Difran 2 Baltic Cruise 2014

2015 Cruise program has fragmented the early part of the year on the Beaulieu river I seemed to be struggling with cold winds but managed some changes to fittings etc:
Our first trip took us to Cherbourg to see an old mate who now lives there having retired..
A couple of days sampling the ambience and food , visit to the aquarium and Titanic hall then sailed round Barfleur to St Vaast Le Hogue an area where the brits set fire to the French fleet in reprisal for our defeat at Pevensey couple years earlier. 1700 or was it 1800's
St Vaast Le Hogue Water bus out to the Isle.

The sail back to the Solent being uneventful

We planned our next trip to complete the coastal ports suitable for a deep keel yacht from the Fresian Isles down to Tregieur.
A visit to HonFleur was next. And what a delightfull harbour this is but the tides in the Seine are strong if you are slow or get the time wrong. We spent a few days enjoying the Ambience
Hon Fleur with Difran 2 alongside, Only had to step ashore for Coffee or dinner spoilt for choice.
A short trip across the bay to Oosterieme locked in just in time as a north gale seemed to blow for the next three days. The plan here was a visit to Pegasus Bridge and 4 Commando museum


The point of interest for me was that 4 Commando were free French who landed on sword beach to liberate Oosterieme they were trained at Inveraray in Scotland with a memorial at Speen bridge.

The wind abated after three days so we set out North sea still rough in the shallow waters The sky soon darkened and we were treated to Horrendous storm, bit of a worry with the mast sticking skywards, hugh streaks of lightening in all directions followed by the wettest heavy rain I have ever experienced. Like drowned rats we entered the Needles channel and Yarmouth to dry out.

Come the 5th July we are off once more a planned Cruise in company with CA friends. Owing to Family commitments Difran 2 is the last boat leaving, when I get a call from Boudica to say she has a prop wrap so two crews now enjoy an evening on-the rocks in Yarmouth. Sailed early for Cherbourg bit of a motor/sail and we hustled round to St Peter Port to meet the other boats only to hustle out early for St Helier. Couple of days then a re-visit to St Malo for Bastille day. The pontoons have improved but the race to get into the lock is lead by the French who gallop up Front not realizing that last in gets out first so Difran sailed straight into a nice berth followed by dinner ashore. Josh and I were determined on a repeat visit to St Caast a marina we find very pleasant No Volley ball this time but a nice stop., Then its back via Jersey ,Guernsey and Alderney as stopovers a great 12 hour crossing to the needles and back to the river.

Wednesday 5th August saw difran depart for a little research. Anchor in Studland row ashore for a pint in the Bakers Arms south on a glorious days Sail to Chichester up to Itchenor. Dinghy out in the morning to have a look at Chichester at low water then up the creek to Bosham for a walk and a pint. Depart to tack down the river departing from the Red Pole to pass Roway wreak mark through the Gate and into Hazlar for overnight Cowes week controls where to go???
Saturday another nice day and a sail through the fleets to the beaulieu River.

Lift out and paint end of August prep for some winter Sailing lets hope the weather gives a little help as we have not really had any length of settled weather Typical English Summer.

Yawl f'now Ketch y' Lighter