Simon Tong

A wet start, but two seals, one asleep on the nearby rubbish pontoon, and one swimming by to wave us off on our final leg lifted the gloom. Outside Dartmouth fog threatened, but the fresh westerly gusting at times up to 18kts cleared that away, and with the wind on our quarter we had a great last sail under full sail up to Exmouth. The skies slowly cleared and by the time we were dropping sails and motoring up the estuary the sun was out. Six weeks since we were last on our mooring, it was nice to be home, but also sad that this adventure has drawn to a close. We've managed to do all we had hoped, an overnight sail direct to Roscoff, and then some time in southern Brittany. The Channel Islands were a lovely stepping stone back to England, and the pause in Dartmouth a perfect stop to gather ourselves before the short sail home today. All our work over the summer has paid off. Hopefully there is time for a little more sailing before we turn our attention to next winter's job list.... that Rae has been busy drawing up...!

Sad to be coming to the end of our summer of sailing, but what a great sail back across the channel! After a relaxing day yesterday with breakfast at Christies and a lovely walk along the coast to Fermain bay for a swim we set off rhis morning in light winds that were forecast to increase as we headed north. To begin with we couldn't quite make our calcukated CTS but as the wind backed and strengthened we were soon making haste to Dartmouth. The TSS was quite busy - with radio calls to captains to make sure they had seen us and were happy for us to proceed ahead of them, but the biggest obstacle was a French trawler, IN the west bound channel going back and forth in front of us as we tried to judge our timing to pass behind a large tanker! Once passed that, the wind continued to build with steady F4 now gusting 5 and even with a reef in the main we were making over 7kts through the water. The dolphins were clearly impressed as they kept coming to play pretty much all the way across. By now the sea was pretty lively too and we decided to hove to for 5 minutes- just so we could use the toilet without being thrown around! As we approached Dartmouth the light was fading, along with the breeze and we shook out the reef for the last hour or so, arriving in Dartmouth at 9. A quiet motor up the river in the dark to pick up.a mooring in tranquil, peaceful Dittisham. Looking forward to a rest tomorrow before heading back to SYC.

After a lovely stay on Jersey, with a spectacular walk along the north coast it was an early departure this morning to catch the tide across the s coast and then up to St Peter Port before the forecast strong winds tonight and tomorrow. Forecasts suggest Tuesday will be the best day for heading back across 'La Manche' and this will be the best place shelter and then depart from. It was a great sail over rhis morning, quite a bit of swell left over from previous couple of days (Rae said 5m, but about 1.5!) With strong winds forecast we started with a reef in main and genoa. Despite this we were still making over 6kts through the water, and occasionally 7! A Dutch couple left at the same time in their HR 36 and kindly took some photos of Peggy and sent them to Rae. They went past us as we had to tack past Corbiere point having taken a line too close in, but we managed to keep up with them as we both headed up to Guernsey. Lovely aftrrnoon here now, and we were joined for our lunch by what we think is a Meadow Pippit!

Leisurely morning making use of showers and free filter coffee before popping over to St Aubin bay tomdry out and take the chance to clean her bottom and checknout the paddle wheel which I'm not convinced is reading accurately. Back to St Helier tomorrow to wait out forecast weekend strong winds

A day of changes... We left in beautiful calm conditions thinking we were heading for St Aubyn on Jersey. As we made our way down the estuary we checked forecasts and realised that was untennable due to being open to strong easterlies, and decided we would need to be in St Helier marina. By the time we were at the mouth of the river we had checked out anchorages on N coast and changed the plan to head round to a quiet N coast anchorage. Rae, our resident wildlife spotter saw splashes near by, which turned out to be not the normal dolphons - but jumping Tuna! The plan was to clear Plateau de Barnouic and then calculate a Course to Steer for the west edge of Jersey. However... we couldn't clear without tacking, and when we did the tide was so strong we started going backwards! Decision.... either sail west around, or put the engine on and motor round... which we did. A bit frustrating, but problem solved. After that we calculted our CTS and made for the west end of Jersey. However, as we approach the wind gradually shifted from 100 degrees to 50, not what was forecast, and not allowing us to make our waypoint! We tacked, and shortly after came a strong wind warning over the radio from Jersey Coastguard for 35kts east and north east soon. That explained the wind shift, and confirmed a north facing anchorage may not be such a good idea! Time to change plans again and make for the marina! As we did the wind picked up, gusting up to 15kts and although it was now raining with claps of thunder and lightening we were flying.... and then as we rounded La Corbiere it dropped to 2kts! We resigned ourselves to the engine for the last hour, and were grateful to arrive in the marina. Overall a great day sailing, but a long one!

