Guernsey - Channel Islands

Route to Guernsey

We left Torquay with a forecast of Force 6 (up to 27kts) occasionally 7 (up to 33kts), which resulted in a fast passage in strong winds with a confused 3 - 4 meter swell.  This was uncomfy with the big swells lifting the stern and after time spent below in the galley and doing the log caused Leanne to suffer a bout of seasickness. The only relief after being sick over the side is feeling slightly better as there is nothing left in the stomach to heave!

Castle Cornet from the visitors pontoon

Arriving at St Peters Port we passed the impressive island Castle Cornet which has been guarding the entrance to the harbour since the 13th century.  The castle has been occupied by the French in 1339 and then the Germans during WWII. Interestingly during WWII half the island population, approx 20,000, evacuated to the UK during the occupation. The island has a 16 forts and 58 batteries erected during Napoleon's reign and then enhanced by the Germans.  The island also has an underground military hospital that was built in 1944 for the D-Day landings for the expected German casualties. The hospital covers 7,000 square metres and was built by slave workers but never finished. 

We had planned to only spend 1-2 nights at the marina and then visit the different Channel Islands. However, the weather has been appalling with the first of the winter gales compounded by spring tides (assessed as dangerous in these conditions resulting in turbulent over falls).  As a result our stay was extended to 8 days.  
 

High tide ....

Low tide...

The Channel Islands have the fourth largest tidal range - 10 meters during springs - in the world so careful passage planning is required.  

Sill entrance at low tide

We were fortunate to have the last berth in Queen Elizabeth II marina which was entered via the sill. The sill traps water within the marina at 4.0 meters above chart datum. This means entry for us is high water +/- 90 mins.  Even then Sabbaticus only had 30cm at low water under her keel.  However, the marina was far better than the visitor's pontoon that had no power or ability to walk ashore.

Little Chapel

Very colourful!

We have been to a few tourist attractions including possibly the smallest chapel in the world which is a miniature version of the famous basilica at Lourdes in France.   At only 5 mtrs long and 3 mtrs wide it is certainly tiny and decorated with seashells, pebbles and colourful pieces of broken china - definitely a labour of love for the Brother Déodat who built it in 1914.  If you like mosaics this is the Chapel to visit.

After a trip into town we had just arrived back on the boat to have lunch when we heard a knock on the hull.

Checking out Freddy

Sniffing out the pantry (under the seats)

It was three Customs Officer's and a dog. The  Customs dog had walked past the boat and had stopped indicating there was something of interest onboard.  Needless to say after a 45min visit and search by the handler + dog, going through every cupboard,locker and lifting every floorboard nothing was found. Leanne was not too impressed with the dog who (enjoying the 'game') drooling everywhere, walked over the table, beds and salon and then took a liking to Freddy (the cat) no doubt he couldn't work out the lack of response - Freddy, and all the floors, needed a wash afterwards.

 

Always good to see friends

One of the bonuses of our extended stay in Guernsey was an opportunity to catch up with some friends - Spider (ex-RNZAF AEOP) and his wife Viv who were visiting for the RAF 201 SQN reunion.  Hopefully we may see Spider and Viv in the Med for some cruising.



One of the first job's before departing was motoring around to the fuel dock for diesel.  We took onboard 350 litres, at 78p the price is considerably cheaper than the UK. The water tanks are now filled and  we are now ready for our Bay of Biscay crossing and plan to depart tomorrow - if the forecast is favourable.

We now have 600 litres of fuel onboard - redundancy for our crossing if we lose the wind and have to motor.

 
Some more photos from St Peters Port which was a picturesque and friendly place to have an extended stay in:)

View from Sabbaticus today - wet and raining and the forecast is getting worse with Force 8 now predicted. Thankfully we are not under any time pressures so we will wait for the wind to decrease before heading south.