This time we did NOT seem to mistime the Alderney Race. Sailed from outside the Inner harbour of Cherbourg to just outside Dielette. At this point it was not long before low water. However coefficient not too high so took a look inside and found the depth no less than 2m on the way in and more inside. They have just put in a load of new piles in the outer harbour and the piling barge was still there (thankfully not piling!) so we were directed to the fuel berth to wait. Rafted against the English boat "Stark". A Frenchh boat later joined on the outside of us. Used the brand new self-service fuel pumps on their first day of operation. A small fishing boats squeezed onto the end of the berth and filled up. Afterwards a second larger boat took its place and filled with 500 litres of diesel. Asked us to fend him off. Before going he offered us a crab. Handed over a large spider crab (arraigner), alive. Too big for any of our pans - filled the bottom of the bucket. Borrowed a v large pan from the French boat and Pam cooked it. Crab (and not much else) for supper
