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Although the sea is totally flat calm approaching Fécamp, we must have had some wind for we sailed for 7 hours out of the 14 that it took to cross from Brighton.  The date was Monday the 11th August and this really must count as our easiest ever crossing!

Since Fécamp is not a ferry port, some of you may not be familiar with it.  It is the closest foreign harbour to Brighton, Newhaven or Eastbourne, being just over 60nm away.  The line from Brighton crosses the shipping lanes almost exactly at right angles and both the west bound and east bound lanes are crossed during the first half of the trip.

The wedge shaped, white cliff with coastguard lookout and church atop are quite distinctive.  The entry channel is just at the bottom of the cliff, with the main town to the right.

Sail to North Brittany - 2003

Jenter departed the Gosport Marina at 1120 on the morning of the 2nd July bound for Cherbourg.  There was to be little sailing, however, as the strongest wind we recorded all day was just 7kt!  Our arrival at 0205 the next morning was easy and uneventful.  We stayed a couple of days in Cherbourg as the wind did indeed strengthen and back into the south-west, which did not suit our purpose.

By Saturday, the wind was back in the north-west and we sailed for St. Peter Port on Guernsey.  We managed several hours sailing, but in very light airs.  For those of you not familiar with Victoria Marina, the aim is to arrive as late as possible to avoid rafting-up five deep on the waiting pontoon.  We did not quite get it right and had to tie up for a few minutes.  Out of forty or fifty waiting, we were third to enter the marina and got the only finger berth available that evening; quite an achievement.

We spent several days on Guernsey, which is a great favourite of ours and then, on Wednesday, 9th July, we got up very early indeed.  We had to be out of the marina before 0400 or remain stuck there.  I think we were actually under way by 0330 only to round Castle Cornet and run straight into dense fog.  Almost immediately the foghorn started and it was all we could do  to grope our way back into the pool.  We moored alongside another yacht as quietly as possible and went back to sleep.

By 0930 the foghorn had ceased its dreadful sound and with visibility at about one mile, we departed.  About an hour later, we were back in fog and so it remained for most of the day.  It was much brighter now and one could almost feel the warmth of the sun.  The fog would surely burn away soon.

We were not too worried because we were well away from major shipping routes and were motoring again, due to the lack of any wind.  However, as we closed with the North Brittany shore our anxiety returned.  The approach to Lézardrieux is the trickiest anywhere along this coast and we did not fancy doing it without visual reference.  Fortunately, the sun came out at the last moment and all was revealed.

The rocks surrounding the outer estuary start several miles from the coast and the main channel is quite narrow.  We were hoping to take the last of the flood tide up the river, when the tide would be quietening down.  Our delayed departure meant that this was not to be!  The spring ebb was in full spate and flowing out of the river at several knots.  Out here, in the estuary, the tide was also sweeping us sideways towards the rocks on the western side.  It was, therefore, quite surprising to see a couple of small sailing dinghies ahead of us!

With no wind to fill their sails, they were moving backwards.  One was trying to use a small oar as a sweep, whilst the other was being rocked by the crew causing the sail to momentarily fill.  There was no safety boat in sight and it looked as though they could be in a spot of bother.  As we approached, they signalled that they needed help.  We took both dinghies in tow for a full 45 minutes, passing the Île de Brehat and on right up to La Croix lighthouse at the start of the river proper.  See the pictures above - our good deed for the day.

We arrived at the Lézardrieux Marina at 2020, after struggling against the tide all the way.

Summary of all sailing this year
 

Our plan was to catch the last of the flood up to Cowes so that we need not wake too early.  It was a beautiful morning but really there was no wind.  The log records that we tried to sail for about fifteen minutes and then we drifted a bit.  We did not go very far.  We managed to cross from the mainland to the Isle of Wight and the tide had taken us close to Newtown River.

When it was clear that we could not make Cowes, on what was left of the tide, we had to make a decision.  Whether to motor there, or to have a few hours rest in the peace and calm of Newtown before continuing.  We picked up the National Trust buoy no. 19 and spent a restful five hours watching the wildlife and having lunch.

Peter managed to clean part of the toe rail and apply a coat of the teak oil before weakening and opening a can of beer.

At 1520, we slipped away and had a wonderful sail to East Cowes.  The wind had freshened ever so slightly and Jenter surged ahead.  We were secured alongside before 1800.

The photograph shows us on a visitors' pontoon with the Medina River beyond.  Because of the lack of manoeuvrability, we always try to find a berth as close to open water as possible!

Thursday, 17th April - Cowes to Spider Lake, Portsmouth

Jenter left Cowes at 0900 and initially we sailed well.  We were tacking east into a SE breeze, which gave us a greater impression of speed.

As we approached Gilkicker Point, though, the breeze fell light and we had to motor the rest of the way.  The conditions were very hazy and this was nothing like the sail of the previous afternoon.

After entering Portsmouth Harbour near high water, we motored right up to Sultan Pier and were able to confirm a pick-up time with Jack, the ferryman.  Back on the mooring, we had plenty of time to secure everything and relax awhile before Jack and "Old Bill" motored into view.

Tuesday, 22nd April - Spider Lake to Cowes Yacht Haven

We slipped our buoy at 1050 bound for Yarmouth.  Again we were able to take the inshore passage towards Gilkicker and were sailing nicely in an E breeze.

Passing NE Ryde Middle buoy, the wind died and our progress slowled to a crawl.  Rather than start the engine, we persevered and started to consider our options.  Maybe we would make Newtown again, pump-up the dinghy and dine at the New Inn.  Or perhaps we could enter the Beaulieu River, stop at Buckler's Hard and walk along the river bank to the village of Beaulieu itself.  No, it was not to be.  We just made Cowes again!  To be different, we stayed at the Yacht Haven on the est side of the Medina and dined at the Anchor Inn!

Wednesday, 23rd April - Cowes to Spider Lake

We sailed home hard on the wind with spray flying.  A good force 5 or 6 and we sailed all the way under reefed main and yankee alone.  Inside Portsmouth Harbour, we had some difficulty stowing the sails and then, disaster!

We failed three times to pick-up our buoy.  To stand any chance of catching it, the boat has to slow almost to a stop when, of course, it loses steerage.  On the fourth occasion, the bows blew off the wind and to avoid hitting adjacent boats, Peter rushed back to the cockpit and applied full power.  Unfortunately, we snagged the line between the main buoy and the small pick-up buoy between our rudder and keel.

Several hours later we were still hanging on the buoy, stern first, having failed to free ourselves.  In the end the boatyard sent a diver to cut us free.  This is clearly something that could happen again and we are having to re-think our docking procedures!