28/6 RHYC CIC on route for France. Cracking sail to Ramsgate apart from the last hour or so when the tide turned. Dinner in the Royal Brasserie and catching up with a couple of racing RHYC yachts from the EAORA cannonball race.

29/6 Interesting passage to Boulogne – thick fog as we crossed the traffic lanes but a fast trip with the tide. Out of the murk appeared the vendee globe yachts about to start the Course de Cap race – round Britain and Ireland.

30/6 Glorious weather in Boulogne and the required train trip to Calais to stamp in passports.

1/7 In Boulogne Lady McG changed plans and headed north. The rest of the fleet headed south to Dieppe – a trip of 55NM against a s/sw blight breeze so a motor sail. Berths easily found. We stayed 2 nights with a visit to the maritime museum and dodging the showers before heading to an excellent fish restaurant, Comptoir a Huitre in the evening.

3/7 Shantyman had to return to the UK, going direct from Dieppe, while the rest of the fleet headed for Fecamp having a very good sail down the coast. Communal potluck supper, which is an excellent way to socialise on the pontoon.

4/7 Visit to the Palais Benedictine for a tour and Benedictine tasting. In CIC tradition we had a cocktails competition and baked potato evening which was very jolly.

5/7 Safir take her leave as they were only able to be away for 2 weeks and wanted to head north before the expected “tempete” arrived. The fleet of 6 boats headed for Le Havre – a shortish trip of 25 NM to see the gathering of the Tall Ships race starting on Monday.

6/7 Sightseeing in Le Havre and the remarkable cathedral near the marina. Excellent dinner at the Le Havre Yacht Club.

7/7 Departed Le Havre early to get out before the port was closed for the departure of the Tall Ships. Hopes of watching the spectacle of the Tall Ships from offshore were dashed by the gloomy, wet and windy weather so headed straight to Honfleur but the sun came out as we arrived and moored on the Garen pontoon. Another potluck supper on Lazy Days and a jolly evening had by all. The next day we all did a variety of things having a look round the historic town and visiting the interesting museums learning about the origins and development of the town. An excellent supper at L’Assiette Normande.

9/7 Bikes were hired and cycled off on an interesting tour into the countryside but struggled to find any refreshments on route – so a late lunch back in Honfleur.

10/7 Headed north back to Fecamp The trip was enlivened by a spectacular dolphin performance who swam on the bow wave of Reflection before leaping out of the water in a spectacular fashion. Bbq on the pontoon.

11/7 a short hop to St Valery en Caux where good timing of arrival is quite important because of the Tides and a drying entrance. 2 nights in St Valery – dinner at Les Flots and a wine tasting quiz on Reflection for entertainment.

13/7 headed for Dieppe where because of the impending bad weather the marina was extremely full and we were lucky to all get berths. 

14/7 Bastille day and a decision to wait in Dieppe until the weather improved a bit. Bluefin headed off early in order to get north before the bad weather, as they had a commitment in the UK at the end of the week.

15/7 Train trip to Rouen to visit the impressive cathedral and have an enjoyable stroll round the historic town.

16/7 Reflection left for Boulogne, but the last 4 boats took the opportunity to visit Dieppe castle and wait for the weather and seas to abate a little. Opportunity was taken to host 3 yachts from the Royal Maas for drinks as they were about to start their summer cruise in France.

17/7 Heading for Boulogne the weather had dropped right off so a comfortable motor sail up the coast to Boulogne. The marina was overflowing but again we managed to find 4 spaces. Negotiations with others in the raft resulted in a very early start being agreed for 04.45.

18/7 Setting off in the darkened gloom with visibility not much more than 100 metres we headed for the Channel and crossing the shipping lanes. Traffic was busy but managed to safely get across without incident. Apparently we went through a convoy of channel swimmers but never saw them! The commercial traffic we communicated with were all very helpful. Out of the fog north of Dover and into Ramsgate by 09.20. Opportunity taken to have a gentle day before adjourning to the Royal Temple Yacht club for a drink and supper in an excellent Italian restaurant La Magnolia. 

19/7 The home run and rewarded with a cracking sail up the Black Deep and across the bay into Harwich and home.