Once in the Strait's the weather change for the better and we made our way down the buoyed channel and picked up a mooring at Beaumaris. The time 18.45 hrs. We had achieved around 63 miles.

Beaumaris

We had a peaceful night on the moorings and after working out what time to leave to go through the Swellies we let go at 17.45 hrs the weather was good and we made good progress arriving at Caernarfon our chosen destination at 20.00hrs a total of 9.30 miles. We were met on the harbour pontoon by a chap who kindly took our mooring lines and welcomed us in, he turned out to be the commodore of Plymouth Harbour Yacht Club his boat a large cruiser was called Finale Boat.

Caernarfon is one of our favourite places and after several visits we know our way round quite well (good chippies, beer, etc,) so we made our way up to Sainsburys supermarket for the last half hour of opening, what a bonus, almost everything was reduced to at least half price so we bought lots of goodies (cream cakes etc) we then made our way back to the boat and a meal fit for a king.

Friday 14th May,

We awoke to a fine sunny morning and at 07.10 made our way out of the harbour to pick our way over the Caernarfon bar, the sea was very calm and the sun was belting down and by the time we reached Porth Dinllaen, which we had intended as our next stop we decided to go onto Fishguard. We went through Bardsey Sound and out across Cardigan Bay arriving at Fishguard at 21.30hrs the weather was still good around force 2-3 and a beautiful sunset. We nosed our way in and
dropped anchor there was no moorings available. We had covered 70 nautical miles.

Morning arrived to the sound of small engines and lots of shouting all around us. I popped my head out to see what was going on there was several boat tenders going to and fro, some yachts had let go of there moorings. I asked a passing yacht what was happening and he told me it was a club meeting and that they intended to race down to a place called Solva. We looked it up on the chart and decided it might be a good idea to pop in behind them and have a nice sail down the coast well inshore with the benefit of their local knowledge. The flotilla started to leave there must have been a dozen a more boats in all and we followed in behind them around the Northern Breakwater, the time was 09.30hrs. The sea state was as we left it yesterday, hardly a ripple and there was lots of sunshine. What a wonderful sight all the boats had their sails up shining in the morning sunshine and reflecting on the clear blue sea.

We cruised for some ten miles in what I could describe as perfect conditions and we kept well clear of the so called race, I say this because there was no wind. Irene decided that as things were going so well she would go and catch up with some sleep so off she went to her bunk. I could see on the arisen what looked like a large fog bank but I paid it no heed after all I was still following the pack. I started to pay more attention when the boats started disappearing one by one. I was soon into the fog but I could see one boat at about 300 yards so I increased speed a little to keep tabs on him. To my dismay he to disappeared and here I was approaching St Davids Head. On my charts I had worked out a route which would take me well clear of the Bishops and Clerks, and in the present position I found myself I decided the best plan would be to get back to my original sail plan which meant turning back to retrace my track or cutting across towards Bais Bank. This meant running the gauntlet with the rip tides and over falls, I decided on the latter. By now the fog was down to about two boat lengths, I decided to head for my nearest planned waypoint. All went well till I started to hit the riptides I could not believe it the sea was so rough and the waves seemed so steep and high. Poor old Salty was taking a right bashing. I was not doing to well either, the prow was going well clear of the water then slamming down with great force, it didn't take long before Irene popped her head out of her bunk to see what was going on. I told her to stay where she was and hold on.

The agony went on for what seemed a life time and we eventually broke through the fog to my portside I could see the Bishops and Clerks and they were too near for my liking, (not a pretty sight) so I opened up to full throttle and thought lets get the hell out of here.

Eventually I reached the waypoint of my original plan and I was now well out of harms reach and guess what? The sea had calmed down and the sun was back with us. I took time to reflect what might have been, how foolish I had been and how lucky we were to get through it all unscathed, (never again). Irene eventually arose and joined me for the rest of the trip. I can tell you we kept well clear Skomer Island the Broad Sound and Stockholm Island with all their rip tides.
Eventually, St Ann's Head came into view and we went down to the fairway buoy
and on into Milford Haven where we turned to port and went on the floating pontoon at Dale.
We had covered around 48.9 miles, the time was 17.30hrs.
After tea we went down river to the marina, we locked in and the lock keeper said we could stay in the lock and get diesel in a container I got 45 ltrs at £15 the lock keeper then opened the gates and we then returned to the pontoon at Dale. The time was 20.00 hrs and we turned in to our bunks for a early start tomorrow, weather permitting.

