Information
- Distance (nm)
- 225.61
- Hours
- 61.00
- Average (kts)
- 3.70
We planned to be in the UK about a week and used the time to go over the yacht, cleaning it up after the big trip. As the engine was ready for its first oil and filter change we engaged a local Volvo Penta shop to handle it for us. We also had the hull polished and waxed and it looks great. Tracy joined us at this point as she was visiting friends in the UK and decided to stay on board for the rest of our journey south. Fantastic! We got a look in Southamption at the Clipper Round the World Fleet ready to depart the next day to begin their journey. While they looked fast, I'm sure we were living in way more comfort than their crew!
After almost a week of English Pub Food (sorry UK!) we were ready to leave for France. We headed down the Solent and past The Needles and across the Channel toward Camaret, France. While the wind was nice at the start of our journey, we ended up motoring for the rest of it. Crossing the Channel was no big deal but at one point we entered a fog bank and turned on the radar. Immediately we spotted two dozen targets around us and wondered if the radar was really workng or not. As it turned out, some sailboats were having a regatta and all got caught in the fog as well. Without the radar we might have hit one! Thanks Furuno...
Later on we pulled into a nice anchorage off Camaret in time to head to town for dinner. Upon our return to the dock with our dinghy we found the tide had left it high and dry! Sean jumped into the mud to retrieve it and get it floating again. We all clambered in and set off back to the yacht. You perform all the correct tidal calculations for passing your yachting exams but reality hits when your dinghy is dangling by its painter. These were big tides too, 3-4 meters!