The fleet is now assembled in the stunning harbour of Honfleur
Happy Landings
As dawn broke over a still Portsmouth Harbour, a patchy cloudy sky loomed above. The first boats slipped at 0600 and departed the harbour escorted by support RIB Time Flies. Conditions were superb in the Solent and beyond. The fleet experienced slight seas in the Channel and the sun made the odd appearance, but overall it was a good day to be making a Channel crossing.
Five hours and 100 miles later the fleet entered the port of Honfleur, perfectly timed for free flow. The bustling town of Honfleur is real tourist hotspot and it’s hardly surprising. The stunning inner basin is an artist’s heaven, lined with bistros, aged buildings and beautiful multi-storey town houses.
All 25 boats are now rafted on the Quai Gallien, but unfortunately it’s back to basics tonight as there is no water or electric – a problem for us on Blue Fin as our temperamental generator has been playing up again. Fortunately, after some hours spent slaving in a hot lazarette, the long-standing issue seems to have finally been resolved.
Congratulations to the crew of Atlantic 42 Amethyst, who made their first Channel crossing today. The crew on board Sealine T46 Endless Summer, also had an eventful crossing. About 20 miles off Le Havre they had a flying visitor – a frantic pigeon flew into the cockpit while the boat was travelling at 20 knots. Startled and exhausted it settled in for rest of the passage. At Honfleur it was time for the stowaway to disembark, so Tim off Endless Summer gently lifted him onto the quayside.
The fleet will remain in Honfleur for two nights. Tomorrow the MBM team has arranged a fuel tanker to come along the quay and refuel all boats except the RIB Time Flies. The team will need to visit the local garage with jerry cans for the only petrol-powered vessel in the group.
Photos:
The inner basin at Honfleur (top)
The fleet on Quai Gallien, Honfleur (middle)
Neale down in the lazarette working on the generator (bottom)