Sunday 16th May.

We arose early and let go our moorings at 06.00 hrs our planned destination was Padstow, the weather was once again very calm and the sea state was like a mill pond. There was plenty of big ship movement for the first hour or so and we even had to alter course to go behind a big freighter. Once out of the way of the big stuff we settled down to our long journey across the outer Bristol Channel.
We had been going around five hours when Irene spotted a dolphin so she rushed for the camera and went to rear of the boat and then to port, we could not believe our eyes there was dolphins everywhere and lots of them, they really put a show on for us it was fantastic.

They stayed with us for around an hour and then disappeared as soon as they had appeared.
It was getting rather late when the approach to Padstow finally raised its head and fog had decided to make things a little more difficult, as the darkness set in. We could make out the large rocks that guard the

entrance to the river Camel and we left them to port, by now we were looking for lights rather than land marks as we edged our way in, I could see one or two breakers off to port but concentrated more on getting down the river with Irene doing an excellent job of buoy spotting in the now thicker fog and complete darkness. I was continually calling the harbour master to make sure our entrance to Padstow Harbour was permissible, luckily we were only progressing at a snails pace when we came to a sudden halt, we had run aground I went up to the bow to see what was around us and there right in front of us was the lock gates and they were closed. I returned to my radio and once again tried to raise the lock keeper to no avail eventually the radio answered with a call from the ferryman, he explained that he runs the ferry across the Camel from Padstow to Porthilly on the other side, he went on to tell me that there will be no one on duty at the locks until 03.00hrs. The time now was 21.30hrs, he also advised me to pick up a buoy in the river when the tide raised. I had to sit down and think about this, it all meant that I had actually arrived at Padstow in the fog in the dark and come over the bar at low water, (phew I must be good). Anyhow the water did eventually rise and with the help of a good strong lamp we picked up a mooring in the centre of the river. The fog had lifted and we could see other boats on their moorings. I do not recall the time but we were both very tired, we noticed that all the boats had anchor lights on, so I decided that I would wait for the locks and Irene should get some shuteye.
At 03.00hrs I called the lock keeper and he promptly replied and instructed me where to moor our boat. I awoke Irene, we entered the Harbour and went to our allotted berth, tied up and crawled into bed completely knackered. I estimated we had travelled 71 miles. 'Oh and It was my 65th Birthday.

When we arose from our slumber the sun greeted us and we were in for a nice sunny afternoon. We went to see the harbour master to pay our dues, got a new tide table and topped up the diesel. Irene disappeared and returned with a birthday present for me, a lovely collage with a boat and lots of nautical bits around it. She also brought some rather scrumptious cream cakes and we had our own little birthday party. I opened my birthday cards and was really touched at one from the members at Glasson Sailing club wishing me well and a safe journey. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine.

Tuesday the 18th

we decided to get an early start and make our way round Lands End and on to Penzance. In the harbour it was quite foggy but you could see the wall on the other side and as it was still very early maybe the fog would lift when the sun gets to it. We let go went through the Harbour gates and turned into the Channel. A small fishing vessel had just gone ahead of me so I thought I would follow him down the channel, he soon disappeared and we could not see anything, eventually we spotted the port hand buoy that sits just outside the harbour entrance so we did a sharp turn round inching our way along the harbour wall and back to the safety of the harbour.

When we tied up the guys from the two yachts that were about to leave asked what the conditions were like outside the harbour, against our information and advice both decided to leave. Irene and I made our way up to the harbour wall where we could watch them leave. The first yacht passed us with the skipper shouting ces't la vie the second yacht arrived with a young lady peering over the pulpit and the skipper glued to the tiller staring into fog, he lasted around two minutes and promptly turned back in. The lock gates were due to close in twenty minutes so we waited to see if the first yacht would return and sure enough he soon appeared out of the gloom with a glum looking skipper at the helm. He had made the locks with only five minutes to spare, he later told me that he had almost hit the port hand buoy and was lucky to get back to the harbour. (Well we did warn him.)

The fog did lift around lunch time and once again we enjoyed basking in the sunshine.

The next morning Wednesday the 19th May we were up and ready at 04.00hrs, this time I made a point of going up on the harbour wall and looking down the river. I was pleased to see the river was clear of fog so we cast off and made our way once again out into the river. The time was 05.30hrs.

