And back to Britain. Today, I crossed the channel again, this time from Dunkerque, to Ramsgate. We left at 0715h, and it took about 90 minutes to get through the lift bridges and two locks to get to the sea. It was a lovely morning, and we made exceptional progress with a following tide through most of the journey (we actually had to go in a large U shape, because of the Traffic Separation Zones, that must be crossed at right angles.) This allowed us to have the tide change at the bottom of the U, so we really moved along.
Dunkerque harbour from the belltower
The weather was perfect, and we had an exceptional crossing, with milder seas than the last time (which I thought was very easy!). We arrived in Ramsgate just after 1400h, and moored in the harbour there, on pontoons that rise and fall with the spring tides, some 5m. A beautiful evening, and with great crew, as Chris S. joined me again for more boat time.
the harbour exit as we enter the North Sea
entering the last sea lock with ‘protection’ as we go
