Normandy 70

th
anniversary 2014 Cruise
Wed 28 may after a very tense time waiting for the boat to be repaired at last it was but back into
the water, NO noises and a quick stock up of vitals, wine, and beer etc. time to go 1510 Eng. on
1520 slipped on passage to Fowey Great Sail 6-7knts


1920 moored up, and ashore for a well-deserved meal and pint. Miles to date:-20

29/5/14 Left Fowey 0700 Rain but no wind motor sail all the way.



Arrived Plymouth yacht haven 1200.
Entering Plymouth

Plymouth yacht haven park you next to anyone these days!!!

Miles to date:- 44



30/5/14 The plan today is Plymouth to Torquay so after picking up another crew member fuelling up
we left around 1000
It was later on that afternoon motoring again we were not making the progress that we had hoped.
It was decided to go into Salcombe for the night and to go to Portland in one hit!!
Total miles so far:- 67

31/5/14 0500 left Salcombe
.
Again no wind, motor working fine a diesel trip!!



Going across Lyme bay sorry for any spelling errors
When you read up on the Portland race there are several distances that are shown 3miles off 5-7
miles off. But if its springs and you used the tides to help across the bay these do not work going
backwards at 10 knts is not fun, best to push the tide at first and and use the west-east tide to get
you round Portland bill. As I had never done the inshore route I Left it alone saw a pod of 12
dolphins around 1000

Portland harbour and marina



Total miles so far:-143
1/6/14 Portland to Cherbourg
0500 fuel up and leave marina
Nice sunny day light westerly wind motor sailing to make up time

Mid Channel



Maureen enjoying it very much!!
Cherbourg in sight

1715 alongside on finger pontoon



Total miles so far:-211
3/6/14 Cherbourg to Arromanches where the Mulberry D-day harbour was constructed
0630 fuelled up again, 0700 left marina
Leaving Cherbourg
Again NO WIND

Arromanches in sight Port star at anchor



Remains of the Mulberry






70 years on




The anchorage that night a swell came up and heavy rain not the best of nights.
total miles so far:-261
4/6/14 0700 up anchor and sail to Ouistreham/Caen to catch the morning lock
the lock gates



Locking in was fun






The Marina at Ouistreham Miles so far:-281

The French ladies who looked after me



6
th
June 2014 70 years on on that day my Father landed on Sword beach

Sword beach on a better day

Inside the main event I was not issued with Ticket but as my Father didnt have one ether The
Thorne charm worked well!!! After nearly being arrested and very upset a high up French policeman
asked about my father and gave me a hand written pass and from then on I was treated as a VIP



Whilst here and having a drink at the first house to be liberated guess who I bumped into






And he spoke at length with me next two old Matelots together Private

The original bridge





8/6/14 early lock out went in at 0500 gate opened 0630

Ouistreham now distance note wind speed? Next stop Cherbourg
Arrived at 1830 60 odd miles long day. Went to a French restaurant and had excellent food great
wine and oh yes I deserved it . Total miles so far:-344



The Story is not yet over yes there is more.
9/6/14 left Cherbourg for Guernsey 0730 slipped

Alderney on stb side

Guernsey St Peterport




Port star inside the marina total miles so far:-377
Another visiting CCC yachtsman




12/6/14 homeward bound
Left Guernsey 0500 via little Russell Fog came down as we entered it and oh yes nooo wind!!!
1800 tied up on the bag Salcombe total miles so far:-474
13/6/14 Yes Friday the 13
th
On leaving Salcombe just going past the bar temp gauge was climbing lot
of weed about used tide to take me out shot down tried to clear intake even tried the dingy pump
no joy and had to ask for assistance and be towed in and placed on a bouy. It took several attempts
to clear finally arriving at 1430 Plymouth yacht haven. The next day left Plymouth for Fowey and
yes we sailed!!!!! Also met up with the CCC who had several yachts, were going to join them at the
pontoon but as leaving early next day picked up a buoy.


Had a good dinner at the Royal Fowey Y.C



15/6/14 left Fowey early for the very last leg nice day again westerly and awful swell.
We tied up at Falmouth marina at 1300. Total miles for the trip:-587.4 we did a lot of motoring to
meet deadlines etc. And because of the nature of the distance involved 50 or 60 plus miles a day
made it a bit of a chore, would I do it again of course it was great to meet up with friends from the
CCC and every day to learn something new.
Port star never let me down and the engine never missed a beat Ive looked after her and she of me.