The Wind Blew

We got our night at anchor in Grande Greve Bay on the west side of Sark; very pleasant and settled. However, with a Force 8 gale and rain forecast to arrive from Friday lunchtime, St Peter Port’s Victoria Marina seemed to be the prudent option. We had a lovely morning sail across to St Peter Port and wondered if the weather forecasters had got their timings completely wrong. After refuelling and exchanging an empty gas bottle we moored up in Victoria Marina and wandered over to the Guernsey Yacht Club to meet up with Nicky’s father and his partner for lunch. As we arrived at the door, the heavens opened with very heavy rain and squalls. Nothing for it but to hibernate in the yacht club until the weather improved whilst making the most of the good company, nice wine and some excellent lobster salad to keep our energy levels up.

Snugly moored in Victoria Marina

Amazingly the rain stopped mid afternoon so we were able to leave the yacht club dry and explore the shops in St Peter Port. The ship's cocktail cabinet was restocked with gin (G&Ts are important for medicinal purposes after a stressful day of sailing) plus we purchased the necessary blocks to make a hoist to lift up the new, heavier outboard motor.

The social diary kept us busy with a very pleasant evening and dinner with Nicky's Mum and afterwards we retired to our bunk on BV replete but with the wind still blowing strongly.

Sadly, Saturday brought no respite from the wind and rain so instead of sailing we paid for our gastronomic indulgences with a morning run along the coastal path; probably good for body and soul, but far too many steps! Fortunately the weather forecast is predicting the wind to drop on Sunday but to come from a westerly direction. Not so good as that is where where we want to go and sailing yachts don't go too well directly into wind. However Monday may bring a more southerly wind for a time which would be very useful. We have therefore plotted a passage to North Brittany for Sunday afternoon (when there is enough tidal height to get out of the marina) and will either anchor on the French coast or, if the wind backs to the south, stay sailing throughout the night to get as far west as we can before the next depression rolls in from the Atlantic and impedes our progress.

Castle Cornet with Guernsey Yacht Club in front