We were soon off Stepper Point and making our way down past Gulland Rock which we gave a wide berth. A few dolphins came to have a look at us and the sun appeared making it a very pleasant morning. We headed on to Trevose Head and on past the Stones. (keeping well out of course).
We eventually arrived off Longships an ore inspiring sight if I ever saw one, not a place to hang around in . We soldiered on and was soon turning into Penzance Bay I radioed Penzance harbour master and was instructed where to tie up. Today was a good day and we had achieved 62 miles and arrived at 17.15 hrs.

We topped up with diesel made use of the showers and did a few errands in the town. The following morning was another nice day and with a good weather forecast we decided to keep going while the going was good. At 05.00hrs we set off, Fowey being our next target. The going was once again excellent and we made good time. When we were off Lizard Point a good way off I might add, Irene shouted alarmingly that there was something in front of us. I took evasive action and turned slightly to port I then went to look over where Irene was pointing and to my amazement saw a very large basking shark no more than two yards away from the boat. It was a lot larger than the boat, we were very lucky to have missed it. We later heard on the radio that there had been three of them in the area.

We arrived at Fowey at 17.45hrs, 39 miles under the belt. We moored on the floating pontoon and settled in for the night. I must say at this stage that Fowey is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, with its houses all painted in pastel colours reflecting into water it makes what I would term an artists paradise.

I promised myself I must paint it one day. The next morning we sailed across to the towns pontoon where we could fill the water tank and have a quick look around the town we bought another tide table paid for the moorings and cast off at 11.15 hrs heading for Salcolme.

Once again another nice day as we headed along the coast. Off Plymouth we saw what we presumed to be an air sea rescue with a helicopter lifting a person out of the sea. We hoped the rescue was successful. We finally arrived at Salcolme and was met by the harbour master in his launch he directed us to a pickup buoy where we stayed for the night. Mileage for the day was 38 miles.
After a good nights kip we hailed the water taxi we wanted to stock up with food and get some diesel from the fuel barge. We did our little errands and made our way back to the water taxi we were taken for our fuel and on the way back to Salty Fiddler we discovered that the water taxi man came from Lancaster.

And had worked in Blackburn. He said that because we were from Lancashire he could not charge us What a nice guy.

ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

Sunday the 23rd of May.

At 03.45 we were awakened by the alarm that I had set last night, we wanted to get off as soon as the tide allowed. We intended to cross the Channel from Salcolme to Braye on Alderney, in the Channel Isles. It was a lovely crisp morning, still rather dark but you could make all the reverent land marks from the lights twinkling down from the buildings in the harbour. The small fishing vessel which was moored close to us was making ready for the off, you could plainly see the skipper busily tending to his lines. I went up front to let go of the mooring line and as I did so, the fishing vessel went by, we watched him make his way down the buoyed channel and followed in behind him. Leaving a harbour like Salcolme in the dark is something I would not like to do very often. We followed the fishing vessel around what seemed to be a kind of dog leg before entering the main channel. We were now on our own and as we slowly made our way to the two high cliffs that start the entrance to the bar and the open sea. As we approached wolf rock we could see a yacht off to port and he was moving stern first, he was obviously dragging his anchor and he was amongst the cliff and the rocks that laid all around. We tried in vain to call him on the radio and we also tried to call the coastguard and the harbour master. We got no answer from anybody. I presumed because we were between the cliffs and that we only had a small mast they could not hear my transmission. Due to the rocks that lay between us we could not go to his assistance so we kept to our course and hoped they would come to no harm. We later heard our message being relayed to the coastguard.

We were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise as we made our way out across the English channel and we were soon counting the big ships running in lines on the horizon. Irene rigged up the auto helm and we settled down to our epic crossing. The sun had disappeared and the sky had become a rather heavy grey. After around eight hours into the journey the wind built up to the top end of a force four and the sea got a little lumpy, the auto helm started to struggle so we had to take it off. During the crossing we were almost run down by a large fishing vessel he seemed to come straight towards us. I brought the boat to almost a stop to avoid him, we both agreed that a few choice words was the only way to describe him as we bobbed about in his wake.
Irene later went for a lie down and left me at the helm where I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open. I was soon brought back to reality as we now reached the traffic separation zone on the French side, there was large ships one after another approaching in both directions. I coped for a while then I had to awake Irene to keep watch astern as we crossed between the ships. (Frightening to say the least). We eventually arrived off Alderney and we were against the tide. There was a large rock off to starboard and we seemed to be lined up with it for far to long, we were convinced we were not moving at all.
Eventually the GPS recorded we were moving at one and a half knots.
We carried on in this situation for a good hour or so and we were very tired and frustrated. Later the entrance to Braye harbour opened its welcome arms and we made for one of the many mooring buoys with great relief. We had covered seventy miles and it had taken us till 18.30hrs a total of sixteen hours.

