A gloriously sunny morning and an afternoon high water left plenty of opportunity for the fleet to enjoy the various pleasures on offer in Deauville and Trouville; including shoe shopping, lingering over coffee & croissants and taking a stroll on the famous sandy beaches. By high water -3 there was sufficient water in the entrance for the lock to start operating and we joined the slower boats on the first lock for an early start to Fecamp.

Our passage took us west of the buoyed channel into Le Havre and well clear of Havre-Antifer, the artificial harbour for the enormous oil tankers which are too big even to use Le Havre. With strict warnings about not passing too close inshore we were surprised to see Calm Voyager well to our starboard side, but as Tom later explained it's OK for him to risk a fine but not the whole fleet! Another perfect day for cruising gave us chance to enjoy another selection from our DVD library.

As we approached Fecamp Pointe Fagnet made a conspicuous landmark to port of the entrance, topped by the Signal Station and the now partly ruined seaman's Chapel of Notre Dame de Salut. We dined again in the company of friends, enjoying the Menu du Pecheur at La Maree, the well-recommended restaurant on Quai Berigny above the fishmonger of the same name. From the marina we could just see the gothic spire of the Benedictine Monastery, one of the must-see visits of a stop at Fecamp. Unfortunately a morning of solid rain and an afternoon departure scheduled for 3pm meant we would have to leave this pleasure for another visit.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 38 nm

Total to date: 732 nm

Avg Speed: 11 knots

Duration: 3:30 hours

Wind: SW 2-3

Diesel: 138 litres

Mooring: €28

Electricity: Included

Charts

AC2146

AC2613