France

[Biggles]

Me and my mates are planning an ad hoc trip to France in June.

We will set off from Chichester and then stop over night in France.

can any one recomend a Port to stop at with good B & B facilities, good drinking and good refuelling.

Alos what documents do we need to keep it legal. If we can't keep it legal whats the chance of getting asked for the right documents.

At the moment I am at the early planning stage but I am looking at stopping at La Bretonne.

Does anyone have any advice.

What we need is a somewhere to put 3 small RIBS, B & B, fuel and good drinking facilities.

Regards Nick R,

[The Jackeens]

Biggles,


We'd be happy to liaise with you regarding our preparations for St. Malo (To St. Malo and beyond July 2005 ).

We are also first-timers at this crossing so if you'd like to discuss what's involved please send a pm.


Us

[Phil]

You could try Fecamp which now has dockside petrol and a number of small hotels and restaurants. If thr weather is good you can investigate the coast close in down to Le Havre which also has dockside fuel and all other facilities.

Going the other way from Fecamp you have Dieppe everything except petrol nearby.

You should take as a minimum SSR certificate ;VAT invoice for boat ,insurance certificate and a licence for VHF.If you have an ICC take it.

Whilst stops appear rare they do happen and if you are without necessary documents you will be liable to an instant fine.

[simmons0]

All they asked us for was the ownership documents, Insurance and SSR.
Good idea to have your Ship Radio licence, Short range user license and ICC too.

Cherbourg was a nice stop, all tidal, 7 euro a night berthing, Dockside petrol and diesel and loads of hotels right next to the marina.
St. Vaast was also very nice, not so sure on the details there though.

You almost certainly will be asked for your documents in Cherbourg, probably less chance if you go to a smaller port somewhere.

[Biggles]

Somehow I have this feeling that I am not going to be able to get all the documents our french cousins require.

If so can i go to the Channel Islands without all these documents ?

Its just as far and just as much of an achievement.

Regards Nick R.

[Erin]

Yep the channel islands are a little less beureaucratic than the French. All you will probably need to do is fill out a customs declaratioin form on arrival.

[Biggles]

Thanks Erin.

[Erin]

If you want any info about Alderney then let me know (or pm me). It's the closest island so might well be a good destination for a first trip.

[Louise]

Originally Posted by Erin

Alderney ... a good destination for a first trip.

I'll second that! And another local resident, Roland Neale, is always a friendly face to visiting RIBsters.

In case you missed it, here's a thread with pictures from our flying visit last year, just to whet your appetite: Alderney Jaunt .

We'll definitely be going back!

[Simon666]

How far and how long would it take to Alderney from, say Torquay or weymouth?
Is there any refueling there?