Second-tide lucky, the fleet escape Cherbourg and make Guernsey
We made it!
Victoria Marina, St Peter Port, Guernsey Position 49°27.31 N 002°32.6 W
Today was another day, and this time we had two tidal windows to work with.Time Fliesdeparted at 0430 FST but the early morning assessment wasn’t good. Under a moonlit sky Richard and Claire reported that there was still a substantial swell outside the breakwater and they were unable to make any sort of speed towards the Cap. The order from Cruise Leader Neale was for everyone to go back to bed.
At 1045FSTTime Fliesdeparted for the second time to see if the conditions had settled down outside. The team onTime Fliesfound the conditions much improved and the fleet were given the go ahead to move. The 10-knot boats,Pearl TraderandZaniqueslipped their lines at 1215 FST and an hour later everyone was on passage to St Peter Port.
The fleet were blessed with sunny skies for the whole passage, with stunning views off the French coast, the southeastern side of Alderney, Sark and beyond. En route Diana fromZaniquespotted a large Sunfish by its unmistakable large floppy dorsal fin.
On arrival in St Peter Port the fleet were directed to lay-by pontoons to await enough water to pass over the sill. By 1600 the fleet were fuelling and by 1800 boats were beginning to berth in Victoria Marina. With everyone assembled by 1930 it had been a long day, but there was still time for an impromptu pontoon party.
Photos
Seacrest Fairline Phantom 38 in the Alderney Race.
Castaway of Falmouth Sealine S34 with Shell Bay (Herm) in the background.
Crews from Zanique,Petrolia and AquaVit at the pontoon party.
