Late June 2018 – Gravelines

19th June – Tuesday – Sail to France

We waited in Ramsgate until the wind changed direction, which turned into a WSW.  Our 8 hour journey started at 0800 to complete the 37 miles.  At first the wind was very cold and the sea quite wallowy, as it always is around Ramsgate.  The wind picked up to 15 to 22 knots and we sailed for more than 4 hours.  At points we reached 7.2 knots and had to reef both the Main and Genoa, as we were getting ahead of schedule, for the High Tide arrival, to enter the channel and lock at Gravelines.

The sun came out later and we had good visibility for crossing the shipping lanes, which were quite busy.  We radioed one ship to make sure of his intentions, and as always, to volunteer to go astern of him.  It was a big ship which seemed to have a heavy load.

The entrance to Gravelines has sand banks parallel to the coast.

A tricky entrance is always made more interesting when small sailing boats hog the centre of the channel, especially in an unfamiliar port.

Wide channel to the Gravelines Lock

The Spiral Black and White Lighthouse can be seen from a great distance.

The lady in the marina office could not have been more kind.  She gave us a good welcome pack with lots of useful info.  We had to show our boat registration papers and passports as it is the first time we have visited here.

20th June – Wednesday

Gravelines (pronounced Grav, like you are clearing your throat and Lines like Washing Line), is a Vauban Cinque Port.  It has a fortified wall and moat and a large town square with a museum.

We had a good walk around and headed back to the boat as we had invited Peit and Margreet from yacht Osprey for drinks.  Really lovely people on a 53 year old steel board with beautiful wood interior.

Evening visitors.

21st June – Thursday

We walked to Super U supermarket and Mick bought oil for servicing the engine which he did in the afternoon.  Peit and Margreet invited us on board Osprey and we enjoyed a lovely evening in the sunshine.

22nd June – Friday

Friday is market day in Gravelines. 

A large market fills the large market square.

The beauty of our long summers is that we are in no rush.  So we spent a good half hour watching this young Artisan weaving a new seat for a chair.  Sadly we have no need for chairs and he seemed to appreciate that, and our interest.

We continued walking to Petit Fort Phillipe which is a small town on the East side of the channel.

The large sandy beach was being used for sand yachting a few days later.

We were tempted at Moules for lunch but at 14.50 euros each plus drinks but we went back to the marina and bought wine, moules and a bagette for 5 euros.  Please excuse the butter dish, Satellite dish and Dish wires, which frame this happy scene!!

23rd June – Saturday

I spotted a sign for a local festival.  ‘Du Son Sur Les Flots’, The Sound on the Waves, taking place in Grand Port Phillippe located on the West side of the channel.  We think the channel marks a regional boundary, as Grand and Petit Ports seem to ignore each other.

These giants puppets are used in carnivals, see the peep holes in the front.

The local choir started up with a song to the tune of ‘Dirty Old Town’ and we felt right at home.

We purchased Mango and Violet Ice Creams (pronunciation was hilarious), and settled down to watch Les Romain-Michel.  They are a troupe of Theatrical Circus Performers, with more than a touch of slapstick.  Even without understanding the language we could understand the intentions.

Uni-cycling, three person juggling with 12 clubs, impressive.

They jumped over a ‘volunteer’ on a bicycle, then balanced it, which was immediately out done by the troupe leader balancing a full sized road barrier on his chin.  All this took 1 and a half hours with lots of intermittent silliness.  Definitely a French spectacle.

The next two days were hot and windy.  Jobs were done and a good stock up took place.

In the continuing series of boat names and signs here are two additions.

The good yacht – Funky Shit.  We would love to hear them call the coast guard.

The sign post indicating Centre Ville with a hand symbol, on a sign pointing at the sea.

Sailors Info: Gravelines Marina

Very friendly welcome.  Welcome pack.  Free Wifi for 3 hrs per day. 

The water inside the locked marina was a bit smelly at low tide.  It was Spring Tide as we got there and the low water was very low.  This may put some people off visiting, but it was fine.

Lidl on the harbourside.  Stocking up was a doddle.  106 Euros for 6 nights with the 7th free.  With hindsight we should have left on the 6th day as the weather and wind were more calm, but a bargain is a bargain. 

We left for Nieuwpoort on the 26th.