Saturday 3 September
A warm sunny day to visit the wonderful market in central Cherbourg, offering a harvest festival of local produce: plump juicy blackberries, rosemary-infused green olives, locally caught fresh fish, delicious artisan cheeses and wood-fired bread, and mounds of colourful vegetables that made the Mate’s heart sing: squash in every colour and shape, tomatoes and carrots, mushrooms and more. Coffee and croissants were enjoyed at a pavement café, accompanied by quintessentially French accordion music.
A simple supper of fried plaice with brown shrimp butter and new potatoes – delicious. Unfortunately a near-perfect day was marred by having to move into Chantereyne Marina in something of a hurry when all sensible folk were in their beds.