Now in France

Finally left UK at 6am Saturday, Very little wind so motor sailed as we wanted to get there before it got dark and cold - which is a problem (along with condensation at night) at this time of year.

Had a close dance with a huge ship which was a bit scary but lessons were learned. We had right of way but the ship was getting very close and the AIS indicated that we were on a collision course so we altered course. The ship altered course at the same time, putting us on another collision course. I went down to call him but he called me and asked why I had altered course - I responded - in a somewhat higher pitched voice than normal - that I would return to my original course if he would stay on the current course please, He should have altered course well before he did but we should have called him earlier before we altered course in order to determine his intentions. Phew....

And then came the dolphins - at least 20, and probably more, playing round the boat for a good 15 minutes, swimming under and around us and leaping about. It was brilliant - never seen more than the odd one before in the channel. Scruffbag and I were grinning from ear to ear the whole time,

So - now in Cherbourg for a week - wall to wall sunshine at present - moules frites tomorrow and maybe Alderney at the weekend, It's a hard life ...

Escape From Neptune Marina

Finally broke free on 8th September and are now underway. Scruffbag is, at last, sound in body. We  are currently in Poole Harbour with a force 9 gale howling outside the boat. We travelled here in 2 legs, stopping at Brighton for 1 night after a 24 hour trip before getting up at 2am for the sail here. We were very fortunate in having the sailing expertise and excellent company of Mr. T (or should I say Mr G & T) on the  trip to Brighton. Fortunately the Tesco's opposite the harbour here does sell Gordons.

The autohelm  (George)'s pin was shaken loose in the disturbed seas en route to Poole but fortunately the wind vane, Nat, was on hand to take over so minimal steering was required. We had hoped to be able to add a picture of me grinning inanely whilst scanning the confused waves for lobster pots off the Isle of Wight  which lurk in wait for unsuspecting propellers but the camera battery was having none of it.

Next stop Cherbourg when wind abates - so maybe photos then.