The Voyages of SV Passat II: July 2016

May, 2016 - ST. HELIER - JERSEY - CHANNEL ISLANDS

Another nice downwind sail. We picked up a mooring ball, very briefly, at Gorey, intending to stay the night. It was not to be as we did not like the exposure to the predicted winds. We continued to St. Helier and were glad we did.

The harbor is first rate, the city clean and prosperous, the public bus transport excellent and there is a world class zoo and interesting WWII museum in an underground hospital.

The Maritime Museum is on the dock.

Beaufort scale definition, with a twist.

SV Passat at the visitors dock.

Steam operated clock, shows the wrong time.

My back is sore just seeing this.

Lots of interesting sculptures.

ibid

I was skeptical, but found that the zoo on this small island was equal to the Fort Worth Zoo, which I think is world class.

The zoo's founder.

In WWII the Germans built an underground hospital, using largely slave and conscripted labor. It was never really used as the Allies by-passed the islands and they were not liberated until after the German's surrendered. It is now a museum.

The museum follows the war from the local perspective and is best summarized by the quotes on the metal sheets standing at the entrance.

The British position as France fell. The Islanders had to choose to stay or evacuate to England, with only what they could carry.

Hitler"s Fortress Europe.

The German commander near the end of the war.

Churchill's statement upon liberation.

The hospital itself was never needed as the island was not invaded.

An islander escaped to England in this boat, but was interned until they could determine he was not a spy.

May, 2016 - ISLE MAITRE - MARMOTIER - CHANNEL ISLANDS

We have a great sail from Sark to Isle Maitre. Dolphins crossed our bow as we sea trialed our new sails made by the Dolphin loft. We took this as a good omen.

This group of tiny islets and reefs is between Guernsey and Jersey, There is one and only one deep water mooring ball. The currents prevent all but the bravest from anchoring.

We arrived at the same time as a French boat, but had lowered our sails outside the anchorage. While they lowered their sails we were able to secure the mooring. They tried some of the shallower moorings, but in the end decided to move on.

The mooring is a private one, but reported to be seldom used. We were lucky as the "Richardson" did not come to use it that night.

The wind was against current for a good portion of our stay. This forced the Bobstay against the mooring buoy making an irritating noise. I finally managed to reduce the irritation to a tolerable level by attaching a flat fender across the bow.

We test the new Foresail in a run downwind.

A Dolphin inspects the Foresail.

Fender across Bobstay to reduce rubbing noise.

The only developed islet in the group sports what appears to be a B&B.

May, 2016 - SARK - CHANNEL ISLANDS

As a first sea trail of our new sails we did a 1 1/2 hour sail to the Island of Sark. We tied up to a free mooring ball and spent two nights of peace and quiet on the boat. We bathed in sunlight and watched the fog roll in. A beautiful spot to recharge our "batteries".

UK billionaire modern castle on adjacent islet. You can get a tour of the gardens if you stay in one of their upscale hotels.

I dig out the shorts for the first time this season.

Sandra is not quite ready for shorts yet.

Island in the sun.

The fog starts.

More fog.

Fogged in.

Sunset in the anchorage.

May, 2016 - ST. PETER'S PORT, GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS

We motor sailed in 10 to 15 kt headwinds, mild seas until we hit the race at Cap De Hague, then it was like a washing machine, with 2 meter standing waves, until we rounded. Then a very fast passage to Guernsey, assisted by current.

We took the public bus around the island, enjoyed the local sites and had one of the best dinners out we have had in some time.

The big event was the arrival of our new sails! We bent them on, with the help of Alan and made some 18 tote bags out of the old main sail, with all the sewing done by Felicity. A big thank-you to them!