Alderney - 25th - 26th May 2014

[Trevor G]

If anyone wants a bank holiday trip to Alderney, we're looking to head over to Alderney on Sunday morning, returning on Mondayafternoon.
The plan is to leave Bembridge around 9am Sunday morning so we'll be going with the tidal flow across the Channel.
We'll be staying on Blue Ray Saturday night in Bembridge if anyone's down the night before (maybe for the Priory Bay picnic) and want's to join us, or come and say hello.

No accommodation on Alderney booked as yet, but plan A is a B&B, Plan B is camping and Plan C is stay on Blue Ray (but it's not ideal as Braye Harbour only has swinging moorings rather than marina pontoons),
Trev

[Brian]

(but it's not ideal as Braye Harbour only has swinging moorings rather than marina pontoons),


This is true, but you can decamp your crew and kit on the dockside (or at Mainbrace if not absolutely low tide) then go to your buoy and call up Mainbrace Water Taxi service and they will then pick you up and deposit you for a modest fee.
Anyone needing fuel will find Mainbrace have dockside diesel and a petrol station is a mere 200yds away (and fuel is cheap cheap cheap!).

[cgf10]

Hi Trevor

We are actually able to make this, have you started ringing around for b&b. How many of you are coming along ? Never been to Alderney before


Chris

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by cgf10

Hi Trevor
We are actually able to make this, have you started ringing around for b&b. How many of you are coming along ? Never been to Alderney before
Chris

Hi Chris
As it stands on Blue Ray will be me and Rick (16)
There is one other boat coming at the moment - a 6.8m Shearwater Cutter based out of Bembridge - hence why we're starting from there.

No - I've not rung round for B&B's yet - if you find anywhere available / reasonable price could you maybe let me know? (Booking the B&B is never high on my priority list as it's hard to do when out and about with work!)

Maybe see you Saturday evening in Bembridge?
Trev
07840 975807

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by Brian

(but it's not ideal as Braye Harbour only has swinging moorings rather than marina pontoons),


This is true, but you can decamp your crew and kit on the dockside (or at Mainbrace if not absolutely low tide) then go to your buoy and call up Mainbrace Water Taxi service and they will then pick you up and deposit you for a modest fee.
Anyone needing fuel will find Mainbrace have dockside diesel and a petrol station is a mere 200yds away (and fuel is cheap cheap cheap!).

Thanks - that's what we normally do. By "not ideal" I meant that as our Shearwater only has a cuddy cabin (and a small bucket) , we do normally rely on using marina services more than maybe a yacht or "proper" Cabin Rib would do.

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by cgf10

Hi Trevor

We are actually able to make this, have you started ringing around for b&b.
Chris

I've just booked a twin room (B&B) at L'Haras B&B L’Haras | Alderney – The Channel Island for Sunday night.
It's close to the Harbour Lights hotel if you end up there.

Trev

[guido]

Mainbrayce taxi channel 37

It can be a bit of a hassle, carrying cans to refuel but I sometimes I find the petrol a bit more competitive just up from the Inner-harbour at the petrol station there. Maybe worth checking.

[cgf10]

We will probably stay in Cowes tonight and leave early in the morning, scoot around to Bembridge to meet you at 0900 if that's still your planned leaving time. This way we can fuel up before leaving. Is it still just the three boats going ?

[Trevor G]

Yes. That's still the plan and Yes - three boats going (inc yours).
See you at 9 on Sunday. Let's use VHF channel 08.
Trev

[martini]

Give my regards to our dear friend Martin and if you could remind him about the £400 he still owes me....

[Paul Cannell]

Have a safe crossing, will think of you having a cold beer @ the harbour while I'm cutting the grass

[markrob]

Hello All

Just following your plan trip with envy, out of intrest how long would you expect to takeon a trip like this if conditions are right?

As there is only so much harbour/coastal trips you can do.

Have a good safe enjoyable trip.

[paulbrown22]

Be interesting to see how the trip across was. I sailed over to Alderney on Thursday, then down to Sark, and am currently sitting in Guernsey where it has been pretty blowy all morning with a southerly wind. Due to die down this afternoon though - hope everyone has a good trip!

[martini]

Conditions down this way have been up n down last few days but generally not bad. Monday looks best, we're heading down to the minquiers with the barby, should be a good un.

[cgf10]

From Bembridge it took us just under 5 hours in the end, quite bumpy with more wind than the forecast but on arrival we were greeted with a hot balmy late afternoon, had a swim in the sea which was just about warm enough. It's been our first trip and we'll certainly be back. Great place

[paulbrown22]

Excellent, glad to hear you all arrived safely. I haven't yet done Channel Islands by RIB, as I tend to only have the RIB in over winter, but is still on my "to do" list. The afternoon was the best part of the day in Guernsey yesterday - wind significantly dropped after 13:00 or so, and sea state much better. I wanted to go to Herm yesterday afternoon, but got stuck replacing a nav light smashed off by a wayward French charter yacht...!

We'll be sailing back up to Alderney this afternoon, and then wind looks good for a passage back to Poole on Tuesday. Not sure we'll manage sub 5 hours, but 8 hours is reasonable for us!

You should have a much faster and smoother passage back today - have fun.

[Trevor G]

Left Alderney at about 10.30 and are now in Yarmouth at the Wheatsheaf topping up on nachos. 3 hours crossing time back. Had tide against us so cruised at about 25 kts. Back to Southampton when we've stuffed our faces here.

[whisper]

I bet , did the rain sting? Looks flat on the Solent so the last leg should be a nice run.

[cgf10]

This was us (Blue Ray, Doumar and Superfly) leaving the south side of the IOW on Saturday morning. It looks sunny enough but I was worried my iPhone was going to fly out my hand whilst I took this shot. I have several other shots of the sky and my feet as it was pretty bumpy.

[cgf10]

I'd put money on them keeping that bunting up all year round.

We plan to go back again over the summer as there was plenty more we have to discover. Great place Alderney

Thanks to everyone who came along, you made us feel very welcome and Trevor for making the invitation on Ribnet.