We're off to Alderney

We could easily have sailed overnight to the Uk from Peter Port but because of the tides it made much more sense to go from Guernsey to Alderney and break the journey there and then we can leave at anytime. Alderney is enough south for us not to have to worry about the south going stream on the ebb tides that controls the departure time from Guernsey.

We had a lovely sail to Alderney after filling out tanks with some nice low cost fuel. We almost didn't make it because we had been sailing so nicely we lost track of time and when we reached the Swinge the tide had just turned.

Alderney is tightly controlled at these times and they monitor every vessel coming and going by AIS and radar and if you get within reach you will be grilled on who your are and where you are going. We knew the form and went to Guernsey first so once cleared into Guernsey you are also free to visit Alderney.

The next morning we had a balmy start to the day with brilliant sunshine and breakfast in the cockpit. Whilst we were sitting we heard what sounded like a bird of prey, we could not track the source of where the sound was coming from. Soon we saw the boat behind us launch their rib and head east towards another boat about ½ a mile behind us. We tuned in the radio to see what was happening and a man single handing his boat has fallen overboard and was clinging to the sides. He was 74 and had been in the water about 1 hour. The harbour master radioed that they were not to help him unless absolutely necessary and they launched their rib and were with him in about a minute. He was carried off to hospital and was later said to be well.

We went for a walk in the town and on the way Linda spotted that the islands train was working (very unusual) so we bought a one way ticket and walked back along the cliff path. This used up the rest of the day.

The next morning we left and went home.