Aug 13 In the English Channel

Written by Jack van Ommen on August 13th, 2009

At 9.00 hrs I am at 50.45N 1.10 EAST. 165 miles to go. The second time for “Fleetwood” to cross the Greenwich Zero longitude. Last time was on the way from Cape of Good Hope to Brazil, in 2007. Last night we passed over the track so many brave American and Allied soldiers took to Omaha Beach. We have been staying in between the north and the south bound commercial shipping lanes. A steady procession of tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and an occasional cruise ship. We have not had any problems avoiding the ships. The two lanes get quite close in the narrowest part of the channel, which we are now approaching. We saw the lights of towns on the English South Coast and now are looking at the French coast line. This morning the wind changed from SW to NW and I am motorsailing into the wind because tacking against the current would not get us anywhere. At times we are doing 9 knots with the current and then as little as 2 against it. I’ll be glad to be through the Channel. It is raining and dark. Last night was the best night to see the meteor showers but the sky was covered with clouds. Maybe better luck to-night.

 

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