First hand experience of Cherbourg - Report

john_morris_uk

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3 Jul 2002
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Arrived last night (whatever persuaded me to crew for our daughter in her Pandora 700 Portsmouth to Cherbourg?)

Marina office were charming. The girl said, “Don’t worry about paying or having your passports stamped. The PAF come twice a day at 0900 and 1800. Just come back in the morning. Daughter retired to her boat and I retire to local hotel with Mrs M and her friend who’ve come over as foot passengers.
0900 this morning I attend Marina office with daughter and join a queue of 30 or more Brits waiting to check in or check out. PAF fail to arrive on time and after 40 minutes we decide to go and have breakfast and walk to the PAF offices. PAF office is about 15 minutes stroll from the Marina and the young officer asks for our paperwork. ‘We emailed it to you…” No problem, can you send it again? A quick root through the sent emails and forwarded the form and our passports are stamped and we’re away. He didn’t backdate the stamp so I’ve got a bonus day.
No complaints and everyone was really helpful. No idea why the PAF didn’t turn up at the Marina as we’re told they’re usually very efficient.
 

Fr J Hackett

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26 Dec 2001
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66,744
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Saou
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Arrived last night (whatever persuaded me to crew for our daughter in her Pandora 700 Portsmouth to Cherbourg?)

Marina office were charming. The girl said, “Don’t worry about paying or having your passports stamped. The PAF come twice a day at 0900 and 1800. Just come back in the morning. Daughter retired to her boat and I retire to local hotel with Mrs M and her friend who’ve come over as foot passengers.
0900 this morning I attend Marina office with daughter and join a queue of 30 or more Brits waiting to check in or check out. PAF fail to arrive on time and after 40 minutes we decide to go and have breakfast and walk to the PAF offices. PAF office is about 15 minutes stroll from the Marina and the young officer asks for our paperwork. ‘We emailed it to you…” No problem, can you send it again? A quick root through the sent emails and forwarded the form and our passports are stamped and we’re away. He didn’t backdate the stamp so I’ve got a bonus day.
No complaints and everyone was really helpful. No idea why the PAF didn’t turn up at the Marina as we’re told they’re usually very efficient.

It's a Bank Holiday weekend ( jour férié) probably the reason.
 
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