With this year's Summer Solstice falling mid week on a Wednesday it was an opportunity for some boats to make an extended cruise via the Channel Islands, instead of working it around a long weekend. On Saturday with all the bureaucratic exit and arrival formalities sorted beforehand (actually quite simple now) it was Bill and Lorraine on Merlot, Joan, Miles and Eva on Grey Knott, Paul on Winters Maid and Ray and Annie on Crystella that set off at 5am to a gorgeous sunrise across the channel towards Alderney.
The crossing was largely uneventful, the shipping giving little concern to our progress. With a light easterly it meant a typical mix of motoring and sailing to maintain the planned 5 knots speed and the text book cancellation of the eastbound and westbound tides. Only minor course corrections from 10 miles out of Braye Harbour were required to ensure we were slightly up-tide of the entrance, in these waters there's no going back, especially at springs!!
Crystella, Grey Knott and Merlot all moored on the visitor moorings in Braye Harbour taking various eating options either on board or ashore but all ending up in The Divers Inn for nightcaps. Meanwhile Winters Maid headed for the tranquil anchorage of Corblets Bay in solitude.
Sunday morning brought another day of sunshine and a couple of hours to explore ashore before timing our departure at 11.30 for a free ride through The Swinge towards St Peter Port on Guernsey. Paul on Winters Maid came round from his anchorage and hovered around the others until ready to slip. We sailed for a couple hours but then very light winds meant some more motoring as we headed towards the Little Russell channel. Then out of the blue a thick fog bank came down and slowed our progress to a snail's pace. Thank heavens for chartplotters, GPS and AIS, but only if it's working! Grey Knott was having trouble with their electronic navigation so Crystella stopped and directed them towards them using AIS and mutual blasts on fog horns until they suddenly appeared like an apparition out of the murk less than 50 meters away! Quite disconcerting! Fortunately, traffic was light and we all nursed our way in safely, the fog eventually cleared on our approach to St Peter Port. Phew!! Plenty to talk about then at The Boathouse restaurant on our group meal!
Monday morning had a rude awakening for most of us, albeit pre-planned, we had been rafting 4 deep on a boat that wanted to leave at 7am, all part of the “fun” I'm afraid. No problem really as we all had a free day to explore the Island except Winters Maid, Paul decided to have a sail round to Sark and anchor for the night. Monday morning also saw the departure from Weymouth of Nick and John on Kolibri, they were crossing directly to Cherbourg.
Tuesday was another earlyish start at 7am as we headed back up the Little Russell en route for Cherbourg. Another worrying moment was averted as fog that was present when we awoke cleared just before our departure. Another Phew! On the same day after a “proper” early start departing from Dartmouth on an overnighter, Simon and Mairi on Carpe Diem arrived in Cherbourg, ahead of the main flotilla. Winters Maid negotiated the Alderney Race ahead of Merlot, Grey Knott and Crystella, having started out separately from Sark. Once within radio contact with him, an excited Paul squealed over the airwaves that he was doing 10 knots SOG! After rounding Cap de La Hague, the tide turned foul and we struggled past Basse Brefort North Cardinal Mark with many revs on our engines until we got some respite in the back eddy close inshore! We closed in on Winters Maid resplendent under full technicolour spinnaker as we entered the Western Entrance of the Grand Rade. 6 Weymouth boats were now safely moored in Port Chantereyne Marina, one more was set to join the party. Kevin Stibbs and his motley crew on Maud Rose departed for an overnight dash to Cherbourg.
Wednesday was Solstice day, beginning with the usual visit to Normandie Wines to add ballast to our bilges, thank heavens for the free delivery right into our cockpits! Later the main celebrations began with drumming troops and live bands playing in the squares and on every street corner, with the beer and wine flowing the partying went on into the early hours.
Thursday morning saw the early departure of a fully laden Maud Rose back to Weymouth, talk about burning the candle, how did they do that? And why? Winters Maid cruised round to Barfleur for the night and the remaining crews stayed in Cherbourg to explore or just chill, all meeting up in the evening for a final group meal.
Friday was time for Carpe Diem to continue their summer cruise eastwards to the Normandy ports, whilst it was homeward bound for the remaining boats Kolibri, Grey Knott, Merlot, Crystella and Winters Maid. Several hours of motoring across the channel ensued due to light winds, then a thick fog bank was encountered just as we approached the westbound shipping, once again we were thankful for AIS. Once out of the fog bank after an hour or so the wind started to pick up and varying amounts of pure sailing were enjoyed finishing with a feisty SW5/6 for the last hour right into Weymouth. All home safe and sound.
This now customary annual cruise in company exceeded all expectations, great weather (except for the fog!), great company, great scenery, fine wine and entertainment and some good sailing. What more could you want, get it in your diary for next year now!!
Submitted on 6th July 2023