Summer cruise starts - the Channel

Fiona joined "Susan J" in Falmouth and after a fish and chip supper, with Scopolamine patches and an early night, we set off for L'Aberwrach.  Swinging the electric compass first (to no avail), we decided to use the elderly Sestral steering compass, still rejuvenated from it's fix of Gordon's gin in 2017, hoping that thelderly C120 plotter would sort it's self out, which it did, to a large extent.

This was Julie and Fiona's first channel crossing and overnight passage and David's first "in command" of his own boat.

We tacked as far as the Lizard, when the wind went light but still on the nose.  An early pasta supper was prepared, eaten and retained.  All crew got a good four hour sleep.  Dolphins, barrel jellyfish and even a Minke whale were spotted as well as several large ships whoose lights were interpreted with accuracy even in the rain, which gave way to a brilliant starlit sky before a sunny dawn heralded the anticipated north westerly and the Ile Verge, with it's massive light tower, at 77m, allegedly the tallest in the World.

The pilotage through the rocks, under reefed main, was straightforward and taste of things to come!

In just 25 hours, we arrived in fine fettle, if a little damp, to sample the local cidre and returning on board to reflect, albeit horizontally, on our achievement and all the new skills acquired.

David was last at L'Aberwrach, when still at at school, there was no marina just a quiet anchorage.  Now there are several cafés and bars, an active French lifeboat and just about every kind of watercraft using the delightful area of sheltered water.

On that occasion we ended up in Audierne. Four up in 22 foot, bilge keeled, gunter rigged Westerley and achieved this from Dartmouth and back in just two weeks. "Susan J" is so much more handy in almost all areas!

The photo shows "Susan J" rather incongruously, alongside all the modern boats.

Rather out of place!

Well deserved!