This was a mixed blessing, however, as we shared 2 very enjoyable evenings in the company of Phil and Katrina, the Australians we'd met in Brighton. They're on their way to the Baltic in Restless Spirit and we wish them an enjoyable trip.
Finally on Friday the weather smiled on us and we risked touching bottom (oh er missus) by leaving as close to low water as possible so that we'd get a favourable tide towards Boulogne.
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| Leaving Eastbourne, closely followed by Restless Spirit |
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| The wreck of SS Barnhill just outside the harbour entrance |
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| Restless Spirit en route to Dover and thence Breskens |
We made good progress although we had to motor sail the first half of the trip due to the light winds. The shipping lanes weren't especially busy and we arrived at Boulogne around 1700 - which immediately became 1800 as we had to adjust our watches to reflect French summer time.
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| Boulogne's inner harbour entrance |
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| Harbour wall with the Naval Memorial in the distance |
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| The Naval Memorial's a bit easier to spot here |
We explored the old town and walked up to the Naval Memorial last year (believe it or not, it took us ages to find it!). The Memorial commemorates the sailors who served with the French navy in the first and second world wars and who have no other grave than the sea.
So why Boulogne and not London then? Well, it was Jo who'd suggested London and ultimately it was her decision to put it off again and thereby avoid the dogleg and expense. Maybe we'll get there if/when we sail around the UK at some point in the future?
The plan is to spend a couple of days or so in Boulogne before heading south to St. Valery-sur-Somme. This looks interesting as the Somme estuary has no water in it for much of the time and the marina is some 5 miles from the sea. We'll be checking the tides carefully and seeking local advice before heading in there!
2 comments:
Hi Rob & Jo,
Years ago when I first started sailing I crewed on a Sigma 36 'Gilken'. We sail up the Somme to St Valerie. The skipper and navigator, pilot book in hand issued their instructions as we wound our way up the very difficult entrance. As the bow man I was sent forward to furl sails and lines. As you have probably found out the sand banks move around a bit. Gilken slammed into one throwing me forward into the steel halyards. My glasses dragged down my face and peeled the skin back very nicely. It looked much worse than it was but I thought the skipper was going to faint. Once tidied up we went ashore and had a great time there. I remember it as very picturesque. Enjoy.
Graham
Ouch! Thanks Graham. Well we made it in OK but we've still got to get out.... As you say, it's really nice here and we'll likely stay for a week - mostly because we like it, but I also have a suspicion that we may be neaped!! Cheers, Rob
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