Trip to Dieppe

We have just returned from a very pleasant trip to Dieppe with friends Tim and Tina who followed on their yacht Shiraz.
We began our voyage early in the morning, leaving Sovereign Harbour lock at about 04.40hrs and motored for the first 15 minutes or so before setting the Genoa and Main sails in about 10 knots of breeze and turning the engine off. Sunrise followed soon after as did the first of many hot drinks that day.

Sunrise

Scarlet Lady. Notice the moon just above the boom.

Shiraz

Are you sure it's another 8 hours to go?!
Louise ponders the meaning of life.

A quiet day in the shipping lane!

The Channel is renowned for the the volume of shipping passing through and is divided into two lanes with a separation zone in between. Our yacht is equipped with an AIS receiver which shows the targets and the closest points of approach so using this and keeping a good eye out (Electronics are not infallible) we made good progress and by the afternoon the weather had improved and we had relaxed into the passage.

Newhaven to Dieppe ferry



Auto pilot is a wonderful thing!

Dieppe was busy when we arrived but the marina staff are very helpful and we managed to berth next to Shiraz.

Relaxing !

Shiraz in Dieppe

Taken from the Yacht Club.

Off to the shops

Despite feeling a little tired from the crossing which had taken about 12 hours, we had been invited to friends who live nearby. Lynne had already mentioned to them a few months before that it would be my birthday when we came out and a wonderful party ensued in the evening made extra special by the fact that Lynne's parents had taken the ferry over during the day to join in the festivities.

Tim and Tina on the right. Steve in the middle having brought over essential Soda Water supplies. Alan in the white hat our kind host (His wife Sarah was preparing a feast in the kitchen) and Lynne's dad Graham on the left wondering why anyone would enjoy Campari !

Having been suitably fed and watered it was time to retire back to the boat and remember NOT to set the alarm clock for the next morning.


Dieppe has may good restaurants especially for lovers of seafood. We dined out a fair bit and had two very good meals at Le Sarajevo. It is a bit of a walk from the marina but worth the effort.

Tina's starter!!!

The weather was a bit hit and miss so we decided to stay put rather than continuing along the coast to Fecamp. This proved to be a good decision as high winds towards the back end of the week caused an uncomfortable swell whilst still on the mooring. Tim kept an eye on the forecasts and we decided to head back on the Friday. Conditions were not ideal and for the first couple of hours visibility was down to a few miles but glimpses of blue sky and the weather set to improve we pressed on. By the time we reached the middle of the shipping lane the wind had died to under 8 knots so on with the engine and for the remainder of the trip back to Sovereign Harbour, we motor sailed.