Author: Experience Sailing

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Feel free to use the space below to share your thoughts, questions, or comments as the cruise journey approaches the last few days.

Today we will start our adventure and sail out of the harbour. We will be using two huge sails to power the boat forward through the waves towards the horizon. The sails catch the wind and whoosh, we are off.

There are only a few clouds today, so the sky is pale blue and the seas are a deep turquoise. Suddenly two dolphins leap out of the water and swim forward then quickly disappear again. We scanned the surface but they only wanted to get a peek of the yacht this time. Perhaps we will see them again later.

A strong breeze blew through the sails and we moved quickly out to sea with no other boats in view. We had to concentrate on the sails to keep them angled correctly.

It was time to return to the harbour because stronger winds were coming tomorrow and we had to be safe in sheltered waters. And we were not alone. Look what was anchored in the middle of the river.

And a lifeboat whizzed past on a rescue mission. We’re glad to be back after a good sail around the bay.

• “Tell me a story”
• “Colours of the sea”
• “How sea creatures survive”
• “Dolphins and sharks”

Chapter One

Once upon a time a beautiful yacht began to wake up and become a companion for two sailors and take them on a journey of adventure over the seas. You can come along and see the places they visit, the sea creatures above and below the surface, wonder at the colours, and ask questions about their journey.

The yacht is a microcosm (a little world) of the planet and we will learn how to live together with nature and the elements.

We hope you can follow along with the ‘three’ companions and share the adventures of the sea.

The blog is for the “young ‘uns” who are growing up so fast. Their inquisitive minds never fail to surprise us. So we will share our journey throughout and answer some of their questions about sailing the seas.

Please ask a question or comment as we go along.

Editor

It started off a quiet day with only light winds. At first we had to sail between all the big ships and then out to open waters. The surface of the water was glassy smooth.

We had all day to sail because we had to arrive home after 4:30pm. Otherwise the tides in the harbour would be too strong. So one big sail was raised and we relaxed on deck.

The water was so smooth we could see our reflections on the surface

All day we sailed and we could relax on deck with cushions out for comfortable seating 😎. No dolphins today though.

5:00 pm Dartmouth arrival and we had to prepare all the lines to attach the yacht to the pontoon.

We sailed all day (7hr45min) for 32 miles over the water.

But wait… the tide also carried the boat forward for 3 miles extra. THREE miles added thanks to the moon 🌙 Total 35 miles

When we look at the moon on a clear night we notice it changes shape. Sometimes it is a full circle, sometimes a half circle and sometimes a crescent. But did you know that the moon has a pulling force called gravity? And this force lifts our seas up and causes tides to flow on earth.

When sailing along the coast, we use the tides to make our speed over the ground faster. A free ride really.

Ferry landing on beach

A ferry boat came round the corner and just ran up onto the beach. Unbelievable. Slowly the passengers walked off onto the shore down a gangway to keep their feet dry. Then into full engine reverse, the boat slowly moved into deeper water.

A walk around town along narrow streets and pretty gardens full of bright colours. An ice cream whilst waiting for the tide to raise the water high enough on the beach to launch the dinghy.

Back on board for dinner then we watched the crescent moon high in the sky at sunset.

10:00 Sunday and everyone was gathering to watch the dinghy race. All the traffic on the water was stopped and the little boats lined up on the starting line.

We were on a mooring buoy and close to this line. It was very exciting to be so near and soon the race started with a loud horn blast.

11:00 It was time to leave. The tide was falling and we needed to be out before the exit became too shallow. The yacht has a long keel below the waterline and could catch the bottom.

Away from the land and the sails were set to catch the wind blowing towards us. Very fast through the water, we headed out to sea and the yacht cut through the waves.

17:30 We anchored outside the restricted area set aside for growing eelgrass.

Saturday – today we left Guernsey to sail all day back over the English Channel a total of 70 miles.

Dolphins leaping high

The dolphins were leaping towards us as they headed to their fishing grounds. One or two came over to the yacht and swam all around us. They were too fast for the camera this time

Again we had to weave our way through the line of cargo ships from far off countries heading towards European ports. Our on board screen was like a ‘Starwars’ display but for real. So keep playing those games!

The passage was long and we were getting tired so it was time to head into sheltered waters.

We had sailed back across the English Channel. Now safely back and attached to a buoy in the picturesque seaside town of Salcombe.

Dolphins caught on camera using video – to be published

Guernsey is an island in the English Channel and yachts come and go every day from far and wide. A Regatta is a special event when many boats gather and have races. The winner gets awarded with a trophy at a gala dinner on the last night. Lots of spectators come and watch.

And we were berthed next to all the classic sailing yachts in the harbour.

Spectators came to look around the yachts at the end of each race day.

St Peters Port

We walked around the harbour and looked over the walls to a beach of golden sands and clear blue water.

We then walked back into town and climbed up to a terrace balcony. The view out to sea was filled with yachts and ships.

And then an ice cream to finish on our last day at St Peters Port

In the evening we said farewell to all our neighbours and watched the racing yachtsmen leave for the Regatta gala prize event. All became quiet again as the sun set in the western sky.

We motored around the bottom of Sark and the tides were pushing against us most of the time. We had to stay safe and avoid all the rocks and passing ships.

Soon we were safe inside the harbour walls and we tied up behind a very large yacht. It was new and sailed from Germany through the Kiev Canal. Eventually it would sail to the Mediterranean and finally America.

Unbelievably it also had a garage to hold a small boat inside.

We spent the next two days exploring St Peters Port and everything in the harbour including chicks on a mooring buoy

We crossed the water in our dinghy and jumped ashore. The breaking waves forced the large pebbles to tumble over each other and then back again grinding each one into a smooth round shape.

The steep path zigzags up the side of the cliff and a seat at the top provided a welcoming place to sit and look out to sea towards France. Phew!

The island is criss-crossed with wide lanes and occasionally a horse and carriage or tractor would appear around the corner. No cars are allowed to drive here.

The gardens on Sark are famous because they are so beautiful. Flowers, fruit trees and vegetables are grown within a walled garden. The gardeners worked constantly to keep the weeds out and everything was watered.

After looking at the flowers in the garden, we had a rest and a cup of tea.

Back on board we ate some pasta and savoury mince. We had a lovely day on the island.