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Northern France

Northern France is the French landscapes of Nord-pas-de-Calais and Picardy. It streches from the mouth of river Seine (or better: from the city of Dieppe) to the Belgian border. May be not the most famous part of France and the coast certainly is'nt the most approachable but there are several ports which may be visited at high tide. Dunkuerque, Calais, Boulogne sur mer and Dieppe are all worth while a visit, and for the adventurous St.Valery sur Somme is a fantastic place: 8 meters tidal range (the port is at +5 meters but has a sill). Local sailors told us that they had had a visitig boat from Sweden some years ago, but definitely never a Danish. It's always fun being first.

 
Baie de la Somme som as seen on Google Earth.The whole bay is dry at low tide; the distance from the approach (ATSO = aproches sur Somme) to the port is around 8 nm.

Leaving St Valery with David as look out. Here is only sufficient depth from 1 hour before high tide but due to our swing keel we are already on our way. The boat in front of us is a swing keeler as well and she took the ground several times.
Baie de la Somme at low tide. St Valery in the distance.

Entry to St. Valery at low tide.
 

David at the helm sailing north along the Dutch coast

Dieppe from 'above'

 The port at Dieppe
 The port at Dieppe
 View south of Dieppe
 Oysters
Fresh fish
Cheese

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