Sailors can now check in to Schengen zone in 53 French marinas rather than having to use official Ports of Entry
Sailors planning to cross the Channel to France this summer should have a much easier time checking in and out
thanks to changes introduced on 1 June 2024
Yachts arriving in France from outside the EU’s Schengen zone can now clear customs in one of 53 marinas
but have been given authority to check boats in and out of the zone by French customs authority
The French authorities have all signed a national protocol of cooperation facilitating
the arrival of sailors arriving from abroad
The Schengen border control’ states that frontiers can be passed through at specific passage points (PPF – points de passage frontaliers) at fixed opening times only
nor indeed were French sailors visiting the UK
This situation meant there was a huge drop in visitors to our ports and our shoreline
This present protocol has in a robust and pragmatic manner eased the entry and departure of sailors within the Schengen countries
It shows a strong commitment by the harbour authorities and the FFPP who have worked to ensure this protocol will last.’
The three authorities established a more robust platform in order to ease communication and information flow (including follow up)
granting 53 marinas – non-PPF ports – permission to welcome boats coming from abroad
The yachts must follow the following procedures
– the persons present on board the boat must (1) inform the Harbour authority before arrival and (2) be authorised to arrive at said port
– the persons must hand in the specific form
giving details of the persons on board as well as the technical characteristics of the boat
This information must be given to the Harbour authority 24 hours before arrival when the trip is less than 24 hours long
and at the latest when the boat departs from a port which is outside of Schengen countries
The port authority will immediately transmit such information to the designated PPF port
the marinas concerned will undertake to send all such information concerning the persons aboard wishing to enter French territory to the border authorities
Carrying out such checks on people at borders – itself a fundamental mission – falls within the exclusive domain of the specifically designated border guard
This protocol does not concern French overseas territories who are not concerned by the Schengen agreement
Vessels of any nationality sailing from and to the UK still need to inform UK Border Force and HMRC that they are leaving or arriving in the country in a pleasure craft using either the online Pleasure Craft Report form or the by email using an Excel sPCR template form
At the time of publication (1330 Monday 3 June 2024
the online PCR form was not working and sailors are required to download
complete and return an eC1331 form in its place)
Vessels returning to the UK can submit a report using the same form
or can call National Yachtline on 0300 123 2012
Sailors should also call this number at the earliest opportunity if their plans have changed for any reason
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Hope Brotherton
Sitting in the English Channel just off the western coast of France
Tatihou island is largely unknown to most Brits
A stone's throw from the Normandy village of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue on the French mainland
Tatihou stays comparatively warm even when the weather starts to turn in autumn thanks to the Gulf Stream
The island is an uninhabited nature reserve that's home to over 150 species of birds
The Gulf Stream creates a unique micro-climate that allows unusually exotic plants to thrive
the island is open to the public from April 1 until November 13
with visitors able to explore its shores and garden from 10am until 6pm
While holidaymakers can visit the island on foot at low tide
a journey using an amphibious vehicle (a sort of boat/bus hybrid) is more fun
visitors can learn more about a huge variety of plant species that thrive on the island all while strolling through the gardens
Entry tickets to the gardens cost €14 (£11.79) for a full-paying adult and €6.50 (£5.48) for a child
Holidaymakers who want to learn more about the island's history should head to the Tatihou Maritime Museum.
