settled down near a tiny cafe - hired a sun bed and boiled in the very hot sunshine.

It is spring tides at the moment and the sea retreated about half a mile!!

Lunch of Panini with salad - lovely coffee and a small home made ice cream - all from this tiny shack - impressive.

I set off on the bike to locate my old bosses house which was nearby and when I did - it was obviously empty. - he died three years ago - I hoped to contact his family but I don't have any contact telephone numbers.

Never mind - at least I saw the building - a very upmarket apartment block overlooking the bay.

After a great sunbathe we returned to Blazer - changed and set off into town in really hot sunshine.

We shopped and sorted out a nice little car to hire for tomorrow - then found the market square with, what looked like a food festival clearing away. shame we missed it.

We sat down at a Greek Taverna in the square and had a great meal - olives and garlic bread starter - then a seafood Meze for Jackie and Mussels ala Chef for me - a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc - perfect.
Jackie had lemon merangue pie and I had chocolate cake for afters.

                                                                     A very hot spot.

Back on board - we invited our neighbours Jan and Dave on Tindalooe over for a chat and a glass of wine.
They live on Guernsey and know the area well - we got some really good advice for when we move on and had a great chat. - a lovely day altogether!!

Spring and Summer Cruise 2014

                                                          Blazer in her winter berth.

Monday 12th of May 2014

Well - It has seemed like a long winter!
Blazer has survived quite well despite the storms and being rafted up with another Westerly in the corner of the QEII marina in Guernsey.

The marina staff rafted her up after we left and made a very good job except that they used a rope that was new and specific for the foresail - it got chafed !

Never mind - Everything else looks good - she has even kept very clean.

I did visit once through the winter - by car - to bring down as much heavy stuff as I could and to service the engine.

We arrived by plane - Aurigny - sunshine but windy - with four cases!!
One case - Mike's - caused the flight to be a bit delayed - it was labled with my name and address as you should but we forgot that the original luggage tag had Jackie Mcdermott on it as well.
Plus the fact that we checked in on line - then checked the cases in at the desk - the system flipped!!!

The plane was a 70 seater (not Small) but the overhead lockers were a slightly smaller than normal and one of our hand luggage bags was a tiny bit too big although it is carry on specification.
It went in the hold!!
Otherwise - we had a pleasant flight - just about an hour.

A very nice taxi driver dropped us off at the top of the ramp down to the pontoon - 20 yards from Blazer!!

We just crashed out that first night - we had packed a lot into that day!!!

Tuesday 13th of May

                                                            QEII Marina.

Sunny and warm but a cool wind - quite strong.

Unpacking  today plus stowing everything properly.
We had morning in town - shopping at the Co-op in the market square ( a beutifull building) - a capucino coffee at a pavement cafe then a fabulous lunch!

We found a great little French Bistro near the harbour and had the set menu - Coq o Vin.
It was wonderful - together with a bottle of Sauvignon Blank - (not sure about the spelling).
A good start to the trip.

Engine checks and a visit to the harbour office to settle the bill for winter mooring.
We  met with the assistant harbour master, Mike Goudion, who was very helpful - he suggested we move round to the Victoria marina until we leave at no extra cost !!!

Wednesday 14th of May

We moved round to the Victoria marina first thing this morning - just after high tide.
A great fried breakfast with French bread and then a walk around the shops to get items we need to do some upholstery in the saloon - very helpful staff at Creaseys.

We worked together to put the sails back on in sunshine and very little wind - perfect!

Salmon salad tea with boiled potatoes and then a walk to the castle.

There was lots of activity with the rowing club in full force - rowing from Havelot bay right across to Sark!!
Scores of boats - some with one, two and four rowing - all sorted by stewards on shore with a megaphone!!

The kids were learning to sail in tiny dinghy's on a shallow pool in front of the yacht club - fantastic to watch them scudding around the buoys time and time again.

We plan to leave for Jersey on Friday after we get a parcel from Marlene - I have only gone and forgot all the ships documents!!! - What A Dope.