We had planned a second day in Cherbourg today, expecting strong winds and lively seas, so it was with some surprise that the crew were awoken at 0500UT and told to get ready to go. A change in the forecast meant that our planned Tuesday passage would not be possible and the tides meant that an early passage was the only one possible. Within the hour we were on our way to Cap de la Hague, aiming for slack water around the headland.

Once into the Alderney race we experienced strong following tides, up to 5 knots at times, meaning we made better than expected progress and we had to reduce our speed in order not to arrive in St Peter Port too early. The fuel berth has insufficient draught at low water and so we only wanted to arrive around 3 hours before high water. Once fuelled up, we were met by the harbour master's dory, who directed us to the waiting pontoon for the short wait until the marina sill was accessible.

The custom's officer, also water borne, studied our custom's declaration carefully before deeming it acceptible; disconcerting as we had stopped at the Normandy Wine Warehouse on our way through Cherbourg, with the inevitable consequences (a list to port).

Tuesday was spent making a tour of the island, by the very efficient and low cost bus service. We made a stop at L'Eree Bay on the west side of Guernsey, and were impressed by the rocky coastline and the small boats sheltered between outcrops. Lihou Island, publicly owned by the states of Guernsey, is accessible by a causeway at low water.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 45nm

Total to date: 985 nm

Avg Speed: 14 knots

Duration: 3:15 hours

Diesel: 179 litres (est), 31p/l

Wind: S/SE 3-4

Mooring: £17/night

Electricity:£2/night

Waypoints

Cherbourg West
49 41.00N 01 39.40W

Basse Brefort NCM
49 44.00N 01 51.00W

Cap de la Hague
49 45.00N 02 00.00W

Platte Fougere
49 31.50N 02 28.00W

NE of Beaucette Marina
49 30.00N 02 28.00W

St Peter Port
49 27.50N 02 31.10W

Charts

SC 5604