each telling visitors more about the lives of the miners that used to live on the island
Visitors will also discover more about the construction of ships and the strategic role the island played in naval battles
The island is also home to Vauban Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits right at the end of the island
entry costs €14 (£11.79) for a full-paying adult and €6.50 (£5.48)for a child
Maisons de Tatihou Hostel is the only accommodation option on the French island
with enough space to accommodate 46 people
with rates starting from €32 (£26.96) per person per night
serves a range of fresh cuisine from local producers
Any holidaymakers who take a packed lunch will need to bring a rubbish bag to take their litter home because there aren't any bins on the island
The island is also famed for its dazzling sunsets
with the best views actually from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue on the French mainland
From Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue holidaymakers will be able to watch the sun slowly set behind Vauban Tower
While the Gulf Stream creates a microclimate that helps to keep temperatures warm throughout the year, with highs of 20C in October, summer still remains the best time to visit
This is because the Traversées Tatihou festival music festival takes place on the island every August
According to Discover Ferries
one of the easiest ways to reach both Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou Island is via Cherbourg
Direct ferry services operate from Portsmouth and Poole to Cherbourg, France
it's a 40-minute drive to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
where Brits will be able to join connecting services to Tatihou Island
We've rounded up three little-known destinations that Brit holidaymakers can explore
KalymnosA lesser-known Greek island near Kos has some of the cheapest package holidays in Europe
the tiny island is home to secluded beaches and crystal-clear waters
Even though the island remains relatively untouched by hordes of holidaymakers
there are plenty of things to do on the island
Formentera is the smallest island in the Balearics but by no means the least impressive
Despite sitting just five miles south of holiday hotspot Ibiza
Away from the parties and the huge nightclubs, Formentera is instead a place to relax and soak up the sun by the sea, with beaches so stunning, the island has been nicknamed "little Caribbean"
In fact, the comparison is so similar that chocolate company Mars has even used the island to double up as the Caribbean for its Bounty bar adverts
in which they promised a "taste of paradise"
Ponza is part of the Pontine archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea
and it is home to beaches that rival Capri — but for a fraction of the price
Ponza is a more rustic and smaller-scale version of other famous Italian islands - which is also great if you don't like massively touristy places
It's known for its untouched natural landscape
Compared to other islands like Capri and Ischia, Ponza offers excellent value for money with lower accommodation
Meanwhile, these are six secret holiday spots in Europe
And this French holiday spot has been described as "unfairly overlooked".
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
The Cruising Association says the welcome changes "will make cruising to and from France this summer much easier and more attractive for all."
Arcachon is among the locations that can handle boats arriving from or departing to outside of the EU/Schengen area
French officials have announced a new ‘protocol’ for small boats to enter France from outside of the European Union (EU)
Normally boats would have to arrive at and depart from a Port of Entry (PPF)
although last year there were a few ports with a special derogation which allowed entry for a limited period
The new ‘protocol’, which came into force on 1 June, grants some 53 marinas (which are not PPFs) the rights to handle boats arriving from or departing to outside of the EU/Schengen area
Below is the list of PPFs and other marinas or ports for Channel France
Skippers of these boats will need to email a specific completed form to the relevant port in advance of arrival or departure
These forms will then be processed by local officials, and the Cruising Association (CA) anticipate the stamped papers may be picked up on arrival or emailed in the case of departure (as last year for those few ports)
“Further details for the Channel area but also applicable more widely, can be viewed by members on the France – Channel – Entry Procedures and Ports of Entry
“This announcement will make cruising to and from France this summer much easier and more attractive for all
The CA and cruising community is grateful to the French authorities as well as the ports and marina officials for their work to enable this outcome.”
The Cruising Association shares its advice on what you need to know for a stress-free…
What could go wrong while crossing the Channel
Ken Endean considers possible difficulties
Boat owners whose yachts are not registered in the European Union
are able to stay in Greece for longer than…
Chart showing the French Channel Ports of Entry (PPFs)
This updated list details all the ports which are included in the new protocol (as at 2 July 2024)
Look at the other options when making your plan
The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve
World Heritage partnerships for conservation
Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world
where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development
Our Partners Donate
Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information
The objective of the Guidance is to provide easy-to-understand and user-friendly information on wind energy projects and World Heritage protection and management
and to highlight processes and tools for overcoming potential challenges that may arise
The Guidance aims to assist in the planning of wind energy projects while providing insights to explore options for proactive conservation for World Heritage site managers and and heritage protection authorities.The core of the Guidance includes four main parts
About the Guidance
This part of the guidance is designed to introduce basic World Heritage concepts to a non-specialist audience
The implementation of the World Heritage Convention on the national level can be challenging for States Parties
