Make your mind up...!

Simon Tong

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!