Petrolia
Member
We went on the MBM cruise to Normandy again this year. Another weather washout ! Due to work & weather an stuff we made both crossings solo. All on our own even ! A big first for us. Good confidence builder.
Cross channel from Eastbourne to Dives was VERY rough for the first 2 hours. I reckon 3m seas and very close together. We could only manage 7.5 knts into the weather and were still virtually airborn a few times !! We wouldn't have attempted it but were assured by MBM leader that it would improve. But by the time we were 10nm out of Dive we were doing 32+ knts on a duck pond.
At the end of the cruise the other boats left Fecamp for home but because we had missed the first 6 days and felt like we wanted more fun we went along to Dieppe on our own. Another first. Don't know why we worried, lovely blokes those French harbour chappies. Loads of restaurants all around the marina in Dieppe !
We arrived in Dieppe on Saturday, in time for the market. After that the weather was rubbish again but on Tuesday there was a small break so we made a run for it !
The sea looked good from the beach but by the time we were 6 miles out it got pretty angry. Luckily (or not) the sea was mainly on or slightly aft of the port beam so it wasn't too bumpy. Is it true though that if the height of the seas equal the beam of the boat you will capsize ?! We rolled quite far a few times. It didn't feel scary just a bit worrying. Unfortunately I don't think I know enough to be scared. Hang on, that is scary !
Anyway, Dieppe to Eastbourne in 3 hours dead at average slowish cruise 20knts. Felt relieved & pretty pleased with ourselves. After tying up & having a celebratory beer I started to wash down the boat & guess what ? There were little fish all over the boat. (Little shiney ones about 1-1/2@ long) We'd had some water over the boat but I didn't think it was that much !
When I get back from work in Mid August we are planning a trip to Paris. Hopefully summer will have started by then.
Cross channel from Eastbourne to Dives was VERY rough for the first 2 hours. I reckon 3m seas and very close together. We could only manage 7.5 knts into the weather and were still virtually airborn a few times !! We wouldn't have attempted it but were assured by MBM leader that it would improve. But by the time we were 10nm out of Dive we were doing 32+ knts on a duck pond.
At the end of the cruise the other boats left Fecamp for home but because we had missed the first 6 days and felt like we wanted more fun we went along to Dieppe on our own. Another first. Don't know why we worried, lovely blokes those French harbour chappies. Loads of restaurants all around the marina in Dieppe !
We arrived in Dieppe on Saturday, in time for the market. After that the weather was rubbish again but on Tuesday there was a small break so we made a run for it !
The sea looked good from the beach but by the time we were 6 miles out it got pretty angry. Luckily (or not) the sea was mainly on or slightly aft of the port beam so it wasn't too bumpy. Is it true though that if the height of the seas equal the beam of the boat you will capsize ?! We rolled quite far a few times. It didn't feel scary just a bit worrying. Unfortunately I don't think I know enough to be scared. Hang on, that is scary !
Anyway, Dieppe to Eastbourne in 3 hours dead at average slowish cruise 20knts. Felt relieved & pretty pleased with ourselves. After tying up & having a celebratory beer I started to wash down the boat & guess what ? There were little fish all over the boat. (Little shiney ones about 1-1/2@ long) We'd had some water over the boat but I didn't think it was that much !
When I get back from work in Mid August we are planning a trip to Paris. Hopefully summer will have started by then.