Needles - Cherbourg - Saturday 12 October 2013

landlord · 21 June 2013, 13:18

Currently planning an end of season cruise over to St Vaast. Doesn't look like anything else is currently planned after The Scilly's and fancy doing a run over to France this year. October can be an excellent month so fingers crossed for some good weather.

Have deliberately planned for this weekend due to lock opening times to the marina in St Vaast on the Saturday and Sunday. It also gives an option to delay until the following weekend if the weather is not right for the first choice and still have decent opening times.

Plan will be to leave the Needles at about midday on the Saturday 12th to arrive St Vaast at about 15.00pm BST. Distance is about 68 miles so allowing 3 hours for the cruise.

Stay overnight in a local B&B. This one is fairly close to the Marina and seems quite reasonable.

Hotel La Granitiere (Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, France) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

Depart Sunday at about 14.30 BST (15.30 local time) to arrive back at the Needles at about 17.30 BST

Another reason for the cruise is a practice run for a trip I'm putting together next year. 2014 is the 70 year anniversary of the D Day landings. So looking at doing a 4 or 5 night trip along the Normandy Coast to include a visit to the Mulberry Harbours. Hence a trip to St Vaast for a bit of a recce.

If anyones interested in joing the cruise in October let me know

Steve_B · 21 June 2013, 13:50

Sounds like a plan. As our "season" will be over by then, put us down and we may have room for a few passengers.
Steve

biffer · 21 June 2013, 15:02

I might ave a go at this one, should have more go in me by then

landlord · 21 June 2013, 15:06

Excellent Biff, if you need a hand getting yours ready let me know

On one condition.....if you do come don't mention how you will do the crossing on one litre of diesel cruising at 30kts

biffer · 21 June 2013, 15:07

Engines back in and on the button, just got to pop the leg on

Brian · 21 June 2013, 15:30

Just a word of warning, landlord, the outside of the lock gates at the marina has an array of small black bouys. These are used to train mussels on. These bouys are a severe p-i-t-a as they tend to mask the entrance.
BTW they are not flagged and are vitually invisible in bad weather or at night.

landlord · 21 June 2013, 15:32

Cheers Brian will keep it in mind.

Brian · 21 June 2013, 15:35

...oh, and just another piece of advice...........
While you are there, don't run out of fuel off the Iles Saint-Marcouf will you!
The time it hapenned to me I had to abandon the boat to be recovered at night. By which time it had drifted some 15 miles, way out into the bay, and was only recovered at 3 in the morning.

MarkWildey · 21 June 2013, 16:01

That was an interesting night!!

Pikey Dave · 21 June 2013, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

...oh, and just another piece of advice...........
While you are there, don't run out of fuel off the Iles Saint-Marcouf will you!
The time it hapenned to me I had to abandon the boat to be recovered at night. By which time it had drifted some 15 miles, way out into the bay, and was only recovered at 3 in the morning.

You can land on the larger of the Iles & explore the old fort & picnic on the beach, well worth a visit. Grand-Camp-Maisy has a good visitor marina & is handy for the Point du Hoc. Port-en-Bessin is close to Arromanche where the remains of the Mulberry harbour are, but it's not as "visiting boat" friendly, you have to anchor in the drying outer harbour. It's a nicer port than Grandcamp though. Loads to see on that stretch of coast, a museum in every village & masses of bunkers etc. Good seafood in any of the ports.

Ian M · 21 June 2013, 17:11

Very interested. Only issue might be if I am in the middle east (again

)

willk · 21 June 2013, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

These are used to train mussels on.

Um, what do they train them to do?

landlord · 21 June 2013, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It's a nicer port than Grandcamp though. Loads to see on that stretch of coast, a museum in every village & masses of bunkers etc. Good seafood in any of the ports.

Agreed Grandcamp can be a bit 'smelly' when they're gathering the seaweed. Did the Normandy coast about 20 years ago in a yacht. Started at Le Havre and stayed at Ouistreham and a few others finishing in St Vaast before heading back across the Channel. Anchored for lunch inside the Mulberry Harbour or whats left of it. Interesting stretch of coast. Plan for next year is to follow the same route but in the RIB.

Ian M · 21 June 2013, 17:41

Fascinating sights underwater as well, I have swum along lines of Sherman tanks just waiting to drive off the landing craft they are on

Maximus · 21 June 2013, 18:20

Yep Sounds like a Good Trip!

Pikey Dave · 21 June 2013, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Fascinating sights underwater as well, I have swum along lines of Sherman tanks just waiting to drive off the landing craft they are on

LST 523 "Carbonell"? Superb dive

Starting to sink into the sand though now, I had a 14lb lobster off there about 15 years ago

Bittentobuggery · 21 June 2013, 18:28

Hi Brian, I remember it well......I was concerned that Cyanide may have suffered an electrical failure and that, without any lights, we could run into her in the darkness. Think we all gained a bit of "experience" that day !

Landlord, The Granitiere used to offer the best accommodation but it's a fair hack to get there, particularly if you're carrying a bag and have wet boat gear. The Café Du Port used to offer a decent bar, a good restaurant and comfortable accommodation on the quayside. It's much more convenient if people need to nip back to the boat for any reason and you're in the heart of town for other bars/restaurants etc, rather than being on the outskirts.

Having stayed at both, not recently I would add, the CdP would be my choice.

landlord · 21 June 2013, 18:40

Thanks for the info, this one has a very good write up and not far from the Marina. Looks like there is plenty of choice. Once I have an idea of numbers Ill book some rooms at one of the B&B's.

charming hotel in normandy, near the sea in fishers man village. hotel B&B and all inclusive hotels. near cherbourg and the harbourg ferry. - Hôtel de France, restaurant Les Fuchsias | St Vaast La Hougue - Réville

Pikey Dave · 21 June 2013, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by landlord

Thanks for the info, this one has a very good write up and not far from the Marina. Looks like there is plenty of choice. Once I have an idea of numbers Ill book some rooms at one of the B&B's.

charming hotel in normandy, near the sea in fishers man village. hotel B&B and all inclusive hotels. near cherbourg and the harbourg ferry. - Hôtel de France, restaurant Les Fuchsias | St Vaast La Hougue - Réville

We'll be in the area for most of August, if you want me to check anything out, just say.

Andre · 21 June 2013, 19:09

I am up for this cruise.