Good weather continues

As forecast the fine weather allowed us to leave St Peter Port for the short trip to Herm early in the afternoon of Monday. With some rather interesting navigation to undertake despite the short trip we were anchoring off the East coast of Herm by mid afternoon in about six metres of water but out of the main tidal flow. One boat did have to re anchor oon afterwards when some rather large rocks started to appear out of the water as the tide dropped. They eventually became a large cluster that were unmarked on any of our charts.
Arrangements were made to all meet on the beautiful white sandy beach at six and at about that time the nine of us paddled ashore from our dinghys and lit our BBQs. Such a lovely spot to hold a BBQ especially as by that time of day all the day trippers have gone back to the main islands.

Tuesday morning saw us up and about early as we were heading for Isles Chausey, a pile of rocks about twenty miles off shore from St Malo. About forty three miles from Herm we took advantage of some favourable tides and by mid afternoon we were heading for some interesting pilotage that enabled three boats to wriggle through the rocks top the south side of the islands where the moorings were. These were quite busy but eventually we were all secured and ready for another beach BBQ. Sue stayed on board as she had had enough sun for the day and when we came to leave the small island that had been selected I think she made the right decision as the tide drops so far that it was like mountaineering but carrying a dinghy etc on a slippery slope. We all slept well that night.

Wednesday saw us heading towards St Malo in mirror calm water as there was not a breath of wind. We were headed for Dinan, a lovely medieval town about ten miles from the sea but accessible via a hydro electric barrage with a huge lock in it with a second lock further up river. In between and beyond the second lock was some very shallow water. Sue and I were relaxing too much and just missed the barrage lock opening, arriving just as the lock gates clanged shut. We picked up a buoy and waited for the next opening an hour later. Due to our delay we had more water and did not touch bottom once as we headed upstream. Other boats were not so lucky, one stopped five times so by the second lock we had caught up the other three boats that were heading up river.

Tied up to the quay at Taden with friends

We stopped for two nights tied up to an old quay that dates back to Roman times in a beautiful spot near Taden, a village about two miles short of Dinan but so peaceful , too lovely to miss. We had first visited here two years ago and vowed to return. We ate onboard that night with the last of our Champagne for a celebratory glass or two. Thursday saw us exploring Dinan after a peaceful walk along the river bank using a cycle and walking path. Dinan is a lovely place with spectacular views from the old town walls but by mid afternoon a combination of a large lunch and temperatures of 27C saw us retuning to the boat.

Dinan from the quay below the town



Back downstream on Friday saw us at St Malo for a couple of nights before enjoying a good sail across the bay (about 20 miles) to Granville where we are at present. We intend to stay here two nights before heading on to St Helier on Jersey.

Sunday evening 20th June

Four boats joined us in St Peter Port yesterday after one sadly had to turn back with the crew suffering from sea sickness.

This weekend has been quite enjoyable; catching up with friends not seen for some time, making new friends and just chilling out.

Today was Fathers Day and I received two cards (well three if you count one from my six week old now grand daughter) sent to me by devious means via other friends as we had left home too soon. Lovely words and thoughts really meant a lot, thanks kids!
Tomorrow a BBQ is planned on the island of Herm where we plan to anchor for the night before heading off for a night at Isles Chausey, a remote pile of rocks just a little bit special. It should be an experience to be rembered. From there we should head to inland France and spend a couple of days moored at Dinan, a medieval Breton town that we are looking forward to visiting again.

Across The Channel at last !

Thursday morning saw us up early at just before four o clock so that Sue could make a final check of the weather and Yes, it looked good to head across channel as we had hoped.
Leaving the Dart at five we headed off towards Guernsey and with the steady north easterly wind we had we were able to sail as far as the Channel Light Vessel which is a light ship in the middle of the Channel. This is sited on what can only be described as a marine duel carriageway with the light ship marking the central reservation. We had a lot of shipping on the first side but the up channel side was quite quiet. Beyond that the wind virtually disappeared so we motor sailed the last half of the trip arriving at St Peter Port at just after five. As we approached the harbour we were greeted by a sight of the Arcadia cruise ship which was anchored off as we approached her being carried along by the tide at up to ten knots. Twelve hours to travel 72 miles so an average of about 6 knots. We were pleased with that.
We slept well on Thursday night after entering the marina and tying up. We had had a meal while waiting for the sill of the marina to cover and allow our access.
Friday was spent doing the inevitable shopping and having a lovely walk along the coast of Guernsey in the afternoon, in the sunshine. Tomorrow our friends should arrive and we should all start a cruise in company around the islands and beyond.




