I write this while getly rolling along a couple of hours into the voyage on the ferry Normandy. It was not the slickest of starts as we were delayed by about 45 minutes as there was a problem at the stern. If I am guessing, something was wrapped around a propellor or appeared to be. Here is the story as I saw it as the sun rose on what will not be a sunny day for long.

First a fishing boat that was passing, the Neptune, stopped to try to help but no success.

By now we had quite an audience on shore as the sun came above the horizon.

Despite a little spit spot of rain the hardier interested passengers continued to ‘enjoy’ the spectacle as the gendarmerie arrived by boat for their effort to get us going.

Even the emergency services had now arrived although I am not sure what they were going to do.

Job done the gendarmerie returned to port and we were on our way.

Drama over. Next stop Portsmouth?