The following text explains the basics of the Convention to better understand its spirit and underlying principles
It further outlines good practices that assist complying with recommended international conservation standards to fully deploy the effectiveness of the Convention and to achieve its ultimate goals
The described indications aim to help readers understand the purpose of requirements described in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
and to act accordingly constructively and proactively
Word Heritage Essentials
This part of the Guidance offers an overview of wind energy related information primarily for heritage practitioners and decision-makers not familiar with this field
A brief overview of the main technical features and processes behind wind energy planning will allow a more effective understanding of their potential impacts on World Heritage and catalyse more efficient dialogue between stakeholders to seek solutions
this section approaches this field with a focus on World Heritage matters
highlighting sensitive conservation issues
Wind Energy Essentials
National strategies and policies for the transition to renewable energy and initiatives for decarbonization are often based on the strategic principles and guidelines set in international agreements and directives
which have direct influence on national planning
the implementation of international agreements or directives
relating to renewable energy is often not cross-checked and aligned with national policies and regulations protecting natural and cultural heritage
It is similarly important that national policies
as well as the accompanying national legal frameworks
give due consideration to heritage protection and ensure full protection of World Heritage properties
In addition to the establishment of an appropriate legal framework
a proactive approach to site management could effectively supplement national legal tools and support and strengthen protection measures ensuring the preservation of World Heritage properties for future generations
Protecting World Heritage during the Energy Transition
This part of the Guidance provides heritage and impact assessment practitioners
site managers and heritage institutions an overview of the process for assessing the impacts of wind energy projects associated with World Heritage properties
The information is intended to assist actors responsible for commissioning and preparation such impact assessments and to support decision-makers
Impacts of wind energy projects and their assessment
The Multiannual Energy programme provides for the development of new offshore wind projects in France
including a 1-gigawatt (GW) project along the coast of Normandy
This project was the subject of a public debate
at the end of which the area chosen for its implementation is located off the Cotentin (Manche department)
more than 32 km from the coast and at least 40 km from the Vauban observatory towers of Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue
The perimeter of the project will be refined during the procedure
will consist of a maximum of 83 wind turbines with a height of approximately 260 m at the tip of the blade
The competitive bidding process was launched in December 2020 to designate the future developer of the project
In accordance with the regulatory framework introduced by the ‘Law for a State at the service of a trustworthy society’ of 10 August 2018
the Ministry of Ecological Transition referred the matter in advance to the National Commission for Public Debate
in particular about the choice of location for the project
the issues relating to the Vauban fortifications of Saint Vaast-la-Hougue and the possible interactions between the inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List of this part of the serial property and the wind farm project were raised
World Heritage property:Fortifications of Vauban
Brief description:Fortifications of Vauban consists of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western
They are the best examples of the work of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (163-1707)
urban enclosures with bastions and bastioned towers
a mountain battery and two mountain communication structures
These sites are inscribed as witnesses to the apogee of classical bastioned fortification
Vauban played a major role in the history of fortifications by influencing military architecture in Europe
but also on other continents until the mid-nineteenth century
Among the 12 sites which make up the serial property
considered to be the most representative of Vauban's work of exceptional architectural
the site of Saint Vaast-La-Hougue includes the two tower-observatories of Tatihou Island and La Hougue
See further details at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1283
The Government has launched a study on the issues relating to the preservation of the observatory towers of Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue
This is not strictly speaking an impact study of the project
which will be carried out at a later date by the developer
but an upstream study which aims to analyse the possibility of installing an offshore wind farm in the Manche department
without damaging the OUV of the observatory towers of La Hougue and Tatihou
which form part of the Vauban Fortifications World Heritage property
The first part of the study recalls the characteristics of this part of the property that contribute to the OUV of the Vauban site
notably in the formation of the landscape in which the towers are included in
Following a further assessment with relation to the criteria of inscription
it identifies the most remarkable viewpoints towards these two buildings from a heritage perspective and thus illustrates the different levels of sensitivity in the environment regarding its heritage dimensions
Photomontages are then established concerning the most significant viewpoints and panoramas
These visual simulations evaluate the interaction of the installation of the offshore wind farm with the perception of the observatory towers
based on fictitious siting choices of wind turbines
with the aim to minimize the possible impact of the wind farm on the towers
The study resulted in a landscape sensitivity map of the maritime area around the towers (see illustration below)
The second part of the study makes recommendations on how to locate a wind farm in the area to limit or control the visual effects
