No Pressure - London Corinthians cruise to Normandy
Published 17:11 on 1 Oct 2026
This was billed as "no booze cruise" and true to form mid Channel at 3am down to Reef 2 at with 6 foot waves in pitch darkness in the shipping channel, we were all reminded of what we had signed up to!
The mission: sail across the Channel to St Vaast, check out the Normandy D-day landing sites, and visit Ouistreham and the famous Pegasus Bridge on the Caen Canal, captured by the glider borne troops of 6th Airborne Division in the early hours of 6 June 1944.
D-day was postponed due to the weather, just had it been for the real thing, but a weather window was spotted by the skippers. So Day 1 was spent victualling and hopping across from Hamble to Cowes to the forward operating base of the Anchor Pub
Lines were slipped at 4am and off we all set. 3 boats all in all C'est Si Bon, skippered by the indomitable Derrick, Protege, skippered by Matt and Tres Jolie skippered by Paolo.
Like the Odyssey, the flotilla was soon scattered - headed to Le Havre in the face of a strong southerly and the spring tide. C'est Si Bon and Protege battled on and made it to La Vaast at 1.30am in the face of a fast approaching force 6 7.
The drama was not over, as Protege ended up with a spot of difficulty with a wrapped propeller, and had to anchor outside the harbour entrance until the morning. Under the sang froid of Skipper Matt they set their anchor fine, but with shallows and rocks not too far off on a lee shore, they experienced a fairly disrupted night on anchor watch.
La Vaast-La-Hougue is a great marina, but tricky pilotage to get to particularly with the significant tidal range in the Cotentin aera (including unlit cardinal marks whoever knew ?!) and behind lock gates.
It was an excellent place to spend a day rest and recuperating plenty of oysters freshly harvested from the huge oyster beds. There are some excellent walks to the Vauban forts.
Better still, a diver was found and transported back out on C'est Si Bon to sort out Protégé's propeller. All was sorted fortunately, and the two crews had an excellent day sampling oysters and a great evening meal together in the marina restaurant.
Day 3 Tuesday
Day 3 (Tuesday_ and lines were slipped and off set the now 2 boat main force to the D-day beaches, to link up with Paolo and the crew of Tres Jolie at Ouistreham. They had spent the day enjoying a very civilised trip to the medieval town of Honfleur.
The boats sailed past Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. It was sobering to see the terrain from the sea the same view as the wet and sea-sick Allied troops would have seen it. We went past the famous Dog Green sector of Omaha beach where the US troops incurred severe casualties (as depicted in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan).
A highlight was entering the Arromanches mulberry harbour an incredible feat of engineering and up close you can really see how massive the sections were.
A safe arrival in Ouistreham where all 3 boats were now reunited although the two late arrivals were berthed outside the marina in front of the lock. A great evening was spent with all 3 crews reunited on board the flagship C'est Si Bon.
Day 4 Wednesday
"Rest and recuperation" day. This day was spent visiting Pegasus Bridge and the Allied cemetery at Ranville. A long walk along the Caen canal allowed legs to be stretched after a few heavy days' of sailing.
All 3 crews enjoyed a great evening in La Voile, overlooking the beach.
A cracking day's rest and recuperation and battlefield tour great suggestion by skipper Derrick and even better suggestion walking there and not trying to sail! (an idea that was mooted at one point).
Day 5 and 6 Thursday and Friday and back home to Hamble
A morning spent exploring Ouistreham and Sword Beach where the UK's 3rd Infantry Division came ashore, and where the 180 Free French Commandos under Keiffer took the town on 6th June 1944.
Then all aboard and the 3 boat flotilla set off, with Paolo in the lead, Matt and Derrick in hot pursuit.
A "punchy" night passage (let's just put it like that!) and all boats arrived safe and sound at Hamble in the early hours on Friday.
All in all, a great week's sailing, in challenging conditions at times but all worth it given the fascinating history to experience on arrival and excellent London Corinthian team spirit!
Many thanks to Cassie for organising, Derrick for his excellent planning and the skippers of all the 3 boats for an excellent week!
Last updated 17:24 on 1 October 2026