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!!