Etaples and St Valery Sur Somme

 Etaples is a tricky entrance but luckily there were plenty of local boats knocking about to give you a clue and we were lucky to follow a local all the way in. The Capitainarie was very helpful but wanted us to turn the boat around , not sure why, perhaps he hadn't had enough sport that day. We did this after the tide had turned in about four knots of stream. Impossible to bring it back on to the same hammerhead so backed on to the next one up and then left it too late to change it before we told them. They were fine about it. We found out why we had to turn round when we saw the tide come in. Like white water slalom.

Hermione was the first British visitor in 2016.

The French clearly haven't got their tides worked out, whilst it was perfect to attempt entry to Etaples at around midday once you're up here you can't leave until mid afternoon and then your buggered to go in anywhere else. The options are hike back up to Boulogne or try something more adventurous like anchoring overnight or trying a night time entry. Neither recommended.

The speed of the incoming tide is worth seeing. Quicker than a Westerly Centaur around the Isle of Wight.

Gone!

                                                                            Back!

Seagulls here are really big and when you wake up looking up the skirt of an extra large one perched on your aft hatch you get  a sudden feeling that to move rashly may have consequences that might take some time to clear up. We had noticed that our dock was a bombing training ground target for the local gulls.

Le Touquet is a shortish bike ride away and is very pleasant with airfield, equestrian centre and pretty town centre clearly for the rich. Nevertheless a lovely beach and surrounding dunes and woods.

The end of Le Touquet runway. 

On the otherside of this box is a sign that says:

"Si vous ne taken off pas yet puis vous etes dans le merd."

They put a small fence and a large box there just in case you do manage to get off the ground they ensure your under carraige is removed as a lesson.

Etaples at flood

We took the easy option and headed back to Boulogne for the night before setting out early for St Valery Sur Somme. En route I caught the first fish of the trip, an unsuspecting mackerel which we omitted to photograph before throwing him back but very large!

Seven miles of slaloming around red and green cans before you get to this position but well worth it when you get here. Seals,steam trains, cafes, pretty shops and houses and lots of greenery. Very nice place.

Short guys don't bang their heads until they get a boat! Nothing to do with the beer!