The Scenic Route

 

Scrutiny of Google satellite images, suggests that there is a scenic route into Barneville.

A path leads through the fields and over a foot bridge.

To run along the banks of a creek. The path gradually broadens into a bridleway and then to a fully metalled road, lined with stone built cottages. On the outskirts of Barneville.

Returning to Cartaret, shopping baskets filled with provisions, the last of the tide is ebbing away. A shellfish boat makes a dash, to enter, before the channel dries.

When it does, a mechanised game of sandcastles ensues. The twice daily rush of the tide is over deepening the channel (left hand side of picture). Undermining the protective concrete-work of the old cill (right hand side of picture). Threatening the quayside.

In an attempt to slow the erosion, one tonne bulk bags are being filled with sand, from the harbour bottom, and dropped into the channel. It explains what seemed to be a bright white line beneath Stargazer, and an unexpected shoaling at this point, when we arrived.

Tomorrow there is a spring tide, the most powerful of them all. There are fifteen to twenty knots of south west wind forecast. In the morning, there will be six hours during which the two combine forces - to carry us north through the Raz Blanchard (Alderney Race), round the Cap de la Hague and then east into Cherbourg. Stargazer is fully victualled and ready to sail.