Offshore Passages - Typical Course

Thursday

(eve)

Meet at Landers for a drink, meal and get to know each other. Discuss the likely plan given the weather forecast and the tidal flows for the following day.

Down to the boat, stow gear and discuss watch systems for the following day.

Early to bed in preparation for a very early start - usually about 0400!

Kettle on at about 0345!  Tea and coffee prior to departure as soon as the crew are prepared. If you are lucky you will be vaguely aware of goings on from the comfort of your bunk!  Weather permitting, we set sail for France, and go through the passage planning to ensure that we get there in time for beer and Gallic nosh!  We plan to get into Cherbourg or St Vaast by about 1700 hrs but this clearly depends on the wind strength and direction. Diiner in France!

A reasonably sociable awakening at about 0800. followed by showers and breakfast before setting off according to our plan, and laying a course to round the Cap de la Hague to catch the roller-coaster tide down the Race between the peninsula and Alderney.  A very challenging approach through the Little Russell approach to Guernsey and into Victoria marina.  Big night out in St. Peter Port !

Usually a gentle start. showers and breakfast whilst waiting for the tide to rise enough to allow us out of the marina.  Back up through the Little Russell and North East up to Alderney.  If we get the timings right, we get into to Alderney for lunch.  A good lunch ashore, followed by a lovely siesta, or sometimes a game of cricket on the beach.  We aim to sail back across the channel overnight sailing back into the Solent at dawn.

Depending on the time we have made across the channel, we either have bacon sandwiches on board, or a full English in Cowes!  Either way we aim to tie up in back at base by lunchtime - knackered but elated!

This is a fantastic trip which combines huge fun, lots of laughs and a great deal of invaluable experience.