It was getting towards lunchtime when we finally raised our heads. The harbour was very busy with lots of small boats scurrying around and one of them the harbour masters launch came along side to take our particulars. He gave us some information on shops and places to visit. After lunch we hailed a water taxi and went ashore for a nosy around and pay our mooring fees at the harbour masters office. The harbour master was so helpful, he advised us about the tides and the best time to leave to catch the flow to our next destination, Saint - Vast - La - Hougue to which he kindly advised us to visit. He also gave us last years almanac of the French harbours and tide runs. We then went to the small supermarket to buy one or two essentials after which we made our way back to Salty Fiddler Via the water taxi. Irene then made a wonderful meal which consisted of roast chicken; roast potatoes, carrots and apple sauce followed by some lovely cream cakes acquired while at the shops. We opened a bottle of wine and relaxed for the rest of the day in the nice warm sunshine.

Next morning Tuesday the 24th May we were once again busy making ready for an early start when the skipper off the yacht moored next to us came across in his tender, he explained he had seen our ensign and wondered where we had sailed from. I told him Glasson which seemed to satisfy his curiosity, we exchanged a few pleasantries and he then returned to his boat. Shortly afterwards he made his way back to our boat and asked 'did I mean the Glasson that lies on the river Lune'. I replied 'yes that's right Morecambe Bay in Lancashire' he returned 'you have come all the way down the West coast of England and across the English Channel in a twenty two foot boat, well I must congratulate you both and asked to shake both our hands' he asked if we would accept a new tide almanac which he held out to me, he said he has two copies and it might help us to have one. I gladly excepted. He said his goodbyes and returned to his boat Summer Song.

The time was now 08.15 and we let go the mooring two and half hours before low water to catch the tide flowing Eastwards. We were soon out of the Aldeney fairway and we turned eastwards to cruise down the French coast. We were now going with the tidal flow and we were reaching ten knots at times averaging seven to eight knots. We had a good day, the sun shone and the sea stayed so calm. We enjoyed the ride and we were soon looking for the buoy that would lead us into Saint-Vast-La-Houge .

As we approached the marina pontoons a young lady came along side to take our lines, she was from the large yacht on the next pontoon, she was called Bonita and her yacht was called Mystical. We had arrived at 16.20hrs and we had sailed 50 miles.

We stepped ashore and we were now on French soil and at this point according
to my calculations we had covered 521 miles. Bonita gave us directions to the supermarket, so after a good chat we set off for some beers and a few more goodies. We later opened a few beers and had a wind down.
Wednesday the 26th May we decided to stay another day and have a well earned rest, the mooring fees were only 11Euroes and the marina was first class. That afternoon a very large cruiser was reversing onto the pontoon on our port side and Irene went to give a hand and I shortly followed and we helped tie her in she was a Princess 56 and she dwarfed our boat. The boat was called Foxy B and her owners were Norman and his wife Elaine they later invited us on board for tea and cakes, we also got a tour of the boat.

Thursday 27th May

another nice day we walked into the town Irene had her hair done and we visited the chandlery and bought some much needed charts we also bought some cream cakes so we could return the compliment and invite our new neighbours on board for tea and cakes (see how the other half live). We also invited Bonita, who promptly brought some champers. Our guests stayed for around three hours on the back of our boat amongst the petrol cans and other clutter that Irene had skilfully hidden under some posh towels.
Bonita asked if we might stay another day as her husband was due to arrive the following morning and she would like him to meet us before we left.

Friday the 28th May

The weather forecast shown in the harbour masters office read force 5 so the decision to stay and meet Bonita's husband was an easy one, we were invited to dinner on Bonita's boat along with Norman and Elaine off Foxy B. Bonita's husband Jon advised me to make Deauville our next port of call he said it was a much nicer marina and as he berths his boat there, he and Bonita could meet up with us.

