The Westerly Owners' Association - National Cruise: June 2008

Rocking around the Channel Islands

More pictures of the cruise

Cockpit discussions ranging from cutlery drawer modifications to the latest Archers’ plots heralded the beginning of the Rocking around the Channel Islands Cruise. On Sunday evening, there were 11 boats, by Monday there were 19 and a further 22 arrived on Tuesday, prior to the start of cruise briefing given by George Gaudin, our gallant leader, after a drink at the Guernsey Yacht Club. Victoria Marina was seemingly filled with Westerlys many flying rally banners as well as burgees and we significantly outnumbered the RYA and Motor Boat Monthly who were holding rallies at the same time.

The first day’s programme was for a cruise to Herm and returning to St Peter Port. Unfortunately, the threat of high winds cancelled this event. Instead, a large number went to Herm for picnics or lunch, by ferry. For others there was shopping, bus trips or cycle rides around Guernsey. We had an excellent barbecue at Guernsey Yacht Club that evening, attended by no less than 93 people.

A strong wind warning caused a change of plan on the second day as well. Instead of a sail to Sark followed by passage to Gorey some crews did a ‘Westerlys on Wheels’ and visited the small island of Lihou followed by either a picnic or a 3 hour lunch at Crabby Jacks.

On Friday,we finally left Guernsey. 29 boats motored through the Allegande Passage close to Herm and then on to an anchorage on the east coast of Sark, to wait for a fair tide for passage to St Helier. Some hardy souls went ashore in their dinghies and scaled what appeared to be a cliff face, albeit with a pub on top. One or two tried sailing to St Helier, and even caught mackerel, but most of us motored through the grey day.

Saturday and Sunday had no programmed events apart from the evening. Some boats went sailing to Gorey. On Sunday evening, we enjoyed a Vin d’honneur at the St Helier Yacht Club, courtesy of their Commodore, Chris Fairbairn.. This was followed by the Rally Dinner and all agreed that the catering and service was excellent.

On Monday there was an early start for 19 boats who were off to sail around Jersey, with stops at anchor on the way for lunch and afternoon tea. The winds were light but there was some good sailing. Some reported beating to the north, followed by a beat to the west, followed by a beat to the south!

On Tuesday, after much consultation over navigation plans, 26 boats motor sailed to the Plateau des Minquiers, in brilliant sunshine, where we anchored for a short time and a few went ashore. During the subsequent passage to the Iles Chausey, some crews spotted dolphins. For all it was a leisurely motor in warm sunshine and we were soon moored to buoys in the lovely Chausey sound.. Three boats attached themselves to a buoy which they had been assured was for visitors. After a while an irate French fisherman appeared demanding the use of his buoy. Five minutes were allowed for departure. With one of the crews absent plans were prepared for moving with two boats rafted together. (Thank you Martyn). Fortunately the errant crew returned and the departure was made in a more orderly manner.

The mooring position of dinghies whilst ashore was very important given the huge tidal range. On Wednesday evening the programme was a Vin d’honneur, arranged by one of our newest WOA members Jean-Paul Grosse, mayor of Chausey, followed by a barbecue. It was low water when we went ashore and excessively muddy. Trousers were rolled up and shoes removed as we all staggered up above the high tide line with our dinghies. The ensuing evening was good fun and an excellant ending for the rally.

During the nine days that we were together, a grandson was born, birthdays and wedding anniversaries were celebrated, old friendships were renewed and new ones forged. On behalf of all the participants I would like to thank George Gaudin and all the Jersey Westerlys, as well as our Commodore, for all the hard work put into planning and running such an enjoyable and successful rally.