Sue Harwood

Departed St Vaast 1130 after evenful effort to refuel. Very little wind so motored around Pointe de Barfleur, helped by very strong ebb tide pushing boat along at 10kt (briefly) with engine set at cruising 2000rpm. Several cardinal marks to stay correct side of. Wind picked up to 15kts but not until about to enter Cherbourg’s outer harbour so sails not hoisted at all during passage.

Delayed departure since gate at St Vaast not due to open until 2000. Very little wind initially so motored. Wind picked up after lunch & had a good beat with a following tide. Wind backed and increased so reefed sails and beat upwind into St Vaast outer bay, dropping anchor at 1830. Ate supper while waiting for gate to open.

Departed Le Tréport through lock at 0810, flat water with v little wind. After four hours wind picked up so sailed & hoisted cruising chute on close haul since winds still light. Winds dropped so back to motoring. A lovely day cruising along the alabaster coast.

Departed Eastbourne 0600, initially v calm & hardly any wind. Then entered fog which cleared after 1 hour. Enough wind to sail after shipping lanes, motored final two hours until wind fell away. Very tight alongside berthing in Dieppe but had lots of (Dutch) assistance 😊

Left Gosport approx 0920. Sailed through gate in submarine barrier and picked up Predict Wind Track. Good spring flood tide 1000-1400, then wind dropped tide turned foul so motored remainder of passage. Finally locked in to Sovereign Marina approx 2100.