Instead of carrying on to Breskens, we decided to head back to Dover via Dunkerque. There were a few concerns with the engine, I was having problems with headaches, and also Eddie’s Mum health. So we headed for Dunkerque on May 10th in a good Force 4 but with a head wind so the sea was a bit uppity, especially outside Dunkerque port where we had to wait for a few big ships to enter. Then we made our way to YMCN who were very helpful and friendly as usual. They even came down to give us a hand into our berth. Had a wander into town later and found the supermarket then had a coffee in MacD’s – hoping for a sizeable one but it was TINY!
Had a day of rest the next day, and found the market in town which was quite a big one, then had a coffee in the square. It was nice to have a chance to explore Dunkerque, as we have always made it a flying visit before. We walked down to the lock in the afternoon, which is a huge one where all the ships go through to the canal system and inner docks.
Sunday 12th – we left at 7.30am in a cold breeze and lumpy sea at first. It was a busier crossing than last time, so we had to wait for a few ships to pass. I phoned Dover as we got a bit nearer, and arranged a months berth in Granville. The reason for that being so that we could continue our cruising credit for next year with Premier. We had to wait for Granville to open at 3.55pm and arrived a bit early so sailed up and down opposite St Margarets Bay for a while. Came in the Eastern entrance and proceeded through the Wick channel to our berth E68.
We stayed on in Dover for a few days to sort stuff out, then returned home by train to see Eddies Mum who is very frail and confined to bed. Later on we caught up with Gill, Dave, Jill and Maurice on Misty for a meal which was nice. We returned to Dover and did some sightseeing in Folkestone, and the coast road to Deal as we had the car with us, also a bus trip to Canterbury which was very nice and didn’t take long on the bus. Then we had a call early on Tuesday morning from Palm Court to say Mary had sadly passed away early on that morning, so we packed up and went home. We were sort of expecting it, but not quite so soon, but thankful we had turned back when we did. After that we were busy sorting out funeral, etc. Did manage to return to the boat one weekend for a break, then eventually we came back to Dover on the train on Thursday 6th June to wait for a weather window to sail Hurkur home. After a storm blew through on the Saturday, we sailed home on Sunday 9th June. I woke with a headache that morning, which unfortunately turned into a full blown migraine which made me feel sick with the motion of the boat so I spent most of the trip down below trying to sleep through it all. Eddie had to sail back on his own, and I came up just to help get Hurkur into the lock and onto our berth. Luckily Dave was at the lock when we came in and offered to help us onto our berth. He then gave us a lift home so I could flake out and Eddie took the car back to Sovereign to pack up the boat. A memorable trip, but not in a good way. Nevertheless we managed to enjoy being away some of the time!
Old Folkestone Ferry station
St Margarets Bay
A leafy River Stour that runs through Canterbury