DOVER TO EASTBOURNE – 14th August
Chris was keen to fill up with fuel before leaving Dover, as we were down to a quarter of a tank. We discovered that the fuel pontoon is just outside the Grenville lock and opens for business at 06:00. Our intention was to leave Grenville Dock and wait at the fuel pontoon, but a large motor boat had spent the night there waiting for them to open, so things were not that simple. Chris did consider rafting onto the motor boat, but as it was pretty big, Carole was not happy about it. However, at about 05:45 the fuel berth attendant wandered down from his hut and suggested we raft up on their own boat behind. At the same time the people appeared on the motor boat, had a quick top up of around 1000 litres of diesel and headed off. We were then able to fill up (a mere 110 litres) and shortly after headed out of the western entrance. It was now 06:30 and as the wind was light the engine was on for the first few miles. Soon, though, the wind increased enough to get the sails up and we made good progress towards Dungeness. The navigation to Eastbourne is fairly straightforward with two waypoints: Dungeness then Eastbourne. The wind was WSW so we continued on our course for about 4 miles then tacked back in. Unfortunately, the wind was not being kind to us and our progress was slow so we put the engine on. The sandy coloured cliffs at Hastings came into view but it seemed to take a long time passing them. Eventually we could make out Beachy Head which is just to the south-west of Sovereign Harbour. We arrived at the safe water buoy just outside and not long after joined about six Dutch yachts in the lock. We were allocated a berth on A pontoon which is right next to the lock gates, so within minutes we were tied up nicely with the kettle on for a well-deserved cuppa.