These early wake-up calls seem to have become a feature of this cruise. Never mind, places to get to and things to do. Managed to shake my Boulogne-phobia. Nothing went wrong getting in or out, our raft didn't start waving in the night and no-one broke a toe (or anything else for that matter). Daemons have well and truly been exorcised.

The bit between Boulogne a Gris Nez was foul: headwinds and short steep seas (again!). When we then turned to port to cross the TSS and a smile came back to my face. Reaching at nearly 8kts. That's more like it.

Highlight of the trip that was. Once we were across (just east of Dover) we had to steer north again. Great, more headwinds and short steep seas. A frequent and recurring thought these days: 'Why did I not take up snooker?'

Called up Ramsgate Marina on the VHF to check the availability of berths. Ramsgate Week is on, and the last time we were here during Ramsgate Week there wasn't enough room to swing a cat. Needn't have bothered really, place still was deserted - or as good as.

Back in our 'usual' Ramsgate berth; Brigitte of shopping, Yanni's reading and I'm thinking about fixing myself a drink. Same old, same old.

Forecast for tomorrow W-SW 4-5 - occasionally 6. Just the ticket. Here's hoping for one more decent day sailing to finish off the trip, because I'm getting fed up motoring.

Drink? Don't mind if I do.