Feecamp to Le Havre

Over the last couple of days the weather turned really sour. Gale force conditions were eveident and no one was entering or leaving the safety of Feecamp marina. So we spent the time enjoying the town and making use of our bikes, which by the way is the single most useful posession on an extended cruising trip by far. I was certinaly just happy to be in France and not at all bothered to rest after the built up anxiety of leaving England for good.
Finally as the weather cleared slightly, neighbouring boats began to take decisions to leave. The forecast was for a westerly beaufort forece 5-6, a direct headwind and short sea, testing conditions for anyone. Confidence or stupidity had grown on us after our tryumphant crossing of the English Channel and as such we decided also to head off towards Le Havre.
The twenty mile journey, which normally would take around four hours, took us nearly eight in the most testing conditions we have ever been in. On recllection it would have been better to drop the sails and motor most of the way, but I was more interested in sailing. It was also the first real test for Flora Ella up wind and she prooved to be quite average, probably a combination of a short keel, high above water area and an undersized Genoa.
Arriving at 21.00 I noted in the log ‘Arrived, Le Havre, soaked and wet inside and out. Realised we have leaking cabin windows and a wet bed. Really tough sail and the lost testing conditions for Flora Ella and us so far.’

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