Our passage to Guernsey coincided with a period of big spring tides, with a tidal range of around 7 metres, and currents round Cap de la Hague of up to 6 knots. We opted to time our passage for soon after high water Dover to minimise the tidal flow in this potentially lumpy area, and also to take a route well offshore to avoid the back eddies which hug the coast and have hampered our progress on previous occasions.

Once we turned south-west we throttled back, switched on the in-flight entertainment, and made a leisurely passage through the Alderney Race, although at times we had up to 9 knots of following tide. This tactic was in order to delay our arrival in the Little Russel channel until near high water, which would aid our passage through the myriad of rocky outcrops as well as taking us nearer to the entry time for the Victoria Marina. We followed the 220° leading line between Guernsey and Herm, although with another thick fog upon us there was no sign of the transit marks until the Platte light suddenly appeared to starboard as the fog cleared.

The World - the floating apartment block for the rich and richer - was anchored outside the harbour, and we wondered what special occasion on the island had prompted their visit. Although it is undoubtedly very sumptuous on board, we were happy in our own little "world", arriving under our own steam and in charge of our own destiny.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 45 nm

Total to date: 523 nm

Avg Speed: 11 knots

Duration: 4 hours

Wind: N/NW 1-2

Diesel: 100 litres

Mooring: £18

Electricity: £2

Charts

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