| Voyage Number |
E1016 |
| Voyage price |
£790 for 7days |
| Voyage Dates |
20/07/2010 - 15:00 - 27/07/2010 - 10:00 |
| Depart from |
Brest, France |
| Finishing Port |
St Mawes |
| Voyage area |
Brittany , English Channel , France |
| Voyage type |
Adventure Voyage |
| Vessel |
Eve of St Mawes |
| Availability |
Limited places |
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BOOKING FORM >>>
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Voyage Description
Bisquine de Grandvillaise by Kathy Mansfield
Summer Expedition & Douarnenez Festival 2010
This 6 day summer voyage starts in the French Naval Port of Brest, so you have a chance to settle into sailing Eve before you arrive at the Festival. At the end of the festival Eve will sail North up the Biscay coast of France and up the Chanel de Four between the wild and lonely island of Ushant and the corner of France before crossing the Channel to Cornwall.
Sail Eve out of the famous Rade De Brest and down the dramatic limestone coast to Douarnenez Maritime Festival. This intimate French Festival of the Sea is a mecca for wooden boat lovers, photographers and artists who love to soak up the scene of a sea of masts and working boats alongside wooden wharves or in the historic fishing port of Rosmeur. It is also an active festival for crews with lots of activities, races and sailing re-inactments out on the water. The medieval streets are a perfect venue for musicians and ships crew who want to step back in time to an era where fishing and trade was under sail and boats dryed out alongside stone quays.
Action out on the Water
The French are brilliant at creating a spectacle and they encourage vessels to take part in races and sailing demonstations each day, so you will much more than a nautical tourist. The skills you have learnt sailing Eve down to Douarnenenez will be put to good practice as Eve and numerous traditional boats with bowsprits manouvre out of harbour each day for a spot of action on the water.
Maximise your Sailing in France
This is an ideal voyage if you prefer lots of sail handling and spectacle out on the water, French coastal sailing and by the end of the week you will feel like a true traditional boat sailor - ready for your potentially challenging 95 mile passage accross the channel to our home port of St Mawes, Cornwall
If you want to escape for a decent length summer sailing expedition, do a bit of offshore passage making and social sailing with all nationalities at the festival, why not consider on the voyage from St Mawes to Brest (E1015).
The skipper will sail with an experienced mate who has sailed on Eve before on this voyage but we also welcome other potential watch leaders who may be interested in sailing as a mate on future French or Scilly Island Voyages.
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Brest
Vessel location
The ideal plan is to crew change in the relatively new Marina du Chateau which is just under the city centre walls, situated between the Port du Commerce and the entrance to La Penfeld River. This is the closest to the SNCF railway station. If the vessel cannot be found a berth in this marina you can ring the skipper direct to find the alternative berth, and we will try to contact you via a mobile phone if you have one.
The City
From a sailing point of view, the main advantage of Brest as a joining port for Classic Sailing is that it is 'around the corner.' The North Brittany coast is pretty rugged until you sail around the north western corner of France inside the island of L' Ouessant using the Chanel du Four tidal race. After the Pte de Matthieu it can still be wild, but there are more islands and bay to anchor in, rather than vast rock plateaux extending from the shore. You also enter the French sailors summer sailing playground - just too far for most GB yachts from the Solent to reach for a weeks vacation.
Brest has good transport links with the rest of France and Europe, its own airport only 20 mins from the city centre. It is not difficult to reach from the UK via the nearby ferry port of Roscoff (coach / train) with minimal walking distances to the train station, and from Brest railway station downhill to the marina berth.
We do recommend you book any foot passenger ferry tickets early as this is a very popular route for UK cars going to France and avoiding Calais / Paris routes in summer.
Brest is the 2nd most important Naval Base in France. It is also an important university town with over 23 000 students. Oceanographic research is important to France and 60% of its research linked with the sea is based in Brest, so it is a truely nautical city.
Every 4 years it holds the famous Brest International Festival of the Sea, which we usually try not to miss. Eve has sailed in every festival since 2000, when there were over 3000 traditional boats and tall ships from around the world. The next is planned is Brest 2012.
The whole city centre overlooks the harbour and the vast inland sea of the Rade de Brest creates 15 000 hectares of outer harbour with an attractive rural backdrop and small seaside villages only a few miles accross the water from the city.
Accommodation
There are over 50 hotels in the city, 3 camp sites, a youth hostel and over 300 restuarants.
