ALMA's first blog!! We're in Cherbourg after leaving Lymington Sat 2nd May - Geoff, Shirley, David and Doug also onboard. Had intended just a test sail on Sat and then spend Sat night in Portsmouth ready for a very early departure Sun am. However, everything seemed OK on boat and weather was super (although would have been good if it had been 15 to 20 degrees higher!!) so we just kept going through east Solent past Portsmouth and Benbridge and headed for France. Had a lovely night sail - generally clear and a great breeze - and arrived Honfleur around 0530. After a short sleep we got into inner harbour when lock opened at 0830. Got a great berth alongside restaurants (photos to follow when I work out how to post!) and spent a relaxing day exploring this lovely old Normandy port - beautiful old churches, interesting maritime museum (wish the kids had been with us to see it) and great shops and restaurants.
Monday dropped Shirley, David and Doug off in Le Havre then headed for Deauville - another great town but chic and so expensive - top prize went to a jar of honey at E30!!!
Tuesday - bad weather so spent day in Deauville.
Wed - still quite windy in the morning but off to St Vaast (64m); rough at first esp leaving harbour but sailing got better and better as weather improved. Arrived St V 1900 just after lock had opened and we were in restaurant La Chasse Maree by 2030 - great as always.
Thurs - 0730 departure for Cherbourg - a stunningly beautiful early morning and wonderful sail. In Cherbourg by1300 in time to close boat up and get 1630 ferry to UK. Leg 1 complete. Thanks to all the delivery crew and also to everyone who helped in getting ALMA ready this year.
Looking forward to leg 2 - Channel Islands cruise. Hope weather improves!
PS One point of historical interest - in the ferry terminal in Portsmouth there is a display commerating one of the very first VC's awarded - to seaman Thomas reeves in 1954 at the battle of Tinkerman Ridge (Sebastapol). This battle was shortly after the battle of ALMA on 25th October 1954!! VC's are apparently cast in bronze from Russian cannon captured at the battle of Sebastapol.
Next blog in a couple of weeks. Hope to hear from you and/or catch up with many of you soon.
Best wishes
Iain and Helen
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well done - sounds to have been a good first week - have joined your blog as a "follower"! look forward to the next posting
ReplyDeleteLesley
Helen & Iain.
ReplyDeleteWell done in getting the game started. Glad all went well. Looking forward to catching up in June.
Love Steve & Pete.