A French sill

We left Guernsey with some pangs. One day is not enough to enjoy the island. Nic expertly turned Sirena around in a crowded rafted berth, and we waited around for several hours on an outside pontoon for the right hour to set off. 

Massive tides govern all your timings around here, and we could only leave St Peter Port and enter Carteret in France at specific times. It was a straightforward trip to Carteret but winds were so light we had to use the motor against the tides at first.

On the chart, the approach to the harbour is green not blue...in other words, half the time there is no water to get in to the harbour, just mud.

We and our rally buddies had worked out when to arrive safely when there would be enough tide to cover the green stuff.

There is a metal sill which operates when the tide rises. A tidal gauge shows how many metres of water are available, which is quite comforting!

After we arrived safely we did a clichéd yachtie thing, and had a pleasant G&T with two rally friends on board our boat. There was time to tidy the boat and eat a bowl of pasta before collapsing into bed.

We had decided we could only afford one day in the pretty Normandy town of Carteret, as the weather will turn against us in a few days, so we are planning a 20 hour trip back across the Channel on Thursday to arrive in Devon Friday morning.

Sadly Wednesday turns out to be the day many shops close on Carteret, particularly the boulangerie. Nic rigged up a wonderful sun shade over the cockpit (see pic) as it is stinking hot.  We had to trek 20 minutes each way in the heat to the Customs office to have our passports stamped for entry. And tonight we must trek back to have them stamped for exit. 

The usual cursing of Brexit ensued, a disaster which has made every yacht-owner's life so much harder.



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