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You realize that it is important to check tide tables and tidal stream atlas while in the English Channel travelling south, when you're trying to sail against the tide. If not before. There are up to 7-8 knots of tide in some places, so the right timing is crucial. You either get a lot of "free" mileage or the worst nightmare of your life. The Alderney Race along the Channel Islands is highly recommended, but keep in mind that timing is all-important. (When you have experienced the difference between high and low tide in a harbour by up to 11 metres, you will have a better understanding of the force and the sheer power, and how much water is actually being moved back and forth).
As the temperature is rising, so is the concentration of fog. The worst fog I experienced was en route to Aber Wrac'h, France. In the evening I passed the Channel Island of Alderney, and right away in the morning there was a heavy fog. At times so thick I could hardly see my foresail. Before too long I didn't need to, as the wind died down to almost nothing. Then I went by engine. And since it is an outboard engine, I could no longer be listening for other ships. Sometimes though, I did stop the engine to listen. All of the time I was thinking, if only the sun really gains power then it would disappear. But no. After sailing for 10 hours, during which I passed a ferry at half a mile's distance and numerous fishing boats, I had had enough. It's very exhausting sailing in fog, since you're always tense and have to use all of your senses.
 

The nearest port was Aber Wrac'h. The approach looked a little tricky on the map, so I decided to use the Mark mode on my GPS. When pressing the Mark button, the GPS saves your position. Later on, you can then go back to your last known "safe" position. I had to go back two times. The first time the depth dropped to two metres and the second time fishing nets were suddenly in my way, where the approach was supposed to be. It's really hard navigating by compass and at the same time sailing (that) slowly.
 

Sleeping is a calculated risk (especially if your wind steering is "unstable"). In accordance with international navigation regulations (COLREG) you always need to keep a proper lookout for ships. But when you are by yourself you need to sleep at some point, whether it's legal or not. While sailing of course. I always used to sleep for 30 minutes at a time, go up for a quick check and then down to bed again. Down through the English Channel I had to revise my tactics after seeing how fast the ferries are travelling. It takes them less than 15 minutes to pass (by) after seeing them on the horizon. When I'm travelling through busy shipping lanes(/waters) now, I only sleep 15 minutes at a time. (When I'm a passenger on the other hand, I sleep until I wake up). And so far I have survived. I know that while I'm sleeping, ships are passing. But to tell the truth, I'm betting and relying on them to look out for me. At night when it gets dark and I go to bed, I undress so that when I'm up to check, I can hurry back to my warm bed and sleep straight away. I know from experience that when I only sleep for 30 minutes at a time for several days, I can no longer wake up by an ordinary alarm clock. Because of this, I installed a two hour movement from a tumble drier to a horn. Funny thing is that in the morning I can't really remember much about the times I have been in the cockpit. It feels as if I have been sleeping continuously.
During all crossings I sleep through the night, although I know it is based on a false sense of security. Just because I have never collided with anyone... I actually read somewhere that in theory you would have to cross the Atlantic Ocean continuously for 80 years before colliding with someone, so if only the first five years.......
 

Hooray! I have realized that by putting up two 30 litre containers beside the cabin port side, it is now possibly for me to gybe(/jibe) on starboard and still be able to sleep or simply lie on my bed.

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From Esbjerg, Denmark to Tahiti aboard a Junker 22