MCC Summer Cruise Dunkirk to Ramsgate

Michele

Monday we had a cooked breakfast the. walked into Town, stopped for lunch (baguettes and a drink) at Tout Choud. Wandered up to Hotel De Ville then headed to the Port museum of Dunkirk to go on the three boats. Duchesse Anne, Sandettié and Entreprenant. Then back to Toucan via the carrefour express. Got on the free bus into town for dinner out at the L'Estaminet Flamand a traditional restaurant. We went with the 3 course meal with an aperitif, beer and apple gin €33.50. Starters: pate and cheese tart, main: beef stew with gingerbread! Pudding: crème brûlée and ice cream. Had to walk back at the buses finish about 9pm. A few drinks on African Breeze before bed. Next morning change of plans as the sea state was rough so stayed in Dunkirk and took the bus to Gravelines. Had lunch in a cafe (Giant cheese and ham baguette) then had a wander around the town fortifications then had a well deserved beer in a bar on the square. Bus back to Dunkirk with a stop off at Auchen. Dinner on board (Pan Haggerty with French sausages, potato, onion,courgette, tomato and cheese.) African Breeze crew came for a few drinks on Toucan. Headed to bed early as an early start. Had decided to head home tomorrow as the weather was turning. Up at 6.30 sandwiches (Ham and cheese) and chicken soup made for lunch. Had to refuel and drop the forms of for border control then headed home to Ramsgate. Calm crossing, one possible seal sighting and we saw Wilson (from Castaway) floating in the water. Also had a wooden pallet heading towards but managed to avoid. We saw a Russian War Ship, being followed by a UK patrol ship along with a NATO vessel. Got back to Ramsgate in good time, mainly motor sailing as the winds were not great. Wetherspoons for dinner then home to bed.