Cherbourg to St Peter’s Port

We had arrived in Cherbourg on a Sunday evening, so after the tough journey, and because everything would be closed on the Monday decided to stay 3 nights.

Lily needed a new engine battery and we had to find out the cause of the over charging. This is where Erik came to the rescue, with the new battery fitted and voltmeter in hand he got to work. 10 mins later problem solved- WOW. The diode which splits the power from the alternator to the house batteries and the engine battery had failed, only sending power to the engine battery, but the sensor wire from the alternator was on the house batteries to protect the instruments, therefore demanding more power all of the time. Anyway the sensor was moved to the engine battery until a new ( more complicated diode) could be purchased. Not as easy as you first might think.

Cherbourg marina was surprisingly quite, there was a large stage being erected just next to the marina, for the mid-summer music festival at the weekend, which is held in a lot of French towns nowadays.

During a walk into town I noticed that there were some new shops and restaurants open, or soon to be opened, which was nice to see because in the past there always appeared to be shops closing. So on Monday evening we decided to check one out, Brasserie Le Commerce. It was a pleasant, modern restaurant, as close to fast food as the French should get. Two courses for 14 euro, we all opted for a starter and main, most choosing the Steak main, Petra went for the salmon pasta. For 14 euro there was not a complaint from anyone, the starters were great, the steak tender. I’m not sure you could get a good steak like that in the UK for 14 euro, and Petra’s pasta was enough to feed a family. Definitely one to remember.

Tuesday was Bill’s last night in France, and so as with tradition aboard Shades no expense was spared, and he was treated to a Shades fruit de mer.

The next day with the weather forecast for a westerly F4 we all thought that the first part of the journey maybe hard work. Whilst motoring out Escapade suddenly turned around. She had sprung a leak with her engine coolant, but as ever, the very resourceful Erik managed a quick repair and she headed out to sea again.

How pleasantly surprised we were, the wind was gentle on NW, so up went the sails, (Escapade proving a lot tougher to hoist the sails than usual, second problem of the day ) off with the engines, all boats gracefully tacked there way to the Cap DeLa Hague, ready for the Alderney race. Which may I say was very tame on this occasion. Once around the Cap the wind died for a while, it then turned SW, which was not forecast, so the tacking continued all the way to Guernsey. there was a mist in the air, so we were unable to see the beautiful views of Alderney as we sailed past.

On arriving near the Little Russell Escapade had her third problem of the day, with the engine battery flat making starting the engine a problem. Captain resourceful solving that one as well.

When in the Little Russell the mist cleared and we could see one of the many cruise ships which visit Guernsey every year. The Queen Mary 2.

When you arrive at St. Peter’s port there is not a better sight than that of the dory arriving, and the sound of your welcome package landing on the deck of the boat. You really are on holiday now!