In a brief window between SW and Easterly gales, I hopped off to Cherbourg in Pippa for essential supplies - flat calm on the way over, having met with about 8 dolphins at dusk just before the shipping lanes, and, after a busy evening negotiating these, arriving at 1 am to find a very empty marina! One day ashore and an early night on New Year's Eve. to be woken by sirens (not that kind) at 11pm, and then left at 0330 to be up with the shipping at first light - a pleasant if slightly chilly day motor-sailing home in time for Kay and Kevin's New Year Party.

Photo: Pippa crosses the shipping lanes.
 
Steve Fraser