The reduced lock schedule and the high water times meant our planned passage to St Vaast today was a non starter as there was no bridge convoy that would get us to the Ouistreham lock in time. Instead we opted for an overnight stay in Ouistreham ready to leave on the Sunday morning. We took the midday convoy and enjoyed a sunny and trouble-free canal cruise to the marina where the helpful staff guided us to alongside berths and were keen to provide a newsticker for our collection.

There was time in the afternon to do some sightseeing and whilst others in the fleet cycled or dinghied back to the Pegasus Memorial we decided to look round the town of Ouistreham itself. Far from solely a ferry terminal, we found a chic seaside town and real French people 'en vacances' and enjoying a host of seaside entertainments. The town also bears testament to its role in the battle of Normandy and 'Le Grand Bunker' was a five storey German command and control centre. Used for range-finding its boasts a clear view of the bay in all directions, and detailed interpretations, photographs and artefacts bring the story of its use and demise graphically to life.

Opposite the casino the Museum of No.4 Commando tells of the elite Franco-British regiment who liberated the town and then pressed inland to reinforce the airborne troops at Pont de Benouville.

We were due to part company with Tabgha and Rainbow's End the next morning so we arranged a communal on-board barbeque and rounded off the evening with some rousing (rowdy) community singing accompanied by Frank and his organ.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 7 nm

Total to date: 1761 nm

Avg Speed: 6 knots

Duration: 1:15 hours

Diesel: 7 litres

Mooring: €26

Electricity: Included

Water: Included

Bridges

Pont de la Fonderie (swing)

Calix viaduct (33m)

Pont de Colombelles (swing)

Pont de Benouville (lift)

Charts

AC 1349