Category: 2025 South coast & France

Guernsey to Jersey, 25nm

Thursday 17 July

We decided to bring Penny’s friend Andy with us to Jersey as he was keen and we like having enthusiasts. Despite leaving at 7, it didn’t put him off.

18-20 July

We lingered on Jersey as it’s a very nice island with excellent crab – and we haven’t been beyond St Helier before, there are also some strong winds blowing through.

Guernsey to Alderney 46 nm

Monday 21 July

When sailing anywhere in the Channel Islands you have to check your tide charts carefully. 

Tues 22 / Wednesday 23 July

If you have never been to Alderney, you should try to get here one day.

It’s like the Scillies, rocks, sandy beaches, beautiful coasts and a bit further South

Alderney to Cherbourg 23nm

Wednesday 23 July

Now that the harbour has stopped heaving around (sleep not that good) we are heading to Cherbourg in Lily the Pink weather: flat seas and 9-12 knots of wind.

Cherbourg to St Vaast-la-Hougue 30nm

Thursday 24/ Friday 25 July

We couldn’t leave Cherbourg soon enough – we left at 7 – and I was in such a hurry that I left my phone down below, so no photos of the passage. We did make sure we had time for safety and we both clipped on because the sea was very lumpy.

St Vaast-la-Hougue to Lymington 80nm

Saturday 26 July

The Dutch fleet that arrived last night decided not to raft up next to us as we are leaving at 10 am after the gate opens and when it’s deep enough to move out of the soft mud we are sitting in.

Just when you thought you were safe….

On the Solent we checked out our reefs

Then in Newtown we moored in the creek

Saw a comedy seal

And a sunset -surreal!

So tempting to stay for a week

Sunday 17 August

Today we welcomed Will, Jules and Fiona for a sparkling sail on the shimmering Solent. The sun shone and the wind was a happy force 3.

Saturday 23 August

Yesterday we were very pleased to welcome my mother Christine and my sister Catharine onto La Bamba as it was their first visit.

Unfortunately we were so excited to have them that we forgot to take any photos! It was a perfect sunny day and we enjoyed lunch at The Haven followed by a walk on the lovely Lymington Sea Wall.