Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

The entrance to the Somme is a tortuously winding channel across a vast area of mud flats. At low water there is basically no water at all, and at high water vessels drawing 2m or more can get in and out. The key is to get to the ATSO buoy two and a half hours before HW with a copy of the latest buoyage plan in hand, take it slowly, and never assume that the next buoy is where you think it's going to be.

We passed the entrance twice in 2005 and once in 2006 without getting the timing right to go in. In 2008 we seriously considered ending our canal trip there, but didn't because of the lack of public transport links, a wise decision as it turned out. So getting in there was one for the bucket list.

Ironically given that we needed to sail slowly, the sail down from Boulogne was perfect. We kept trying to set the sails really badly, reefing and eventually dropping the main, but unfortunately the Storm is the fastest boat in the fleet whatever we do. We did manage to get a few photos of other members showing off with their spinnakers though.

We all arrived at ATSO at least half an hour too early and had to jill around. As we carefully counted our way through the buoys, with Elaine (who has by far the best eyesight) on lookout, there was an abrupt cry from David Jibb, leading in Sharina II, on VHF. "...ound!!!" was all we heard. Yes, he had indeed gone aground. Fortunately we were some way behind. Ian in Pure Joy, heading cautiously up what he thought was the wrong channel but turned out to be the right way, led the rest of us safely on. Even more fortunately, after another worrying half-hour or so, David managed to get off the mud.

Actually we never saw less than a metre under our 1.7m keel (and more on the way out) so there really is plenty of depth if you get it right.

Phew! Four peaceful days in Saint-Valery, which really is lovely. The weather could have been better, but most of the time it looked threatening rather than actually raining. Bob and Elaine got in some epic walks, and I managed at least one good one (apart from falling over in the mud), several strolls to the Carrefour, and even a run on the last day.

The Somme with not much water in it

Medieval citadel

On the Wednesday we took the steam train to Le Crotoy, which was great fun, although not as much view over the marshes as I had hoped. It rained a lot in Le Crotoy so we were forced to have a very nice lunch with the mandatory fruits de mer for me. I ate oysters (only three) for the first time since Guernsey two years ago, and I was fine!

On the way to Le Crotoy - Sam in a normal carriage (although the wheelchair had to go at the other end of the train in the luggage van)

On the way back - in a wheelchair accessible compartment with hydraulic lift!

Kalessin on the hammerhead in Saint-Valery.

And on the Thursday we had a pontoon party which was mostly on Kalessin and was very delightful.