Half Term Trip

Valent is nearly ready, the weather is promising and we have a final school holiday before the end of the school year and our much awaited departure on our adventures. There was only one thing to do, sail across the channel and visit France again. Covid restrictions are relaxed and we can work with Brexit.

The girls were very tired as half term started, (Lucy had just returned from a week in France on a school trip, which was preceded by a Dads&Daughters camping weekend), so we postponed going to the boat for a day (in favour of sleep), finally getting down on Sunday. A day of sorting, tidying and prepping and we were ready for an early departure on the Monday morning. As dawn broke (04:00) we readied ourselves, and slipped Haslar before 5am. A pleasant motor sail across the channel, only enlivened by Suzy and I hoisting the repaired Main, saw us arrive in Cherbourg late pm on Monday and be allocated a tight berth on the front of J pontoon. Very convenient for the office.

In preparation I had submitted our UK Border Force form (eC1331) and our French Customs Entry form. After checking in at the Marina office, we phoned PAF (the French Border Police) and were asked to present ourselves at their office, about a 20 min walk from the Marina, but very convenient if you happen to be visiting Normandie Wines or the large Carrefour. The PAF were very friendly and took less than a minute to stamp our passports. Then we were legally in France, free to depart the PAF and explore Cherbourg.

A couple of days were spent in the sunny port of Cherbourg, much cheese and wine was bought before we decided it was time to move on. (I am pleased to report that Normandie Wines are still going, just as friendly and obliging as ever). To be honest, we had thought about staying another day, but a rally of 25 boats was due in late pm on the Wednesday and they had booked pontoons J&K, leaving a boat of our size with not many options. So plan A, or was it C, and we decided to pop over to Alderney. First step to clear out of France. This required a visit back to the PAF. I had not realised that I was meant to complete and submit and on-line exit form prior to arriving for the exit stamp, but it was no problem. The very friendly officer, with excellent English, handed me a form to complete, passports were stamped and we returned via the fromagerie (there are now 2 in Cherbourg), to have an early lunch and get ready to leave. A lovely few hours motoring to Alderney, the sun burning down and nearly all the wind being generated by us and the strong tides. Alderney was picturesque perfect. The girls enjoyed helming us over and we successfully picked up one of the large craft visitor buoys.

Alderney gave us a perfect excuse to get the RIB out, pump her up fully and launch. We explored Alderney for a few hours before returning to the harbour for a meal. Unfortunately Rita shut the First & Last a few years ago, and it now appears to be getting converted into a house, so we ended up eating at the Braye Beach Hotel (it was open and they could accommodate us). Dinner was accompanied by a lovely view of Valent.

Next morning it was time to depart and return to the UK in preparation for a weekend of parties and Jubilee celebrations. The wind remained resolutely from Easterly directions and a steady F3/4. So with a full main and the stay sail out, we had a good sail all the way across and headed for The Needles to give us an acceptable wind angle. The girls found it a little bouncy, but we made good time and around 5:30pm we anchored in Alum Bay (the cliffs being famous for their many colours, off The Needles for the evening.

Friday morning, time to weigh anchor and return to Haslar. On the way up the Solent I managed to complete and email by eC1331 arrival form to the UK Border Force, and within half an hour had received clearance back and was instructed to lower Flag Q. We were officially back in the UK. Once tied up, with the boat cleaned and tidied it was back to Woking to baking birthday cakes and Lucy’s Birthday party.