Saturday the 29th May

. Our friends were up to release our lines and wave us goodbye, the time was 06.00hrs and the sun was just about peeping over the horizon, we set our course and off we set along the coast. A good way into our passage the weather made a turn for the worst, around a force 5 with rain lashing on the cockpit windscreen and just to make our dilemma a little more difficult the windscreen wiper packed in and fell off. We could make out a large ferry approaching on our port side and as he past us Irene went to the chart to see where he was heading and as we were only a mile or so off shore (to which I hasten to add we could not see). We deduced he was going in at Ouistreham and as the entrance did not look to difficult we decided that it was also the place for us. We found our way into the buoyed channel and eventually moored to the waiting pontoon to wait for the entrance lock to open.

The green lights told us it was our turn to enter the lock and as we proceeded we were joined by a host of boats of all shapes and sizes, the lock a very large one housed all the boats with room to spare. The gates soon opened and we were soon turning sharp to port and into the marina. The marina was unbelievably full but we eventually found an empty space only to be told it was private but we moored there anyway, two other small boats came alongside and rafted up to us, so we thought we would not be moved any way. The time was17.30hrs and we had sailed 46 miles.

The two boats that had rafted up against us were French and there crew quickly made themselves known to us, they invited us onboard for a drink and we gladly excepted. I took the flagon of wine we had bought in St Vaast but they insisted on drinking their Pernod. Irene had a few glasses but I stuck to the wine. They spoke good English and went on to tell us that the skippers father who was 84 had served with the Royal Air Force during world war two and that he had been awarded the Military Cross. They had come to Ouisteham for the D Day celebrations and they went on to tell us that the house on the river was the first house to be liberated during the D Day invasion.

Sunday 30th May.

We said goodbye to our French comrades made our way to the lock and was on our way at 11.15 hrs. We made our way slowly along the coast so as we would meet the oncoming tide. Reaching the Seine we still kept our speed down and slowly made our way down to Honflleur keeping well out of the way of the big ships that were going the same way.
We arrived at the lock gate entrance and found that we had to wait three quarters of an hour for the gate to open. The locks open on the hour for incoming traffic and on the half hour for outgoing. Whilst waiting for the lock and looking back to the main stream of the river, we could now see how fast the flow had started and we actually saw a large yacht going backwards with the stream. Later when we entered the lock the unfortunate yacht joined us with a look of relief on the skippers face as he smiled towards me. When the locks opened we made our way down river to where several yachts were moored against the large harbour wall, we were informed that the marina was full and taking no more craft, so we went along side the wall rafting up to an unmanned yacht. The time was 17.15hrs and we had covered 22 miles. (Our total mileage 589 miles.) We spent the evening walking round the lovely old town.

Monday 31st May.

We were up and out early this morning , we went into the town again to take in the art shops and do a little sight seeing. The marina was situated in the middle of the town and we were invited to berth our boat there, but the entrance was entered though a swing bridge so we declined because we needed a early start when we were leaving.
There was lots of celebrations in the town. We saw lots of WW2 vehicles arriving and there was lots of different bands playing in the town square . Later we were amused by the procession led by the town mayor with children dressed as sailors , they were all carrying decorated boats and some adults were carrying large decorated boats with children in them.

Tuesday 1st June.

We moved the boat nearer the marina so we could top up with water and fuel and then made ready for the journey down the Seine. We were both quite apprehensive at the thought of going down the Seine as you have to complete the journey to Rouen on one tide. (That is like us you have a small boat with a small engine.)

INLAND FRANCE

Wednesday 2nd June.

It was a damp misty morning as we motored down to the open locks .The time was 05.45hrs and you could just make out the suspension bridge at Tancarville which was about a mile down stream.

At 06.30 the lock gates opened and with heart in mouth we entered the Seine knowing there was no chance of turning back. It was 1 hour after low water and already the river was running fast. We were now doing 10 knots and Irene was singing (how would you like to be down by the Seine with me.) which I supposed calmed the situation a little. As we approached Tancarville we could see some very large ships coming out of the locks and disappearing down the river. As we continued we encountered one or two ships and several large barges coming towards us from astern and as they overtook us we had to rapidly get astern of them to avoid their enormous wash. We also had to run the gauntlet with the many ferries that cross the Seine as she passed through the river side towns, they seemed to wait for us to almost draw level to the point of crossing then they would come charging across at us.

