Last voyage for Jim & Taff
This was to be the last voyage for our two furry ship mates, as they are to travel back to the UK by car and recognised carrier, as it is against the law to repatriate dogs on private vessels.
We left Granville Harbour in a bit of a blow, and short chop over the shallow water. The temperature had dropped by half to 15c Which was bit of a shock. We had a 50 mile passage north, through shallow water and rocky reefs, that would require some precise navigation, a task not helped with the conditions.
Brrrr it’s a bit chilly.
It got worse, the sea got angry, the wind blew harder and it was right on the nose, so the engine remained on until we were able to escape the clutches of the Normandy coast.
Holiday over, lets go home!
As we ventured further north the wind continued BFT 4-5, but backed from NW to W which allowed the sails to take full power and engine off. We made good progress with tide for the next 5 hrs, but inevitably the tide turned and we were battling against 3kts, but at least the sea flattened and we were sailing.
EDF Nuclear Power Plant at Cap de Flamanville
After 10 hrs of rocking and rolling we arrived at the Cap de Flamaville, and the port of Dielette.
Tied up in Dielette, exhausted!
The Port is a remote half comercial and half marina, although neither seemed to be doing much trade. Dielette also has a drying entrance which made timing essential HW +-3 hrs to have sufficient water under the keel.
Dielette, a remote port under Cap de Flamanville
Saturday, and the wind has increased to BFT 5-6, a bit gloomy but the sun is forecast for later. Josh & Sally arrive today to collect Jim & Taff, we hope the weather improves for them.
Josh and Sally arrived
The weather didn't improve or worsen, still blowing BFT4 increasing to 5/6 at times, but made little difference as our new arrivals were glad to be on their holibobs.
Won’t be sorry to leave the tides behind
Sunday we took the car to Carteret, a small Harbour we had passed by as only a few miles from Dielette. Lovely little Harbour, wished we'd gone there instead really as a bit more to see and do!
Time came to say our goodbyes to Jim & Taff, quite an emotional time having your shipmates drive away.
Bye Jim & Taff, see you the other side.
Decided to delay our departure for England until Monday 06.30h as the weather looked more appealing, didn't fancy Alderney Race wind over tide at dusk.