The analysis of the landscape sensitivities allows us to study six potential areas for the implementation of the project
The presented simulations ensure the avoidance
reduction and compensation measures with regard to the heritage values
particularly from a landscape and heritage context
the French Government decided to select for the project an area located more than 32 km from the coast to limit the visual impact of the wind farm from the coast
the selected area is located more than 40 km from the towers of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in order to avoid the area of high landscape sensitivity of the towers
in line with the recommendations of the landscape study
The area selected for the call for tenders is 500 km2
whereas the park should only occupy approximately 100 to 150 km2
so the pre-calculated distances may even be bigger
depending on the exact location chosen within the call for tenders
the Government will ensure that the wind farm developer considers the landscape aspects in the planning and design of the wind farm project
Concerning the observatory towers of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
the developer will have to rely on the recommendations of the study commissioned by the Government
and particular attention will need to be paid to the viewpoint of La Pernelle
This is the first project in France for which a special study has been developed that consider the potential impacts of an offshore wind project on a World Heritage property
The lessons learned (particularly in terms of process and analysis methodology) will be used in France for future cases of similar projects
The positive outcomes from this experience included two particular challenges:
both in the upstream opportunity study and the design study
and compensation measures through plausible scenarios with regard to preserving a World Heritage property
in 2006, a fire destroyed the architecture of the saint-vaast church in wallers, france. in honor of its reconstruction, a competition was launched to bring new life back to the space through art. the selected piece, a light sculpture, has been imagined by florian brillet and david letellier
video courtesy of florian brillet and david letellier
the form is based on a tetrahedron crystal
representing the regular microscopic construction of certain materials in their natural state
the sculpture evokes the inherent spirituality of the place of worship by the representation of the geometric order
the structural design is a contemporary three-dimensional interpretation of techniques used in traditional sacred architecture, where the supporting framework is detailed both functionally and aesthetically
to be sublimated until becoming expressive and meaningful
consisting of a polygonal filigree fitted with translucent white alabaster panels
LED projectors emit a soft palette of colors ranging from pure white to light yellow. these hues are then filtered through the alabaster plates with the depth of the reflective enclosure acting as a diffuser that reveals the veins of the material and different shades of the stone. in this way
envelope and structure are united in a complex
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression.
Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Bernadette Baum
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French Navy EOD specialists flew out to meet a trawler that had snagged an unwanted catch - a WWII-era naval mine
the Regional Operational Center for Surveillance and Rescue (CROSS) Jobourg received word that the fishing boat Stenaca II had accidentally caught a 1940s-era explosive device and hauled it on board
The Stenaca II was located about six nautical miles east of Saint-Vaast
CROSS Jobourg informed the French Navy's maritime prefecture for the English Channel
which inmediately called for a team of mine-clearing divers.
Premar Manche activated the Caïman helicopter stationed at Maupertus with three GPD Manche explosives experts on board
given the bad weather and the difficulty of keeping the ammunition on board
the mine-clearing divers decide to throw it back into the sea and address it later
The munition was the remains of a German Navy BM 1000 mine - an air-dropped parachute mine with a 1,500 pound explosive charge.
The maritime operations center in Cherbourg issued an urgent broadcast to warn mariners and fishermen in the area.
Premar Manche thanked the fishing boat's crew for handling the mine properly and contacting the authorities
The agrency advises all mariners that aged objects recovered at sea or on the beach in the area - which is
the scene of the D-Day landings - could potentially be explosive devices
it is important to report them and not leave them for someone else to find.
"Releasing historic gear into the water without consulting the maritime authorities represents a significant risk-taking
but also for the sailors who may in turn trawl the same gear," Premar Manche cautioned.
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killed in three-vehicle crash on A26 that left five others in a critical condition
A British woman has died along with two other people in a three-car collision on a motorway in northern France
More than 65 firefighters and nine ambulances attended the crash on Sunday evening
which involved eight children and involved a British nine-seater family vehicle and two other cars on the A26 near Neuville-Saint-Vaast and Thélus
Three people were killed and five are in a critical condition
a mother of 10 and a member of the Orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill
has been named in media reports as among those who have died
and two of her daughters are understood to be among those injured
On social media, her son, Izzy Posen paid tribute to his mother: “My mother sadly passed away yesterday in tragic circumstances. She was young and healthy and full of the spirit of life. I loved her so much,” he wrote on Twitter
The incident took place near roadworks and involved 17 people in total
was reportedly travelling with six members of her family when the crash happened
Reports suggest a 75-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man
were among those taken to hospital in a critical condition
The third vehicle was carrying four passengers
Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following a road traffic accident in France and have offered our assistance to the family.”
