A French couple we had met in Sark had told us that this here (Sark) is all very nice but the Îles Chausey are their paradise. So we thought why can it not be our paradise, too and a plan was made for getting there. In order to make the best of the tide we would have to leave St. Helier at a time when we wouldn’t be able to cross the bar. So we left the evening before and anchored in Belcroute Bay next to St. Aubin’s Fort. It was a place with a nice view and quiet at first but for some reason it got really rolls overnight and we couldn’t sleep again. I have yet to figure out where that swell came from.
We were understandably not in the best of moods when we left early the next morning but were soon rewarded with a great sailing day. Cloudy and windy at first so we made fast progress. Some dolphins came along for part of the ride.
As if timed perfectly the sun came out and the wind died as soon as we entered the tricky passage through the archipelago. We were even able to sail through it with only the genoa.
The Îles Chausey consist of only a few small inhabited islands that are above water permanently. The biggest part of the archipelago can only be seen at low water and then evolves into a vast surreal landscape of rocks and beaches.
We sailed to the largest island in order to pick up a mooring buoy. We were desperate for a quiet night. The buoys were all taken and so we anchored farther in where all seemed to be quiet enough. With a 10 meter tidal range some calculations had to be made and enough chain let out. I was a bit uneasy using the dinghy because there was a very strong current, so we only motored around the bay a bit but didn’t step ashore.
After a nice dinner in the cockpit with a beautiful sunset and the whole shebang we went to bed.
Of course now the wind picked up considerably and since this was a confined space with rocks all around us, I got nervous. It was a clear starry night with lots of shooting stars and you know what I wished for. And yes … the anchor held and I was able to get some sleep.
