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.
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!!
It was a world war two bunker converted into seafood storage and a shop.
Next stop was St Brelades Bay beach - the best on the island in my opinion.
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!!
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