Trojans Maiden Voyage

It was dark at 3am. Half a moon lit the withies as we threaded our way down the shallow creek, into the main channel, then out across the bar. Chichester Harbour soon disappeared into the darkness astern, and we headed for the Owers - the rocks at the southern end of Selsey Bill. The sun rose, a crimson ball, heralding the dawn as we turned east.

Launched a month ago, this was Trojans maiden voyage. The owners had built her on the harbours edge, and now I was delivering her to the French Canals.

You don't see many Dutch motor barges making passage in the Channel, and we drew quizzical looks from all who passed us by. A stop over in Sovereign Harbour, then up early to catch the forecast, the 0430hr lock, and off to Dungeness. Dover Coastguard "tagged" us as we crossed the shipping lanes, and entered Calais.

Re-built after the war, much of the city is that chunky, uninspired architecture of the 50's and 60's, but the Hotel De Ville is fabulous, and its ornamental gardens make a fine setting for Rodin's famous sculpture of the Burghers of Calais.