4th August – Monday – Jersey to Guernsey

06.45 start arrived 13.00, 27 miles, some sailing and motor.

The harbour entrance is large but beware the ferry’s.  Tied up at the visitor waiting pontoon and the dory told us where to moor up.

We lit our lamp at 10.00pm in memory of the start of WW1 and watched the TV, that’s English TV!!

5th August – Tuesday

Carol and David Marshall came to meet us at 11.00.  We worked with Carol for many years and she has retired to Guernsey, as is her birth-right.  We have visited her once before in Mark Johnson’s boat ‘Gem’ so it was nice to arrive in our own.

We had lunch and a good chin-wag at the Imperial Hotel near Cobo Bay, sat outside in the sunshine.

We then went for a coast walk from the hotel, which had great views of the Hanois Lighthouse, which in turn has an excellent Dark Beer named after it.

Carol then drove us to their allotment, which is part of a HUGE old Rose-Growing greenhouse.  Carol’s sister was there watering the plants so we had a chat and they gave us some produce to take away, including a melon. 

We then went back to the boat to enjoy a few more drinks.  It was great to see them both and look forward to coming here again.

6th August – Wednesday

Relaxing day, looked around Candie Gardens and visited the Victorian Shop, a national trust property with free entry, we did buy sweeties.  Heard the Guernsey Symphonia rehearsing in the Town Church for the evening performance, a rich and full sound in a relatively small space.

Malcolm (the Oracle) and Eileen on ‘Ultima’ invited us for pre-dinner drinks.  Again truly lovely people with masses of stories to tell having sailed for many years in France.  We were joined by Dick and Camilla who are moored in the same marina as Ultima, and also have many years experience.

Weather and tides are again making us leave for Cherbourg a little earlier than planned.  Hurricane Bertha is approaching and the outlook for the day after tomorrow is poor.  Guernsey is a lovely island and has a more relaxed feel than Jersey.

Info: £27 per night.  Old facilities, with great hairdryers!  There are others near the marina office but it’s a hike around the harbour.  Wifi poor, no roaming on phones.  Local supermarket on sea front and M&S.