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Author Archives: juliansmart
Short stay in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Free of tide restrictions we caught the tide all the way from Dieppe to Boulogne – with Calais closed to cruisers and the breeze still fresh to strong, rounding Le Cap Gris-Nez was not on the cards – and we … Continue reading
Posted in 2016 Solent to IJsselmeer, Boulogne-sur-Mer
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Damp in Dieppe
Old school. Wet, windy but well protected harbour. Over-priced yet dated facilities – no hairdryer, nearest chandlery half an hour walk upstream (inland). Weird-looking denizens abound. Enticing restaurants surround the harbour front like sirens waiting to prey on those who … Continue reading
Posted in 2016 Solent to IJsselmeer, Destinations, Dieppe
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Flying with dolphins
Corny title maybe but our crossing of the Baie de Seine from St Vaast to Deauville was a spectacular day. The sun was out, and so, optimistically given we weren’t planned on sparing any proverbial horses and we were likely … Continue reading
Posted in 2016 Solent to IJsselmeer, Deauville
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St Vaast La Hougue
First up, it’s pronounced “Sain Va La Oog” – not “Vast”! After two days in Cherbourg provisioning, bilge cleaning, winch overhauling and le plouc’ing – after I got lost finding Le Pantagruel, our favourite restaurant in Cherbourg, it’s off to … Continue reading
Winch cleaning and Carrefour by tender in Cherbourg
A fast sail with the current from Braye round the Raz de Blanchard into a damp Cherbourg was our last stretch with Secret Agent before they returned across the Channel leaving us to continue on our way by ourselves. Leaving … Continue reading
Alderney (Aurigny)
On relaunch rather than return to our berth we sailed directly out of Portsmouth Harbour and took the tide down the Solent for a decent head start the following morning. Left our mooring just outside Yarmouth breakwater at 0530 with … Continue reading
Posted in 2016 Solent to IJsselmeer, Alderney
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Ready to cast off?
(the long version) Two weeks to go … After a long layoff it’s time to cast off once again. House warmed, new school settled into and life back on land more or less readjusted to but the summer is here … Continue reading
Sundowner in the cockpit … but not quite the number of layers we’re used to
Yes, we’re back. Yes, it’s cold. Yes, we’re happy to be back. Even if we’re less than ecstatic about the drop in temperature (of both the air and the water!). Why oh WHY can’t the UK be (just a little … Continue reading
Posted in Latest position, Life on board
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Not quite up to scratch
Extract from ship’s log – 22nd May 2015 “1344hrs 18°20’53N 64°47’47W. Dissatisfied with the much vaunted Druif Bay / Honeymoon Beach (what is paradise to one is the pit of despair to another), we’ve arrived back in Caneel Bay after weighing anchor at … Continue reading
“Who wants to go to the beach?”
“Who wants to go to the beach?” “Not me” – “No thanks”. Really? Yes, really. It’s sunny, water 28°, beach 32° and rising, pleasant mild breeze. I guess you can have too much of a good thing – especially with … Continue reading
Khujada 2 