Trip accross the Channel

Brambles · 25 May 2004, 21:49

We took Asheyd's Scorpion on her first cross Channel crossing last weekend. The trip from Poole to Aldeny was great with perfect sea conditions - see photos. Unfortunately the same could not be said for Saturday! We were heading for Saint Vaast but encountered some pretty nasty weather, with confused seas and for a period of about 20 minutes waves up to 4 metres coming from all directions. It's at times like that that you really do know that adrenaline is brown... We took sanctuary in Cherbourg for the rest of the day and night.

On Sunday sea was calm again and we had a fast trip to Saint Vaast for a long lunch. On the way in we were joined by a pod of 5 bottle neck dolphins which was an amazing sight. I would highly recommend Saint Vaast, but you need to check the times that the lock gates open and close.

The trip back to Poole was a real blast. Even with all the kit on board, 4 people and a full tank of fuel we were cruising at 39 to 40 knts most of the way home.

I will try and post some more phots later in the week. We hope to join up with some forum members for a trip in the near future. Are any of you following the Round the Island Race in June?

Louise · 25 May 2004, 21:52

It sounds like you had an exciting time! Would love to see some pictures.

Brambles · 25 May 2004, 21:53

Thanks for your reply. I tried to post some pics but I cant get them to attach. Must be doing something wrong!

Louise · 25 May 2004, 21:57

Have you looked at John's advice: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=256 ?

Once you've saved your picture appropriately (right size and type) you need to go to 'reply' and in the 'Additional Options' box, click on 'Manage Attachments'. You then click 'Browse' and find the file (picture) stored on your computer and attach it. HTH!

Brambles · 25 May 2004, 22:40

I thought that I did, lets try again.....

Louise · 25 May 2004, 22:45

Great pics. If you fancy cruising in company next time, give us a shout!

BTW, did you know BIBOA do a channel island cruise every year? Might see you there.

Richard B · 25 May 2004, 22:51

Nice one Brambles - looks like a great trip.

Certainly intend to follow the Round the Island Yacht race again... pics from last year are on this thread: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....t=round+island

Brambles · 25 May 2004, 23:07

Thanks for your kind comments. It will be good to meet up at some point during the Round the Island race. We shall be leaving Poole on the Friday evening and mooring at East Cowes for the night. We intend be out on the water in time for the first race (sore heads permitting) and then come back in to Cowes mid morning for breakfast, then back out again.

I will post a few more pics of the trip to France when I have them emailed accross to me from the other guys, who fortunately all took cameras. My camera battery went flat on Friday night & I didn't take the charger. Call myself a photographer??

ashleyd · 26 May 2004, 08:02

Some more pics of the same trip

Louise · 26 May 2004, 08:12

Lovely pics. Nice to see you christening her with champagne!

Hope to see you on the water sometime.

Nick Hearne · 26 May 2004, 08:56

Brambles is your boat the same one as in the Rib mag article this month looks great! I did suggest to the wife we got one last night to which she replied we are not towing that around & it will not fit on the drive!
Regards
Nick

ashleyd · 26 May 2004, 09:00

Champagne was great unfortunately as you can see in attached pic glasses did not survive trip from Braye to Cherbourge to well. we also had 2 can of stella explode in bow locker.

ashleyd · 26 May 2004, 09:03

nick boat is the one featured in Rib international.

Nick Hearne · 26 May 2004, 09:07

Sorry Ashley should have been asking you this question!
Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Brambles is your boat the same one as in the Rib mag article this month looks great! I did suggest to the wife we got one last night to which she replied we are not towing that around & it will not fit on the drive!
Regards
Nick

MarkWildey · 26 May 2004, 09:36

Just guessing but I reckon the confused water was off Barfleur. Where did you eat in St Vaast, Cafe du Port or up market in Hotel du France. By the looks of the champagne it was the latter!

Been through Barfleur a few times and it can be a slow plod.

Cheers

Mark

ashleyd · 26 May 2004, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkWildey

Just guessing but I reckon the confused water was off Barfleur. Where did you eat in St Vaast, Cafe du Port or up market in Hotel du France. By the looks of the champagne it was the latter!

Been through Barfleur a few times and it can be a slow plod.

Cheers

Mark

confused water was encountered northwest of Cape de la Hague. Speed down to 16-20kts at worst point.

Not to sure where we eat . Great little port well worth a visit

Richard B · 27 May 2004, 12:15

Great to see you out enjoying the new RIB.

simmons0 · 27 May 2004, 17:24

Did i see you just off the needles last saturday night at about 8pm?
I was in the blue solent rib.

Love the boat anyway.

Brambles · 27 May 2004, 20:44

Not us, I'm affraid. By 8pm on Saturday we were starting to construct four very large hangovers in a resturant in Cherbourg!

Thanks (on behalf of Ashled, who is the one with the big cheque book) for you comments on the boat. We have been very impressed with everything about her. She is a massive improvement over last seasons Ribtec - and that was a very good boat.

Attached are a few more photos from the trip.

pmorgan · 27 May 2004, 20:55

Wow – looks like you guys had a fab trip. Sounds like you encountered the rough weather handling we missed out on on our advanced course !