Dandelion 110

 

A trio of Range Rovers, with blacked out windows, is parked on the waterfront. One bearing a royal standard, on the bonnet, and no number plates, on its bumpers. Whilst a tight lipped security detail, in mufti, discreetly discourages entry to the pontoons. Sophie Wessex (aka the Duchess of Edinburgh) has come to Guernsey, to give the young ASTO sailors a royal send off.

The fleet departs, for Poole. Borne by twelve knots of southerly breeze. Which is forecast to tail off, to zephyrs, overnight. Some motoring is likely to be required, to safely cross the shipping lanes. 

 I follow the curve of the shore north, out of St Peter Port. A low surf sucking and seething at the shingle, of the beach beside me.

Until I reach St Sampson harbour. Home to Marine & General. With whom I have come to settle up. After their work on Stargazer's water system.

Freshly painted buildings, scaffolding and new pontoons speak of a harbour in transition. From an industrial past, into a leisure based future. Although the cill still retains only a metre and a half of water, at low tide. Making it more suited to power craft.

Despite the depth constraint, and a rock strewn approach, bulk cargoes are unloaded on an outer quay.  Coasters arriving 'on the tide.' Which rises seven to nine metres hereabouts. Their dock, originally built to export quarried granite, for building purposes.