Cross Channel roll

Marita3
Mark & Helen Syrett
Mon 16 Jun 2014 17:00
We left on time remembering the last time we left British shores in 2011 -- for over two years! - and sailed past The Manacles on a shipping forecast of north east to east 3-4 occasionally 5 and the grib files showing less in the middle of the Channel-----ideal.
The reality was different with the wind south south east force 2 for about 3 hours and then it went northerly and dropped to even less-----no good for sailing downwind especially with a rolling beam sea knocking any wind out of the sails. We ended up motoring across the Channel with the very unpleasant beam sea making us roll from side to side.
The recession is officially over and there was lots of shipping to keep us on our toes. We arrived at the Chenal du Four on time - the wind arrived and we sailed towards Brest at speeds of over 10 knots! We were then early for the Raz de Sein so reefed down and idled south across the mouth of the Rade de Brest, sailed through the Raz and had a fast close reach on along the coast to Ste Evette, where we dropped a hook for a couple of hours in order to gather our wits and time the tide for short trip up the river to Audierne and then to negotiate the strong spring tide and sand bars. Our master plan was to see if we could find a safe and relatively easy place on an end pontoon and if not to return to anchor again at Ste Evette. Audierne is a pretty town with creperies and fruits de mer everywhere. We are probably here for 48 hours.