Saturday 21st May – Windsurf *** Le Crotoy – sunny periods + 2 walks ****
SW 10-15 – flattish – Xantos 133 – Tushingham Lightning 7.8 – 40 cm Concrete Wave
24.006 kts max – 21.60 kts ave – 18.50 km.
Top night in our spot at the remote carpark by the Baie of the Somme near Le Crotoy, the mussel collecting tractors made a little noise early on as they headed out to collect their shellfish. Another relaxing start with fingers crossed for some breeze but in no hurry as no water in sight with hide tide at approx. 1:30. So after breakfast Mag and I walked across the sandbanks and it was no surprise that there were loads of people out in groups all over the Baie:) There were 5/6 organised groups with guides out with scopes and there was even a man with a table of food ready for their return with two candle sticks with red candles, a little odd really! The sand/mud was very wet and slippery and as we reached the sea we spotted several seals in a large channel after seeing some Spoonbills fly over – it’s been great for bird spotting and in the two days we have been here have seen nearly 40 different kinds:) The ponies are also out in force with one group saddle less and in swimming stuff heading out to have fun in the sea:)
While returning to the van we saw two large Flysurfer kite launch up at Le Crotoy a good sign we might get some breeze so we went round to the windsurfing car park arriving at midday. The wind was very light but the water was in quite high and there was local rigging up a massive 9.2 on a 120 Fanatic Slalom. He spoke really good English so I checked the forecast and he said the sw was going to be 10/12 kts but if it swung westerly it would increase and we only had about an hour and a half of tide so if I was going I had to rig now. I took a chance rigging the biggest kit I have with me my 133lt and 7.8 which didn’t look anywhere near big enough!
Walking down the slipway with my kit I saw the Frenchman struggling to get going on his big kit but decided to give it a try anyway as the tide was approaching high. With the wind coming across the Baie from the left you could sail straight out towards the lighthouse on the other bank. I was then amazed when the wind filled in in patches and I managed to plane on and off for an hour sailing right out to the channel even managing to get 24 kts before I started to hit the bottom all over the Baie as the tide receded :( The Frenchman called it a day but I continued a while longer and then had to walk miles back to the van!!!
Still it was a bit of fun and was only a few knots of wind off a good session! I don’t think this is a great windsurfing location as you only get about two hours of sailable water, it is much better for kitesurfing as they can be out for at least twice that time!
Mag had had a nice relaxing time reading her book watching the Saturday afternoon prom action, then after I had a nice beach shower she made delicious scrambled egg for dinner as we enjoyed the sunshine. Then a lady in an ice cream van parked right in front of us so we had to move our seats which was not a problem. I noticed a man with a dog talking to a couple of black cats in a hedge opposite so Mag and I went to say hello. Wel,l we have never met such a couple of psycho cats as they both continually hissed as soon as anyone went near!!!
With our 3 Euro car park ticket running out went headed to the little supermarket and back to the spot we stayed last night and it was heaving!!! The car park was full, there was even a coach parked in the lane but we were lucky to get our spot and the crowds soon left.
We then went on a long walk through the pine woods and back along the beach before tea, Mag was then lucky enough to see a young wild boar right opposite our van!!!