Honfleur Normandy

Don't worry - Agincourt is not on the itinerary. I am looking for about 5 people to share in the cost of a charter yacht to take part in the Normandy Rally in June.The rally starts on the Friday 24th June but this is the day before the 80th Round the Island Race, a race that I am planning to take part in. I am therefore planning to depart on Sunday 26th June in the evening and sail directly to Honfleur, said to be the prettiest town in Normandy. The distance from Port Hamble to Honfleur is about 120 miles which means the first day's passage will be around 22 hours at 5 knots or 20 hours at 6 knots. This will give you bragging rights over those who will take two short passages to reach Honfleur. HW Honfleur is at 2000 BST on Monday and so we will have to depart Port Hamble around 2000 on Sunday evening. This will leave about 2 hours of daylight to become familiar with the yacht and to clear the Solent but there is only about 6 hours of darkness at that time of the year.

Honfleur The plan is then to stay in Honfleur all day Tuesday and then there is a relatively short hop to Deauville just  13 miles away. Here you will have the chance to lose all your money in the casino. I prefer a steak frites et vin rouge (or 2).

On Friday we sail to St Vaast, a passage of about 55 miles, famous for its oysters and M. Gosselin's delicatessen where you will be able to stock up on a number of French delicacies and its Saturday market. During the passage to St Vaast I am hoping to incorporate a lunch stop at Arromanches inside the Mulberry harbour on Gold beach but this will depend on wind direction and strength. Saturday evening we will have to leave as soon as the lock opens at about 2000 to arrive back at Port Hamble in the early afternoon on Sunday.

I would like two people who have enough experience to act as watch leaders but I am willing to take anyone who knows which rope to pull. Any one who has just completed one of the club's training courses is more than welcome and you will have the chance to add about 300 miles, several night hours and practice navigation, steering a course and light recognition.

I would estimate that the cost of the charter would be in the order of £250 to £300 per person if I can find 5 people to share. Added to this would be a share of moorings (about £25 - £30 per night) and food and drink. If You are interested please contact me here.

Graham Broadway