Bolougne bound

After a bumpy night Sunday, monday was the clear chance for a getaway. While it wasn't exactly perfect as forecasts go, with 27kts SouthWesterly, ie bang on the nose for most of the way, and rain, it was a weather window in an otherwise increasingly gloomy forecast. So we went for it.The other factor distinctly in monday's favour was the departure time, with 09h30 looking good. We'd been in touch with Full Circle the previous evening, and so were unsurprised to arise in the morning and see them tied up across in the western marina. We had hoped to go over and say hello, but with the bridge to the inner marina lifted, it was a 1.5mile walk round, so we decided to cast of at 08h45 and go to the fuel pontoon and then tie up quickly alongside to say our hello's before setting off.... timing was dreadful. They had much the same idea, and as we slipped and motored towards the fuel pontoon, we passed them doing the exact reverse..... ah well.... so hello's were restricted to a few shouted messages and then we set off out to sea.We were pleased to see pretty calm waters, albeit slightly busy with a number of race boats heading off towards their start line, so we cut the corner slightly, and motored directly into the wind, keen to get a bit of distance between us and the racers so that we didn't get in the way of their first beat.... we didn't have much choice but to head off up their race track as the course was set right up the Gull channel inside Goodwin sands, which we also needed to follow. A period of motoring saw the wind remain stubbornly on the nose, and also build slightly, but only to 20kts, so nothing too serious, but as we passed SW Goodwin buoy (which was once a magnificent light vessel), we exited the shelter of Goodwin sands, and the sea started to build..... we held course to get some west into our position before we crossed the TSS (in order to clear Cap Gris Nez easily - as I suspected that with wind over tide it might be lumpy), so the engine stayed on.....True to form for our summer cruises, the engine dominates, so it didn't surprise me to find the TSS extraordinarily busy.... so busy that we carried on motoring.... with a short steep sea now affecting us, it wasn't fun, and the thought of tacking, or trying to avoid gybes in a sloppy rolly sea when ducking traffic didn't seem to encourage me to set sails.... so as we exited the TSS, just suitably west of Cap Gris Nez, it was back directly into the wind, with fortunately just 15nm or so to go.... the wind eased slightly, and the sea calmed slightly, so not so bad.... and even better, the rain eased, and the sun even poked out once or twice....Along the way, we'd heard a Mayday.... a motor vessel sinking with water ingress from the engine at a rate faster than the bilge pumps could handle....no liferaft, very poor radio procedure, and generally confused.... two vessels stood by, and Dover lifeboat was launched, which we saw motoring to the scene.... the motorboater was less than easy for the CG to deal with, even arguing about where to head/be towed..... but I guess its easy to be critical from the cockpit of a boat that is doing what is asked of her....It was with some relief that we finally entered Bolougne outer harbour at about 16h00, and we were soon tied up in the marina in perfect shelter.... in fact, in a great location, right behind a huge quay wall, so thoroughly protected from the winds forecast for the next few days.... looks like we'll be here until Thursday at the earliest, more likely Friday.... least there is plenty to do in Bolougne!

Miles logged 39nm
Miles this season 475nm
Miles this trip 82nm
Miles since this blog started 3,412nm