The ongoing march of lows across Britain may possibly have saved the English cricket team but this fit of depressions has left the 26 craft on the MBM Cruising Club fleet stumped, at least temporarily, in its bid for French waters.
The ongoing march of lows across Britain may possibly have saved the English cricket team but this fit of depressions has left the 26 craft on the MBM Cruising Club fleet stumped, at least temporarily, in its bid for French waters.
Most, bar two boats pinned in Brighton and two already in France, had assembled at Berthon Lymington Marina on Saturday evening (18 August) to hear whether a crossing was in prospect for the following day. There was just a slim chance that a depression already well on the way in would clear through quickly and not deepen. Alas, neither was true.
Our plan for Sunday had called for early departures, to keep westerly wind with tide for a crossing to Cherbourg (shorter and not tide-locked compared to the original plan of going straight to Dives-sur-Mer). On MBM’s Sealine F37 Calm Voyager we had been monitoring weather until 0100 before turning in and it didn’t look great. Then, when waking up at 0430 again, a dollop of rainwater flew through the porthole and the masts of surrounding yachts screamed – it was a pretty big clue that all was not going our way.
In the end the day was not wasted. Being on the doorstep of most participants, Lymington has often been a place for passing through rather than exploring. But with the rain clearing away during the morning there was ample time to wander around the sea wall towards Hurst and through the town’s streets. We even managed an early evening pontoon party under grey skies to prove that the British stiff upper lip is still a mighty force to be reckoned with when it comes to home territory weather.
On Monday (20 August) we make a cross-Channel attempt again, with Cherbourg in the sights. A ridge of high pressure is building and we’ll delay departures just long enough to let matters settle.
More news soon, along with the first of the images from this event.
Normandy cruise 2001
MBM Normandy cruise day 1: weather stops play
The ongoing march of lows across Britain may possibly have saved the English cricket team but this fit of depressions has left the 26 craft on the MBM Cruising Club fleet stumped, at least temporarily, in its bid for French waters (20 August 2001).
MBM Normandy cruise day 2 & 3: on a high and nearly on schedule
Two elements of the Motor Boats Monthly Club cruise in company to Normandy have today (Tuesday 21 August) performed something of a pincer movement to link up with an advanced scout at Dives-sur-Mer, making a fleet of 22 craft out of the original 26 due to take part (21 August 2001).
MBM Normandy cruise day 4: hopping from Dives to Deauville
The 22 cruisers of the Motor Boats Monthly fleet enjoyed a relaxing morning at Dives-Sur-Mer before hopping along the coast just a few miles eastward to neighbouring Deauville today (22 August).
MBM Normandy cruise: days 5-7 full report
In a cruise of contrasts, the participant boats of the Motor Boats Monthly Club Normandy fleet have enjoyed a short coastal hop to Le Havre, a long river run to Rouen and a day off, all in scorching temperatures (26 August 2001).
MBM Normandy cruise: days 8-11 full report
The Motor Boats Monthly Normandy Cruising Club fleet have now achieved all intended harbours on the itinerary, albeit in slightly different order, and are currently lying in the picturesque Normandy town of St Valery-en-Caux, much to the great interest of local residents (31 August 2001).
MBM Normandy cruise day 12-14: full report on the homecoming
All participant boats on the Motor Boats Monthly cruise in company to Normandy are safely home in UK ports after enjoying a two-night stay in the secret haven of St Valery-en-Caux (3 September 2001).