Two of the people critically injured were transported by helicopter to hospitals in Lille and Arras
A spokesperson for French prosecutors in Arras told the PA news agency that it was looking into the incident
and that those involved would be interviewed when their health improved
thanked emergency services for their “responsiveness and professionalism in the management of this event and the assistance provided to the victims”
Those who attended the scene have been offered psychological support
The global oyster market reached 7.3 Million Tons in 2023
the top companies in the global oyster market are focusing on various innovations
such as the launch of new techniques to grow and harvest oysters more efficiently and sustainably
numerous key players are adopting innovative solutions for the domestication and in-house cultivation of oysters in artificial marine-like environments to cater to the rising consumer demands
which in turn is contributing to the market growth
the introduction of oyster traceability program allows consumers to track and see information about the oyster's origin and harvest date
key players are increasingly using sophisticated equipment to monitor and control water quality
and other factors that affect oyster growth and health
which is providing an impetus to the market growth
several advancements in the supply chain systems of fresh
and frozen oysters are augmenting the market growth
the introduction of new packaging and shipping methods
such as the use of insulated boxes and gel packs to keep oysters cool during transit
which assists in easier transportation over long distances while maintaining their freshness
is providing a considerable boost to the market growth
have been conducting genetic research on oysters to identify strains that are more resistant to disease and have better growth rates
enhanced research and development (R&D) activities
expanding bivalve aquaculture sector and increasing penetration of inter-continental food trends along with the growing inclination towards gourmet seafood cuisines are presenting remunerative growth opportunities for the market
IMARC Group expects the market value to reach 8.7 Million Tons by 2032
exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2% during 2024-2032
Learn about opportunities, challenges, and trends in the global Oyster market with IMARC’s market research report. Try a free sample today
The global oyster market has several major players including Chatham Shellfish Company
Pangea Shellfish & Seafood Company Inc.
Westcott Bay Shellfish Company and White Stone Oyster Company
More information about these companies has been provided below
Get an inside look at the global oyster market with exclusive insights
Senior Content Writer at IMARC Services Private Limited
Aditi is a content writer and editor at IMARC Services Private Limited with over two years of experience in market research
covering diverse sectors from information technology to healthcare
She actively works on numerous predictive and exploratory research projects and has hands-on experience analyzing and writing about macro and micro markets
© Copyright IMARC Services Private Limited 2025
Paul Dale has made over 50 crossings to France
but his latest experience left him frustrated and disheartened
After Covid and a couple of UK summer cruises the preceding years
my wife and I decided to head across the English Channel in our Jeanneau 30 this year
We came to the conclusion that we don’t really feel on holiday on a boat until we are in France
Part of the decision was the overcrowding of the South Coast marinas and anchorages in the staycation period 2020-2021, with getting a visitor marina berth from Chichester to Dartmouth becoming almost impossible
On the buoy at Hayling Island waiting to leave to sail to France
A scan of the new regulatory requirements – the e-C1331 process to notify the authorities you were leaving or arriving in the UK
and the corresponding PAF (Police aux Frontiers) paperwork for the other side – was a bit depressing
Advice on how to sail in the EU seemed to be ever changing
A number of our sailing friends urged us to sail to France, to be guinea pigs
Below is what actually happened over a very limited 10-day French cruise to Cherbourg
The first important thing to know is that you need to download the Excel app onto your smartphone so you can retrieve
amend and send the e-C1331 form [NOTE: The UK Government has recently launched the single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR) online platform to replace the e-C1331 and C1331 form
and while you can create it and email it to the three designated recipients – Border Force
and National Yachtline/HMRC – easily on your laptop at home
especially French marina Wi-Fi for emailing the e-C1331 for your return to the UK
The C1331 can be printed off and filled in before being sent to Border Force
on the return to the UK you need to email your returning e-C1331 as soon as you pick up a decent 3G signal; in our case 12 miles south of the isle of Wight
You will need to install the Adobe app on your phone if you want to email the PAF paperwork from your smartphone; we did this but never got a response from PAF
we cast off from our buoy at Hayling Island
and pointed Alexia‘s bow towards France
The e-C1331 had been emailed off correctly
as had the PAF document to the marina office in Cherbourg
A brand-new Q flag was in the chart table drawer
here is what you need to know to avoid immigration and customs headaches for…
For home-waters sailors who are considering a holiday cruise to France
Ken Endean looks at the options for making a…
Sailing the English Channel for the first time can be a daunting prospect
especially if your sailing experience so far…
As Europe begins to open up again for cruising
Lu Heikell looks at the implications of Brexit on UK sailors…
Twelve hours later we entered Port Chantereyne Marina
To the east there are Le Havre and Ouistreham as other options. Neither is a long day sail from the Solent
which is not an option as it is a high tide entry marina which you need to approach on a falling tide
imagine our surprise to be told at the Cherbourg Capitainerie that the marina was not accepting visiting yachts until the 17 July due to the Route de Dhreme regatta
This was awkward as many UK cruising yachts sail to Cherbourg from the Solent and central South Coast; all the UK crews needed to have their passports stamped
We managed to sneak into an empty resident’s berth
and phoned PAF expecting officers to visit us to clear us in
we were told to go to the Capitainerie the next morning as PAF officials come every day at 0900 and 1800 to stamp British sailors in and out of the EU
along with the crews of three other UK boats
After half an hour we were told to come back at 1100
we were told that PAF officials wouldn’t be coming that day
The marina staff just commented that the PAF officials were ‘not reliable’
As one disgruntled British sailor said: ‘It took us 14 hours to get here from Weymouth and we only came to Cherbourg to get the passports stamped; they wouldn’t let us in
and now we are stuck outside the marina in a truly awful anchorage in 35°C
and we are having to come in by dinghy to report to the police who never turn up
I bloody wish we’d never set off.’
