Cherbourg, 23rd June 2010
Bonjour! Mange Tout! Chais Longue! Nous sommes en France! We left Poole at 0500, saw a beautiful sunrise, and then
contrary to the forecast of F3/F4 winds, found
none for the entire crossing and so had an uneventful passage, having to motor all the way in a completely flat sea, warm sunshine and perfect visibility. Even the shipping lanes
seemed relatively empty, and we didn't have to alter course at all. So although frustrating not to have sailed, it could have been a lot worse!
So just a quick update, with more to follow in due course...
First impressions - only 60 miles south, but what a difference - the sun seems warmer and the fresh produce in the market is fantastique, but
zut alors - the French are on strike! It seemed quite natural
to arrive at a foreign port aboard a boat, as we have done many times chartering in the Med, but unlike in the UK it now seems slightly surreal to think we have
travelled by and brought our home with us, and this is now our way of life - tres bon! We celebrated Ann's birthday and our first foreign landfall in Pipit
with a lovely meal in the courtyard of
L'Antidote.
And already, we have been invited, by the organiser of a Northney Marina rally, on a coach trip to lunch and a wine cave on Sunday, with champagne courtesy of MDL - payback time!!!
Leaving Poole Quay, 0500.
Crossing into French waters.
Hoisting our first courtesy flag.
Cherbourg outer breakwater - time for a nice cup of English tea....
Our first taste of French market produce.
