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
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.
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