We were left with no option but to walk for 30 minutes to the PAF office where all the officials wanted to see was a hard copy of the PAF entry document (it is a good idea to print some off before you leave the UK)
International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC)
Sailing to France after Brexit: Visiting the dreaded PAF office in Cherbourg
the British sailors in Cherbourg were angry about all the hassles
We enquired at the Capitainerie about checking out (or in) there
We were told that PAF officials were supposed to come to their office to do this
but ‘they are so unreliable that people don’t bother.’
One crew of a UK boat told us they planned to email the exit PAF document and that would be proof they had left the EU; they couldn’t be bothered with the faff of finding someone to stamp their passports
Another British crew announced that the trick was to ask to be stamped out when you got stamped in – and then carry on cruising in France
we met several French sailors who all commented on the lack of UK visitors in the Normandy harbours
We didn’t really want to do the day sail back to Cherbourg and then spend another day there to go to the PAF office; the tides were also not working in our favour
we bought tickets for the bus from St Vaast to Cherbourg
But waiting at the bus stop a local told us that the bus service was suspended
The PAF offices are closed Sundays, and this was a Saturday, with a weather window for a 0400 departure on Monday
we invested €145 in a return taxi to the Cherbourg PAF offices
The evening before departure we emailed the Returning to the UK e-C1131 to the three recipients – Border Force
Border Force emailed back saying we weren’t required to present ourselves
But National Yachtline informed us we would have to re-submit the form by email as we entered UK waters
They warned us that the alternative of phoning the Yachtline number on arrival
We resent it when we were 12 miles south of Dunnose Point
we were just about to phone Yachtline when an email came back; we were cleared in
It left us wondering how long a call to Yachtline would take, let alone the pressure it would put on a crew if weather was testing or the vessel was being sailed shorthanded; it would be tough for a less confident crew
The British bureaucracy for clearing in and out is clunky and torturous
and an app would make the whole process a lot easier
the EU requirement to actually stamp passports in and out adds a real layer of stress
especially since they don’t seem resourced or motivated to do this
We can’t blame the French – our country voted for Brexit – but neither the UK nor the French/EU bureaucrats have taken into account the realities of crossing the Channel in small boats
and the dependency on tide and weather windows
I am surprised that sailing organisations have not more vigorously lobbied the UK and French authorities to develop a more practicable and friendly way of enabling cruising sailors to cross the Channel
If the bureaucracy described above remains
a two week (or longer) French cruise will be fine
as long as you are highly organised and motivated
But the halcyon days of sailing to France for a few days when the weather looks good are over
That was the conclusion of our sailing friends to whom we reported back – and also the few UK crews we met over there: it was all too much hassle
I have been cruising and racing to France for over 30 years with about 50 return channel crossings under my belt
But I imagine the new layers of stress and hassle will be very off-putting to those who are new to cruising, and are contemplating sailing the English Channel for the first time
The Home Office has confirmed there are no plans for an app for reporting in and out of the UK
Both the RYA and the Cruising Association advise UK sailors crossing the channel to arrive at an official Port of Entry
Boulogne has recently announced there are no PAF officials locally to process arrivals and departures; those arriving here need to travel by train to Calais for processing
From 1 June to 30 September 2022 a temporary concession has been introduced for British and Channel Island nationals visiting Saint Cast and Saint Quay
which will require a modified Declaration of Arrival/Departure form
Full details can be found in our article: Sailing to France: What you need to know.
