We have already covered much longer stages, but somehow I have this 150 Nautical miles far brought most. After we had continued to fight until about a clock against the always fickle wind becoming, Dietmar brought by a wind shift of 360 °, the sail. So we ran under the engine while on the right course, but stop being too loud. After all, we came closer to our goal of making great strides. As we found, but we were too fast. The current was still exactly when approaching Cherbourg against us. Although we went with seven knots through the water, we arrived our destination only 1-2 Knots an hour closer. It is quite amazing, as long 10 Can be nautical miles. We motorten bravely and were glad, when we finally reached the port to two.

So today was not great after school program and we relaxed after a short round through the city with a good dinner on board and enjoyed a lazy football television evening.

Where the coming of the West Wind forth all over the world? After this morning, the rain clouds had finally vanished into thin air, it looked after a great day of sailing. Wind from the West, 3-4, afternoon turning to North. Now it's a quarter past nine. Have I misunderstood something? In the ship everything rattles, always goes above water and the SUMMER down hard with the bow into the wave.
In the middle of the whole, quite noisy mess: The captain sleeps peacefully in the salon. It's his right, since I have the first watch. Nevertheless, I am always impressed, the conditions under which this man sleeping and that too so relaxed.
To twelve clock I'll try, here to keep the position and bring us to our goal as close as possible. And of course, keep us neugirigen tanker from the body. They have well today especially bent on the SUMMER. Even the Second, the quite close to us passed. But do not get us, da bin ich wachsam 🙂

The next goal, that was in France on our Itinerary, was only a short distance away and was called Boulogne-Sur-Mer. The removal of 25 Nautical miles should be easy to deal with on an afternoon under sail. So we decided, Calais erst gegen 14 Clock, So two hours after high water, leave. So we would benefit on the way of the flow, which would then sail on us towards Boulogne.

So we still had some time in Calais, we wanted to use for a trip to the ferry port. With every step on the way there, the impression reinforced, that the environment is always dismal and neglected appeared. For example, we passed a site, on the asylum seekers hoping to find a way to England, were housed in tents. To see the true us very sad. So we decided to march towards the center again. Just as we were going to march, we ran an English television crew into the arms, that made a documentary about the asylum seeker problem in Calais. So we learned, these were the people actually on the way to England and are stranded in Calais. A difficult and stressful situation in every respect for all involved. Let's see, ob meine persönliche Meinung irgendwo in England im Fernsehen ausgestrahlt wird 🙂

Back in the Summer we prepared for the opening of the Harbour Bridge 13:45 Clock before. Everything was ready on time and we were able to relax arriving in the outer harbor. There, however, we received from Port Control, we had this time directly dutifully radioed and asked for permission to leave the port, to make the statement still settle four ferries in the harbor, before we finally were allowed out motors. So we shot almost half an hour our circles and burned expensive diesel, while a thicker pot after the neighbor went to the docks.

Then finally there was for us the green light and we looked quickly into the distance. The 25 Nautical miles in sight of the French coast were a real walk. Half past six clock we entered the port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer. It is the largest fishing port in France and can be run at any tide. Nevertheless, it is a strange feeling, retract into a port and first 5 Having to look upwards meters, to see the edge of the quay wall. The marina is located at the very back end of the port facility and was unfortunately quite busy. After some back-and-forth we were able to moor as a second boat to a top web. The sailors of the other yacht impressed us with their very “great helpfulness” and drew their yacht but actually after repeated requests by the harbor master two meters further forward. Nevertheless, still stuck 5 Meters from our stern pretty unhappy about the bridge out into the entrance of the basin. Among sailors help each other actually getting when you see, that a hand is needed. The boys were probably the one percent, which never needs the help of others. See you always twice…. 🙂

Just in time for the second half in the game Germany:United States was finally the TV. The transmission quality was indeed for the most part really catastrophic, but at least we have seen the gate….but only 5 Minutes after falling. Hopefully we can enjoy the next game in better quality.

The next morning we went on a sightseeing tour, uphill to the old town. Everywhere buzzed English schoolchildren through the area. We did not let us disturb and visited the surrounded with a fortification upper town and the Basilica “Our Lady” in great detail.

After a coffee break with typical French crêpes, we wanted the sea aquarium Nausicaa (Centre National de la Mer) visit. Once there, we had to find, that there were an amazing number of school children traveling. So we postponed our visit rather on the next morning. Ganz ohne Fisch 🙂 wollten wir aber auch nicht zurück auf Boot. On the way back we bought directly from the cutter two huge floes for dinner for the fabulous price of 2 € per kilo. Unimaginable low, but really tasty. The preparation on board is a bit tricky, since we only have a large pan (and that was for a clod already too small). Der Trick: eine Scholle fertigbraten und dann zeitgleich über den gemeinsamen Teller herfallen 🙂 Das schärft die Reflexe und hebt das Gemeinschaftsgefühl! And because no one has been injured, there will be tomorrow night again plaice.

Unfortunately, our first day in France not started with a fresh baguette, to which we have so very pleased. Near the port no baker was to see or find. Good, that we had still roofed in Belgium. Refreshed the formalities were done first. From the harbor master our papers were checked. But not only do we, those of our SUMMER were carefully checked. Fortunately, there was nothing to complain about and we were now officially arrived in France.

Then Dietmar took my cruise planning for the next three weeks under the microscope. Again, there was nothing to complain about :-). Now my wind order must only be properly handled by the universe, then should fit everything.

