May 2nd The Channel Crossing

Eastbourne to Saint Valery sur Somme

Left Sovereign Harbour @ 11.10 arrived at ATSO @ 17.45, arrived @ St Valery @ 20.00 (21.00 French time)




Weather - 100% heavy cloud, rain & mist from 17.00

Comments - engine revs @ 500 idle. Sea state slight. Good crossing. Wind got up 10 miles off French coast, following sea, visibility deteriorated badly. Arrived @ ATSO & realised we were still carrying 40 litres of red diesel in cans. Risked all in emptying into tanks in rolling sea but better than 500€ fine. Pouring rain and as we entered the first of 46 gates marking the tiny channel into St Valery we could only just make out the next bouy and having arrived earlier than expected and on neaps, had only 2 feet of water under keel still with 3 miles of treacherous sands to navigate before our safe haven. Delighted to spot a colony of some 100+ seals basking on a sandbank at they were enjoying this very unpleasant weather & cheered our nervous soles. The tide was now ripping in at approx 4 knots & twisting & turning Doucette, one minute it was behind you & the next beam on & it was around gate 27 that a 90 degree turn yards from the headland beach caught this gallant skipper out & hitting power just too late resulted in a heavy brush under the waterline & the stern port quarter. I rushed out to survey the damage but Doucette was scratched but not torn, big relief! We edged our way forward & were thrilled to spy St Valery town wall at last and finally relaxed as we glided down the middle of a luxurious 20 yard wide channel when suddenly Doucette slithers to an unceremonious stop in -1 foot of water. The tide was ripping so hard that within a couple of minutes we were able to continue onto mooring 7B at the St Valery nautique in still hammering down rain & now dark conditions. It had taken 2 1/4 hours to navigate & confirm the fearsome & much renowned reputation of the Baie de la Somme. We celebrated our much successful channel crossing by washing down our pasty, baked beans and potatoes with a rather lovely bottle of Prosecco.