Anyone cruising to and from the UK needs to inform Border Force and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
The newly launched single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR) online platform – www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – is now the preferred option for reporting journeys for anyone leaving or entering the UK
This includes cruisers sailing from or to the Channel Islands and Ireland
as well as those sailing to or from other EU countries and the rest of the world
The new platform is currently in ‘beta’ mode but will eventually replace the C1331 postal form and e-C1331 online forms
The eC1331 is only available as an Excel document
It has also been renamed: now renamedL ‘Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages: leaving or arriving in the UK (pleasure craft report (sPCR) fallback template
you still need to be able to access an Excel spreadsheet to fill out the single Pleasure Craft Reporting form
You also need to send it as you enter UK waters
ASO reveals conditions for Sunday's Hell of the North
inspecting each of the 29 cobbled sectors included in this year's 256.3km route and rating them using the traditional five-star system
with five stars awarded to the most difficult
The race hits the first of the 29 sectors after 93.5km at the usual spot in Troisvilles
the 2.2km stretch and the two subsequent roads in Briastre and Saint-Python all receiving three-star ratings
the 3.7km road between Quiévy and Saint Python
is the first four-star of the race beginning after 111.5km raced
before the route resumes its familiar route
The Trouée d'Arenberg (Arenberg Forest) is the first five-star section
it will be somewhat less selective than in the wet
There is still plenty of opportunity for mishaps with the dusty
slippery stones making up 54.5km of the route
The other critical points are the Mons-en-Pévèle (km 208.5) and Carrefour de l'Arbre (km 240) sectors
Van Avermaet whittled the group down to just Sebastian Langeveld and Zdenek Stybar on the Carrefour de l'Arbre
but a determined Jasper Stuyven and Gianni Moscon bridged up to the leaders on the velodrome in Roubaix
The race was won handily by Van Avermaet over Stybar
with Langeveld hanging on for third ahead of Moscon
When crossing the battlefield at the start of the level
dig down through the dirt after the fourth skull and crossbones sign
Avoid the pipe emissions to dig to the lower level
then dig left through the dirt to find this hidden item
After using your dog to distract the soldier so you can dig down further
dig to the bottom left corner to find this hidden item
Once you've knocked out the soldier you distracted with your dog
climb up the ladders to the top level and find this item in the locker
After switching characters and knocking out the first soldier
head into the room behind them then climb the ladder and search the locker to find this item
Head back to the corridor and enter the next room on the right
knock out the soldier then search the locker for this item
return to the bunker where you found the German ring and dig through the dirt to the right
Go through the door and find this item by the wall to the left
before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor
He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’
due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware
and he now has over 750 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet
The TimesIt was art that put Normandy on the international map
The first time the word “impressionism” was deployed
it was to describe a Claude Monet painting of a sunrise over the Normandy port of Le Havre
Monet and his contemporaries had started regular sorties from Paris in search of pastoral and coastal subjects for their new way of seeing
They particularly favoured the riverport of Honfleur
where the Seine meets the sea and is still picture-perfect today
and Monet eventually settled upstream in Giverny
A lot of water has passed under Seine bridges since then
and a lot more people have discovered Normandy’s idyllic half-timbered villages
Normandy has beaches all along the coastALAMYInland
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.
A teenage boy claims he has managed to capture a ‘guardian ghost’ on his phone at a Great War cemetery in France.
Mitch Glover, 14, from Leamington Spa, was visiting the Neuville-St Vaast German war cemetery near Arras, in northern France, during a school trip when he took a photograph of the ‘ghost’.
Not until after the school boy came home, did he notice the eerie figure in one of his pictures, which he says looks like a man wearing the uniform of a Scottish regiment.
Buried at Nine Elms are twelve N.C.O'S. and men of the 114th Seaforth Highlanders who fell on the 9th April, 1917.
‘It looks like there is someone stood there, I thought it was like a ghost from World War One. A soldier.’
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Boy on school trip to France captures image of a Scottish 'ghost'Commenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}
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