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.
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