Today's passage was designed to bridge the gap between our Normandy cruise and Holland; a functional trip whose main aim was to stop in Belgium for duty free diesel. It was a much better cruising day than our last passage, although our sailing friends, departing this morning for Dieppe would no doubt be frustratingly becalmed. We could pass close inshore to Cap Gris-Nez before turning north east to coast along the Pas-de-Calais.

Once clear of Cap Blanc-Nez we dodged the continuous stream of ferries entering and leaving Calais and made our way east towards the buoyed channel that runs between the sandbanks off the north coast of France.

As it was a fine day we went at displacement speed, making next to no wash and using very little diesel. On the five hour passage we had time to watch Saturday Night Fever, the director's commentary, VH1's Behind the Music documentary and the deleted scenes. We chose the Royal Nieuwpoort Yacht Club (KYCN), to starboard as we entered the harbour, thinking it was nearer the town. In fact the town is south of the three marinas and a long walk from all of them.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 60 nm

Total to date: 873 nm

Avg Speed: 10 knots

Duration: 5:45 hours

Wind: WSW 4

Diesel: 191 litres, 0.50/l

Mooring: €26

Electricity: Included

Charts

AC2451

AC2449

SC5605.11