Later the sun came out and soon the mist had disappeared.
The Seine was now running through some beautiful countryside with the occasional little village or town appearing along the river banks. As we past one little town Irene brought my attention to a little old chap that had made his way to the river bank straitened himself up and gave us a hearty salute. We could only think he was associating us with the small ships landings on D, Day. After all we were flying along with the red duster an American flag and all our three clubs burgees. The apprehension we had when we left Honfleur had now turned to sheer pleasure.

We arrived at Bassin St Gervais, Rouen. The time was 17.30 hrs and we had completed 107 kilometres. We were expecting some kind of marina here as this is the place to lower your mast .We circled around the basin for a while and we were eventually instructed to moor against a battered old barge . The harbour master then came down to meet us and he said we could moor for one night free of charge but at our own risk and he went on to advise us not to leave the boat unattended. He said he could return the following morning with some men to lower the mast at a cost of 130 Euros. (What a joke).

We informed the harbour master that we would lower the masts ourselves and next morning we were up early doing just that.

Thursday 3rd June.

We were soon ready for the off and when we radioed the harbour master he advised to wait till after the bore had arrived. (what bore?) We did wait but we saw no bore and when we thought it was safe to do so we set off on our merry way. We were pleased to be saying goodbye to the basin in Rouen there was no facilities for yachts and the place was very remote and dirty .They obviously don't cater for pleasure craft at this port .
It was another beautiful day and a pleasure to be back on the river. After a while we arrived at our first lock ecluses d' Amfreville .We called on channel 18 and the lock keeper did the rest. A short while after we arrived at our planned mooring, Ile de la Motelle. There is a small pontoon on the up side of the river we tide up there for the night . The time was 17.30hrs and we had completed 45K.
After tea I was up on the front of the boat attending to the warps when I noticed a small yacht tacking down river towards us and as I watched it crisscrossing the river. I was impressed at the handling of the boat, and I thought it must be some old salt going out for the last sail before the end of the day

To my amazement the helmsman or should I say helmswoman was a young blonde lady and she was completely naked. I must have been watching to intensely for she wave to me and uttered the word Mon-sieur
Friday 4th June. Once again the weather was nice and sunny and as we prepared to cast off we could see a herd of cham-ois on the mountain side that overlooked our mooring, what a wonderful sight. The time at leaving was 09.10hrs.

We enjoyed the rest of the day meandering down the river taking in all the wonderful sights that abound the Seine and finally after 76k we arrived at a beautiful little town called Les Andelys. Off to port there is a small marina and we made it our home for the next few days. The marina is overlooked by the Chateau Guillard, this was the home of Richard the Lion heart.

Saturday 5th June .

Today we spent the morning visiting the town and the afternoon sunbathing on the grassy banks that surround the marina.
That evening we met the crew of the yacht moored a little further down the pontoon, the name of the yacht was 'Tout Mon Bleu. ' and the skipper explained that translated meant ' All my Dough' he said he was a baker and he had sold his business to buy the yacht and sail it to the Med were he planned to live and enjoy his retirement.
Sunday 6th June. We cast off at 06.50hrs .The weather was now very warm so we decided to go as far as possible. We ended up at a place called Port Maron.

We had covered 52.80 miles and we arrived at 18.45 hrs. Port Maron was not a nice place, but because we had encountered a lot of barge traffic we decided any port in a storm.

Monday 7th June.

We could not wait to leave this morning and we were away at 07.30hrs. The music that went on to 0300hrs was still ringing in our ears it came from the boat that last night we had to raft next to. The boat was occupied by some drunken bum , so we thought it best to keep quite and get away early next morning.

We travelled another 20 miles and found a nice little mooring at the side of a beautiful lake overlooked by a hotel. I think the moorings were for visitors to the hotel but nobody bothered us. Later we made our way down to down river to Port Marly where we moored alongside an old barge in the tributary. We had covered 42 miles in total.
That evening Irene received a very distressing phone call, her brother Bob was now very poorly with terminal cancer. Irene was so upset and after a discussion we both decided we would turn the boat round and head for home. From Honfleur to our present position we have travelled 236 miles and we were only approximately 20 miles from the centre of Paris.

The Return Journey>>>>