A lovely hot sunny morning - perfect for a little test run out in the bay.
I spent an hour or more catching up with the blog then I consulted the gate opening times list and found that I had only 45 minutes to get out before it closed for most of the day - I quickly prepared the essentials and made out with time to spare.
The forecast gave 4 knots of wind in the morning and 8 knots in the afternoon but I found no wind at all until I was nearly back in the marina !
I was navigating with the Ipad running the i sailor programme - very good but the power level drops rapidly so I fired up the inverter and put it on charge - it still lost power !!
So I turned it off when I could to allow it to charge - I will look for a better fast charger.
Then I noticed that the brand new depth instrument was erratic at times - like the old one was - I am still using the old transponder because it seamed to work fine but not now !
I will fit the new transponder and hope that sorts it out.
Then the new (secondhand) pc monitor went blank - it was running the Seapro navigation programme for a check on the Ipad and for tidal flows - very strong around here - 2 knots when I first came out.
It must be something simple - another little job !
The chart table monitor was fine so I still had tide information.
That's what this little run out was for - shakedown.
I did hoist the main sail hoping to sail a bit but no chance.
It was lovely to be out in the hot sunshine just tootling along trying my best to avoid the masses of underwater rocks in this bay
I spotted one lone dolphin about a quarter of a mile off - on a mission - going somewhere quickly - nice.
The gate re opened at 15.25 and I always give in half an hour for the inrush to settle down - so at 16.00 we were back on our berth.
A big clean up day tomorrow - Wednesday - then a 2am start on Thursday to be at Caen ferry port for 7am - home by 6pm with luck.
That's all for this trip - I will restart the blog when I return to Blazer - Soon !
Mike.
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