13th September
Next we moved up the coast to Gatteville. Here we joined a small international group of Campingcaristes, all of whom had stayed in this little bay before.
Brian and Sue from Dorset introduced themselves. Brian fishes at West Bexington, I too fished there regularly for some years. “There are potatoes in that field “ he said “The farmer has finished picking, you can collect what you want, there are Mushrooms in that field there. Down the lane, Blackberries and more Sloes than you can imagine.
“Right all we need is some fish then“ I said.
A fisherman arrived early each morning in the mist and attended his nets just out in the bay.
We tried fishing the bay, it produced no results. A trip around the headland found a rocky outcrop and a beach. Some Mackerel-ling was going on from the beach so we joined in. We saw nothing caught and likewise had no results. Something interesting was going on off the rocks. The locals were fishing for Garfish. We watched and learned the technique.
We moved our vans round to occupy the few spots where it was possible to park up. A trip to Barfleur for large ball floats and we were equipped. Soon we had the right depth and were landing Garfish 80cm long on each high tide.
We almost dined totally off the land and the sea for a day or two. Until the Head Chef gave the order, “do not catch any more of those green boned blighters.“ I never did take a picture of them, shame.
22nd September
We had been enjoying this spot for several days, taking regular trips to Barfleur for shopping and the facilities. It was still warm enough to swim. The quiet lanes were ideal for cycling. The open fields had much of interest. An old stone quarry nearby had created a large deep pond, this was home to Rudd and they were prey for Kingfishers.
Of course the coastline here had been defended, concrete gun emplacements and block houses were build, one or two of these have been converted into holiday homes. Now out of season they were locked and barred. The other vans had come and gone, we were alone with the views.
We were now just round the corner from Cherborg, one day we will go and buy a ferry ticket back home, but we had no thoughts yet.
High tide was at tea time, I went out onto the rocks and landed a couple of Garfish for dinner. The wind was getting a bit strong and the sky went black. As I packed up my gear the wind got stronger, grand for generating power. As the evening came, the winds increased the sea was rough and came up either side of our little spit we were on. Further than we had seen it before.
The wind generator started to scream, I put on full load, every light, the TV and the fridge which take a lot of current, the generator did not slow one bit. We decided that it would be better back round in the small bay, so two happy campers went out in pouring rain and lashing gales, lowered the wind generator, easy to say but quite a game when it was bending the 35mm dia. pole and screaming like a banshee.
Catch a blade on something and the broken bits would take your head off I should think. There is a loop on the tail fin to pull the generator round out of the wind, maintaining that position took considerable effort. After this experience I have changed my mounting system doing away with guys.
The storm came off the Atlantic and there was nothing to filter it, once round in the bay it was much better. The storm raged but we were safe and sound.
(c) All material is copyright of the Author