We ended up staying an extra day with Linda and Roy due to the strong easterlies yesterday, but today it was time to restock the fridge, top up diesel and water and start heading east. The forecasts for the next few days are very unsettled and mixed, so it's a case of one day at a time and keep checking updated forecasts. Today we had pretty calm conditions so had to motor most of the day, although we did have some respite sailing as we passed The Sept Iles. Rounding Ile de Brehat we had strong tidal currents against us at some points, but the journey up.the river in late evening light was lovely. On the waiting pontoon as we were last year, and also like last year, we shall be off in the mornong before the marina opens and sends anyone to collect coins!

I waited until it was light before heading out of L'Aber Wrac'h, the Chenal de la Malouine passage is straight forward enough, but it's narrow with breaking waves over rocks close on the port side and I didn't want to be passing through there not being able to see what I could hear! Once out, the swell from the previous two days winds was still significant, and for the first hour or two had no real pattern, other than being very lumpy, confused and too much for the autohelm to cope with. A nearby 13m yacht who had also come out of L'Aber Wrach at the same time but went round the Grand Chenal was occasionally completely disappearing behind the swell... But after that it settled down and was much more comfortable, although still too much for the sails to hold the light breeze, so it was motoring. As I approached Ile de Batz the wind picked up to 10kts so I managed a little sail, but sea state, and by now lack of tidal cuurent, meant the peace had to be broken again by the engine as I went in to the inside passage of Ile de Batz where Rae and her Mum had made their way to wave me past.... before dashing off to take my lines in the marina! Glad to be reunited, but first looking forward to a few days rest ashore, before we continue east.

When we were last here we were about to head south through Chenal du Four. Since then we've had 3 weeks of great cruising in glorious sunshine in S Brittany. Today however began with rain, the first we've had since leaving the UK. By lunch time though it had cleared to blue skies and the wind was easing. By 4 pm the tide was starting to flood as I left Ile Molene in bright sunshine and 15kts of wind - listening to the 1st Test at Headingly on TMS! Unfortunately the wind steadily died away, and after an hour and a half we were down to less than 7kts of wind, and with swell on the beam and choppy waves on top of that Peggy couldn't make more than 3 kts so the engine had to go on. I did have dolphins regularly visiting though to keep me company. By the time I turned in to 'The Grand Chenal' the swell was really quite significant on the starboard quarter and we surfed in to the mouth of the estuary! By now the wind had picked back up to 10kts and I unfurled the genoa for a lovely 20 min sail up the estuary before anchoring just up river from the marina again. A beautiful evening. Next Roscoff to pick up Rae, who has been sorely missed!

An early start to make sure I had the tide with me up Chenal de Four before bearing NW up Chenal de la Helle and turning off through Chenal de Laz- all very well marked and straightforward if no strong cross curents to deal with. Winds were enough to sail, but not enough to make the speed I needed to arrive in time, so some sailing and some motoring. Molene harbour has visitor moorings, and although there were several boats here already there were a few free, which I managed to pick up OK despite having been deserted by my trusty crew! Not as tricky as SYC! Went for a paddle around the island at about low water when the tide was reasonably slack, a beautiful and wild landscape, especially down the west coast. Must be formidable in winter.

Sadly Rae has had to return home for GCSE results day at school, so I have a few days on my own until she returns on Friday. The steady north wind of the last few days finally died down last night and this morning was almost dead calm first thing. By 11 the breeze began to return and I had a delightful gentle sail around Cap de la Chevre and in to Anse Pen Hir. This a a beautiful bay with stunning folded geology giving rise to a dramatic coastline, incuding the set of sea stacks 'Les tas de Pois' (the pile of peas!). Once Peggy was safely anchored I took the kayak off for a paddle around them, and then down to the other end of the bay where the sea caves and arches are equally dramatic. A beautiful evening now with half a dozen boats at anchor. Time to plan tomorrow...