An overnight thunderstorm gave us some weather concerns for today's passage but with a forecast of 2 to 4, increasing to 5 later we decided our 9am departure should see us safely inside Ouistreham harbour before the wind strengthened. We plotted a course well offshore of the Antifer terminal and then headed south west for the coast. Smooth to slight seas made it a very pleasant passage and the only event was to pass close by a British superyacht making its way towards Le Havre. We had timed our arrival for 2pm to coincide with the first inbound lock of the day as per the schedule given on the port's website at www.calvados.equipement.gouv.fr/marin/horaires_p_s.htm

Unfortunately, when we arrived we learnt that due to drought conditions the number of locks had been reduced from five to three and we would instead have to wait until 4pm. Although we would still be in time for the 4.30pm bridge convoy to Caen, this meant we wouldn't be able to make our planned stop at Pegasus bridge. After a frustrating but unavoidable delay we locked through successfully getting our five boats to the front of the queue with a Le Mans start and some neat manouvering. We were almost defeated at the first bridge as we could barely make it in time without exceeding the speed limit. The bridge lifted for a waiting yacht and then closed again just as we approached. Fortunately, a trip boat was coming up behind and the bridge lifted again a few minutes later. We were expected at Caen and found plenty of space and relaxed on arrival with a meal at L'Embroche, in the old Quartier Vaugeux.

With our Broom engineer due to visit for routine maintenance the following day we had to forego the Battlefield Tour which the rest of the party had booked, but had chance during the day for a look round the huge Chateau des Ducs. Started in 1060 by William the Conquerer (then William the Bastard) the rampart walk offers commanding views of the city.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 49 nm

Total to date: 1754 nm

Avg Speed: 7 knots

Duration: 6:15 hours

Diesel: 83 litres

Wind: SSE2-SSW4

Mooring: €

Electricity: Included

Water: Included

Bridges

Pont de Benouville (lift)

Pont de Colombelles (swing)

Calix viaduct (33m)

Pont de la Fonderie (swing)

Charts

AC 2451

AC 2613

AC 1349