In the bright sunshine considered, saw the SUMMER after more than a week city stay but a little dusty from. Prior to our discovery tour to Calais so the boat was first washed with fresh water from outside and waxed. When everything was finally settled to our satisfaction, It was already after 12 Clock. So we led our way to a short trip to the ferry port, first to the market place in a nice bistro, in which we have omelets and fries ordered for lunch. After a delicious coffee to finish, we explored the city and the beach. Calais certainly not one of the most beautiful cities in France, but also has very beautiful and attractive buildings and parks.

The ferry port is really impressive. During our beach walk, there was a constant coming and going. A ferry is larger than the next. Since we have tomorrow so by meander again. We are already looking forward to the instructions of Port Control. Today we had the opportunity a bit rusted is our “French” to train. Let's see, whether we can communicate a little better tomorrow.

The crossing to Calais was from beginning to end as planned. In the morning it was time to plan back among the three bridges and into the lock and then to the outer harbor. In the lock we were greeted by waving Belgian school children. Sehr nett! Outside on the North Sea, we quickly set sail in light wind northeast. Parallel to the coast were slightly more than 50 Nautical miles sailing route ahead. Evening at half past nine we wanted by the “Pont Henry Hemon” arriving in the marina of Calais. This bridge only opens two hours before high water to 2 Hours after high water for 10 Minutes in the hour. Da sollte man dann pünktlich da sein 🙂

As the wind with 8 Node (2 Beaufort) was quite weak, should the first time today our Parasailor be used. This ingenious sail for courses from the wind has an area of 156 Square meters (!). We have procured us extra for long ocean passages and waited since May for its first use. After thorough preparation of linen and sheets by Dietmar the buzzer was then a short time later with good speed under the Parasailor without location and great pitching from the wind. Ein Traum in blau 🙂

As the afternoon the wind freshened, Parasailor was again recovered and stowed expertly. This premiere was in every respect a complete success. Everything was fitted and it also has a lot of fun. Hopefully we will soon have the right course and Parasailor Weather.

During our directions to Calais then subjected storm clouds and the wind picked up on 20 Nodes on. The ferry traffic in and out of the harbor is really impressive. In our contact with Port Control we found, that the English of French is difficult to understand. In the third experiment we had but then also understood, that we are only after the “Spirit of Britain” were allowed to enter the harbor. So we had to take a stroll outside the port. Despite the strong transverse flow, we arrived safely in the outer harbor and had only 10 Waiting for the opening of the bridge minutes. The landing maneuver at Catwalk succeeded perfectly, despite the strong wind. Endlich in Frankreich 🙂

Since the crossing to Calais was scheduled for tomorrow, stood again today housework on the plan. Actually a shame for the excellent weather. But while the laundry hanging on the clothesline, was still time for a bit of reading in the sun. In addition it is nice vacuumed and mopped in the ship, cleaned and waxed. Although the area is quite manageable, is the number of corners and edges to infinity. True busywork! I never thought, I would even get there, to use a toothbrush to clean.

The last Belgian treats still were stashed the end and then everything was ready. At a quarter past a seven then traveled the captain himself highly by train. Despite Umsteigeschwierigkeiten in Brussels, we were complete again. For dinner, there was still one last time delicious baguettes with North Sea shrimp salad and Belgian cherry beer.

Tomorrow it goes to France. Belgium is the second country on our list. This time, the farewell is probably not so difficult, because no one is on the harbor and waves. We have also enjoyed Oostende and the Belgian coast long enough. A beautiful place, we got to know. Fully developed for tourism with all the advantages- and disadvantages. Now it is time again, To discover new. We look forward!

Shortly after eleven my phone rang: „So, I stand here now at the harbor. The MERCATOR is behind me and next to me a gray building, looks like a ferry terminal.” This ferry turned out to be but ultimately as supermarket, but we still came together. Together we brought the car in to the nearby car park and took first luggage and souvenirs on board: Das neue-Pactor Modem, a bit of cosmetics, a bottle of Ramazzotti and homemade jam. Wunderbar 🙂

In addition, my mother had good weather here, just to be safe, if my would no longer passed on from yesterday for the weekend. Now nothing could go wrong indeed. On both days we explored the city and enjoyed the sun at the beach. Simply a great girls weekend. Shoppen stand natürlich auch mit auf dem Programm 🙂

Once again I had to find, that photography is truly an art in itself. In the two days my mother probably has more good photos taken when I was in the last two months. But I'll keep practicing. Vielleicht kriege ich das ja eines Tages auch noch hin 🙂

Far too quickly walked past the time. Monday morning we had to say goodbye again. But it's not for a long time. The end of July I have up in a week furlough.

Even from my bed I could clearly see the gray sky. I do not want to get up. Kalt war es außerdem 🙁 Also nochmal rumgedreht….maybe it's after everything better.

After breakfast and extensive work on the laptop, the weather looked still not promising. The long bike ride, I had picked out to me yesterday, was me then too risky. But a small round plus some education, should indeed be possible in this weather.

I quickly packed my things and off we went. I was not yet 5 Minutes on the road, because the sun came out. Why not the same as? Always at the booth along the direction Middlekerke. After an hour I take a break and lay down for half an hour at the beach in the sun. Wonderful and warm.

Then education was announced. If your there comes times to Oostende, I can recommend the Atlantic Wall Museum. A piece of living history. I spent almost two hours with an audio guide on the go. A great afternoon and very interesting.

View from a bunker

(More pictures can be found under Picture Galleries: Oostende)

After that, I've even indulged in a brief visit to the sauna. When I was back on the buzzer at half past eight, I did not finish off the perfect day with a German beer.

Sometimes you just have to go, then it is almost always a great day.