Sun shining again! Getting used to this now! We got up early in order to get to Waitrose for 8 am in order that we could leave at 0920. Sue and I walked up the interesting zig zag flights of steps up which had obviously been built up the original cliff face. The amazing ( presumably) Victorian facade runs alongside us to the right, covering the white cliffs. At the top we have a great view over the harbour. There are beautiful crescents of smart, tall terraced town houses, with wrought iron balconies looking out to sea. We found a post box that we needed and then the nearby Waitrose, just opening up. Just the fact that there IS a Waitrose means we must mean we have come a long way. An interesting observation was that when buying milk in these parts, ( in a Waitrose!)the UHT cows milk occupied a very small proportion of the shelves and it was on the bottom shelf….. whereas the main stock was milk made out oats, almonds, soya, potato and the jolly person stacking the shelf commented that they would soon be making milk out of cardboard 🤪. We returned to Angelique with our wares and got ready to leave. We ate fresh croissants and drank coffee on the way and soon we could see “the corner “ approaching!Only a few miles of the east coast to go! The white cliffs of Dover are dramatic against the blue green sea and the sky. A quiet emotional moment as we all thought about the war and what these cliffs and these waters had witnessed. For us, leaving the east coast behind and turning west was also poignant. This coast has had its challenges and rewards which we won’t forget in any hurry. Playing Vera Lynn from you tube, we sang along as we sailed. Dover Marina is closed for refurbishment at the moment, so we have no choice but to progress to The Sovereign marina at Eastbourne. It’s a big lock entrance with high pontoons on both sides. We had to sort the fenders at higher than normal height. The instructions were that we would receive berthing instructions once in the lock. That didn’t happen so we just sat there. Eventually we asked again on the radio and they told us to go to E 05. And that it would be starboard hand side Unfortunately arriving at E 05, it was obvious we wouldn’t fit in and would have completely squashed the other boat ! Radioed again they told us to go to E 15 which was almost as equally tight and the issue was confused by telling us it would be starboard side and it was port! So a complete shambles…. glad we had extra crew to help keep moving things around! A sausage supper and a bottle of fizz to celebrate rounding the third corner of our trip!
What I learned today….. yet again to always rig every rope and fender and never rely on berthing instructions being accurate!
White cliffs …. 
Looking back at the corner 
Dover
Boat called Pikey 
Too small! 
Tight! 
Sovereign marines Eastbourne 
Lock out
Angelique 
A significant day for you both. Pleased tha5 the weather has been kinder but sounds as though the sailing has been very technical but Julian was obviously doing his homework over lockdown. Enjoy the sunshine and take care in the channel. We are back home after a wonderful time in Canada and also enjoying some sunshine! They had their worst spring/ early summer for years! However it didn’t stop us having great experiences – lots of beautiful scenery and bear encounters – we had to buy a bear whistle! Lots of love Gill and Kerry xxx
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That sounds amazing! A bear whistle! At least that’s one hazard we haven’t got! Xxxxx
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