The next 24 hours turned into 48, but good ones. As the current becomes really strong towards the channel islands and basically lost all wind already in our third night, we had to turn on the engine. And we really dont like that. In the morning we were flying along at 12km/h (with the current), but wenn the tides turned it got pretty …. yeah strange.
Because our boat goes 7-8 km/h under engine and this is about the amount of current against us, the boat was standing still. And GPS/Apps dont do a good job telling you where you are aiming, if you dont move above the ground. So we had some frustrating 6 hours of motoring but standing still. Then the tides turned in our favor again and we zoomed towards Cherbourg. Though it was a close call if we would make it before the next tilt. 10km before Cherbourg we took a left turn at Cap Levi and since it was so little wind, we did what we like the most: We anchored.
And we drank, because we earned it. The water was clear for the first time in SOO LONG, the anchoring good but new… since the tides make up to 5 meters, you need a lot of anchor chain, not so much that you could end up sitting on the ocean floor at low tide and also not so little, that the anchor is beeing lifted in high tide.
The next morning we woke up. We knew that there was supposed to be a good boulangerie in the village on shore. It was sunny and so we inflated the dinghy. Water and air temp cold, so full on rubber boots and long rain gear. In the kayak i jumped on towards land, the first time in four days. I went to the bakery looking like a fisher man. Ordering crossaints, baguettes and pain au chocolat in horrible french and rowing back to the anchored boat. For our sublime touchdown in france. Really good idea not to go into Cherbourg directly, but to have one last little taste of cruising life.
Then we took off towards our winter destination. Tacking into the wind south towards the huge marina we felt like regatte mode. Strong winds directly on the nose, tacking in between the huge ancient walls protecting cherbourg from the ocean swell while other sailboats were leaving. Then we looked up Pontoon P, parked Barfuß, went to the reception, paid a shitload of money and took a shower. Very modern, very clean, very kind. What an amazing harbor!
The week in Cherbourg was spent preparing the boat for winter, relaxing from the passage, hangnig out with other sailors after their arrivals, eating raw thuna and getting diarrhea from it, recovering, enjoying life and saying goodbye to sailing life for the next six month with a bitter sweet feeling. Because just now as it started to work really well, winter is here and the bay of biscay is off limits.
See you again in spring! :>