Half Time in St Peter Port

Monday 14th June

We came back on board on Wednesday 9th June after a few days at home. Our friend Ian very kindly gave us a lift to Teignmouth which we were very grateful for due to all the items we had to take back with us. Because of the scare we had had when sailing to Looe earlier in our cruising we had taken to decision to fit a new chart plotter. Our new one has an AIS input (Automatic Identification System) which shows you boats that have the necessary transponder (compulsory for all vessels over 300 tons) on your plotter and where they are in relation to you. This took me a few days to wire in and get working with all the equipment it is linked to but is now working properly.
We headed to the River Dart with Ian on his own boat (Eonmor V) and spent an enjoyable weekend on a sailing rally with several other boats, enjoying a BBQ on the beach on Saturday in the sunshine at Dittisham followed by a trip taking two of the boats up to the Maltsters Arms at Tuckenhay which is described in the pilot book as ‘ deep as you are likely to get by boat into the depths of rural Devon’. I can understand this as you pass the muddy patches where cattle enter the creek waters to bathe seemingly only feet from your course in the boat.
Sunday saw most boats returning to their home ports and we took the opportunity to go for a sail and check that the new chart plotter picked up commercial ships also. It did and we were rewarded with one of the fastest sails we have had on Half Time seeing 7.7 knots appear on the log, beating our previous best by 0.3 knots.
Monday should have seen us heading across the Channel for St Peter Port on Guernsey but the forecast (once again) said strong winds and with a twelve or fourteen hour crossing we decided that caution was best as we did not want to reach Guernsey feeling shattered when careful navigation was needed We had thought that we would try to make the crossing in marginal conditions but when we woke for a four o clock departure and heard the wind whistling through the rigging and the rain falling on the deck we turned over and went back to sleep, this is supposed to be fun after all. Looking at the weather forecasts now Thursday seems a likely day as long as the weather does not deteriorate by then so hopefully that will be the day we make our next Channel crossing, 70 miles from Dartmouth.

A Weekend in the Lakes

We drove to Manchester on Friday and met Carly coming home from work. We had managed to find a B & B for the Saturday night overlooking Ullswater so spent a restful Friday evening just chatting and catching up with Carly.
Saturday saw us driving to the Lake District and after catching the ferry across Windermere we headed for ‘Hill Top’, the farm that Beatrix Potter bought and lived in for some time until her death when she bequeathed it to the National Trust. So popular is the property with visitors that a timed entry system is in force so after getting our allocated tickets for just over an hour away we found a little park just down the road to have a picnic lunch in.



Hilltop Farm

What a delightful old farmhouse Hill Top is. All items of furniture, pictures etc are exactly as they were when Beatrix lived there; it was one of her wishes that it all remained that way. At different places around the house you can see areas that appeared in some of the illustrations in her books, still recognisable. After the visit and a coffee at the hotel next door we headed off to find our B&B.
‘High Barton’ at Watermillock is built on the side of the valley overlooking Ullswater.


View from High Barton over Ullswater

We found it without too much difficulty and as we got out of the car Pauline (owner) gave us a wave and came to greet us before giving us a tour of the accommodation. There are only two letting rooms but they are superb with everything you need for a comfortable night. Both have lovely views across fields and over the lake. After a welcoming scone and jam with coffee and a chat we decided to go for a meal to a pub recommended by Pauline at Dacre, just up the road. The Horse and Farrier is an 18th century pub that has quite a varied menu, unfortunately a lot of which was not available. We eventually selected something each that was and after the meal we had a walk across to Dacre Castle nearby.



Poor spelling at Dacre school
Next morning saw us, after a wonderful breakfast (so much choice) taking a walk to Aira Force, a well known waterfall nearby which, due to the lack of rain was not as spectacular as it must be at times. After that we meandered through the Lakeland scenery, eventually heading back to Manchester where we stayed at Carly’s again before heading home on Monday morning when Carly left for work.



Ullswater on a still evening

What a lovely weekend !

Home for a while

We came home on Tuesday 1st June as we were in the R. Dart and due to be there again on Friday 11th with a not so good weather forecast in between. We decided to visit our daughter Carly in Manchester for a couple of days and (if we can find accomodation) even fit in a visit to the Lake District perhaps.

Prior to coming home we did manage a visit to Coleton Fishacre, a lovely house in beautiful grounds that was built for the D'Oyly Carte family (owners of Savoy Hotel and Theatre) in the 1930s. It is on the coast, not too far from Kingswear opposite Dartmouth so is a walkable distance from there.



Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear Devon

Yes, we were in Dartmouth at the time of their big fire last week. We were about 100 yds from the seat of the fire as it must have broken out but unaware at the time. By the time we were back on board Half Time the buildings were well ablaze and the fire appliances were arriving. Such a shame for some lovely old buildings to be destroyed in such a way. Not the best time of year for the traders there either.

Our blog may go quiet for a week or so until there is something to be worth entering on it again as we head across the Channel we hope.