Up at 04H00. Left our Brighton berth while there was still water under our keel. It was imperative that we got to St Valery en Caux before 16H15 (last time the gates opened on that tide). A passage of only 64NM. If I managed to keep our speed over 6kts we would arrive with time to spare.

Once we were in open sea Brigitte retired down below, and I started my lonely vigil at the helm. Sunrise at sea – always a magical experience. We were pushing the tide for a bit and boat speed dropped to a disappointing 5kts (wind on the nose did not help either). A quick stint of mental maths indicated that we would need the help of the engine to make our destination in time. Bugger.

By the time we reached the TSS, the wind backed a bit and increased in strength. Goody. Sailing along. TSS was quite busy too – in both directions. But nothing to worry about. Did not require a single course change.

However, good things do not tend to last, and by lunchtime the engine had to help us along – again. Motoring, sailing and motor-sailing: this passage had it all.

Landfall was as unexciting as it was lovely. St Valery en Caux: what you hope your first port in France will look like. Lovely town and extremely friendly locals. The ‘stay 3 nights – pay 2 nights’ deal is making our stay here all the sweeter.

First day: boring, but in a very good way. Breakfast in the cockpit, mooch about in town, spell on the beach, shower and dinner. Today: most likely a repeat performance of yesterday. Living the dream!

Looking a bit further ahead: tomorrow we head for Dieppe (looks like more motoring). Forecasts all keep predicting light to no wind, but here on board the barometer keeps dropping. Bit ambivalent about that. Long range forecasts are all predicting that we might be in for a lot more wind – and less sunshine – from Sunday. Bit ambivalent about this.

A ‘Plan B’ is slowly taking shape. Plan A was to get home by the 1st or 2nd of August. Plan B would entail heading home coming Sunday. Tides and times are ideal to make the hop from Boulogne s/Mer to Ipswich in one go. A midnight arrival. We would then head to Brittany by car on Tuesday.

Nothing set in stone as yet, but it always pays to plan for every eventuality.

So far, so good – and hoping for more of the same.