Back to Guernsey

Because of the “Manche Tour “ race we decided to avoid the French coast for a few days and stay in the Channel Isles. There was the prospect of a storm coming through later in the week so we decided to move on the Guernsey after just a couple of nights in St Helier. We much prefer Guernsey to Jersey, so if we were to have an enforced, extended stay in port we would prefer to be in St Peter Port marina. The only possible problem was on the day we were to sail “the race” would be heading from Carteret to St Peter Port, but, if we set off early, as planned we would arrive well ahead of them, assuming they had a midday start time.
With the wind from the South force 3-4 to start, so we had a good sail, almost running, with a strong helping tide until about 5 miles from St Peter Port when the tide turned to across us and the wind dropped to nearly nothing. So, since we were in no hurry, we “drifted” towards St Peter Port, having lunch on the way and taking a further 3 hours to arrive. Just after leaving Jersey we had been overtaken by several sailing boats hurrying under engine. When finally arrived in Guernsey several were the waiting on an outer pontoon for the marina to open in another three hours. Because of the queuing system we entered before several of them.

We arrived in Guernsey on Tuesday intending to stay for a couple of days, but high winds later in the week delayed our departure so we ended up having a very pleasant five days in St Peter Port. We met up again with Carolyn and Andy and had dinner in two restaurants, main in one and cheese and puddings in another, the “Petit Bistro”. We had tried to book into the latter for the whole meal, but it was Bastille Day, so was full of celebrating French people. Next time we visit Guernsey it’s a must. The 2CV in nthe background is a real one cut in half.

We rafted up against another Falmouth boat, a Westerly called “Golden Eye” owed by George and Rachel Curnow on their back to Cornwall. They were MYC members but now belong to the RCYC.
On Guernsey we always do a fair amount of walking and some cycling, most motorists are very pedestrian and cyclist friendly. We also like the local bus service which seems to serve every little hamlet on the island. Hop on a bus in St Peter Port, get off where you want to start walking and when you’re tired it’s never more than a few hundred yards from a stop, and if the bus comes when you’re between stops stick out a hand and the chances are it stops ( just like England!!).

On Friday Castle Cornet was open for an evening of music and short plays. We were sitting on the boat contemplating whether to go or stay where we were after a longish walk. Fortunately Andy and Carolyn came along and made our minds up for us otherwise we’d have missed a very enjoyable evening. Better still it was free. One of the bands performing was a drum band “Samba Burros” who play a variety of very infectious music. We first came across this type of band at the Cherbourg music festival last year.

Skat the large private yacht we saw in St Malo was in St Peter Port, according to one of the crew they are going to Falmouth. They’re stalking us.

We're off to Cherbourg next.