You can view and book accommodation on line via the Brest Tourist Information website (English and German versions) www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr
Getting to Brest and Back
Plane
Brest Airport has regular scheduled flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, City), Southampton (in Summer), Glasgow, Manchester Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Bristol, Luton, Cardiff.
In Europe there are scheduled flights direct to Brest from Dublin, Paris ( Charles de Gaulle & Paris - Orly) Bordeaux, Lyon-St Exupery, Marsaille, Nice, Toulon.
From outside Europe, flights into Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport) give you the option of a domestic flight to Brest or high speed TGV train.
For a downloadable PDF of all their regular flights and useful local information see Brest airport website www.airport.cci-brest.fr
Cheap UK airlines flying to Brest include www.flybe.com and www.ryanair.fr
There is a shuttle bus from Brest SNCF station to Brest airport 8-10 times a day. Journey time is 25 minutes and a single ticket costs 4.60 euros (2009 price)
Ferries
Ferry routes are Plymouth - Roscoff (for Brest)
Prices can change so use the search to look up your own prices and availabilty for Ferries on www.brittany-ferries.co.uk and for vehicle select foot passenger. You can book on line.
BOOKING TIPS:
Please note that the reclining seat (cheapest) option for foot passengers can only be booked in advance on the day time services (typically £39 plus £5 handling fee in summer 2010). They will sell you a reclining seat on the overnight passages, but only once they have sold all their cabins.
If you want to book an overnight service you need to decide whether to pay for a cabin (see prices below) well in advance, or hang on till last minute and they usually have reclining seats to sell at cheaper price. If you are a real 'cheap-skate' like our skippers, you can usually find a quiet part of the ship to sleep on the floor with your sleeping bag, which is far more comfortable than sleeping upright the reclining seat. You won't be the only passenger doing this !
Just outside Roscoff ferry terminal is a regular bus to Morlaix SNCF railway station (35 mins) which gets you on the fast main TGV rail line to Brest. It is just as simple in reverse. Our skippers use the bus link as it goes direct from the ferry terminal. There is also a train from Roscoff - Morlaix - Brest, but it is 20 min walk to the station and you still have to change in Morlaix.
It is a 10 minute walk into Roscoff from the Ferry Terminal.
Voyage E1015 (St Mawes - Brest
Suggested ferry service back to UK. Voyage ends on Tues in Brest at approx 1000hrs. Plenty of time to catch train & short bus link to Roscoff terminal, and even have a nice lunch in attractive Roscoff town.
Departs: 1630hrs Tues 20th July 2010 Roscoff
Arrives: 2130hrs Tues 20th July 2010 Plymouth
Price: Reclining seat one way £39 plus £5 handling fee. (quote 22/12/09)
Voyage E1016 (Brest - St Mawes)
Suggested ferry service outward
Departs: 0800hrs Tues 20th July 2010 Plymouth
Arrives: 1500hrs Tues 20th July 2010 Roscoff
Price: Reclining seat one way £39 plus £5 handling fee. (quote 22/12/09)
Plymouth Brittany Ferry Terminal Guide
Contact details Address: Millbay, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3EW. Tel: 0871 244 1401
Getting to Plymouth Terminal
By car
If you're driving from London, take the M4 west to the junction with the M5 going south to Exeter. From Exeter, head southwest on the A38 to Plymouth. Follow the signs for the ferry terminal into the city ( Brittany Ferries are the only cross channel ferry service from Plymouth).
BOOKING TIP: Unless you are booking E1015 (Brest - Brest) voyage and just want the convienience of driving your car to the ferry port we recommend you use public transport or some other cunning plan as car parking at the terminal costs more than most ferry tickets !
Parking Prices in Dec 2009 were £70 for 7 days or £80 for 8 days. Call private company APCOA on 02392 073378 for current prices.
By train
Frequent trains run from London's Paddington Station to Plymouth in 3 ¼ to 4 hours. For rail information, tel. 08457 484950 in the UK. Plymouth Train Station lies on North Road, 5 minutes from the City Centre, so a taxi to ferry terminal is easiest, or a 20 min walk.
By coach
National Express has frequent daily bus services between London's Victoria Coach Station and Plymouth. The trip takes 5 ½ hours. Call National Express on 08705 808080 for schedules and information.
By foot
It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk to the ferry terminal from Plymouth town centre and 20 minutes from both the train and bus stations.
If you have left your car in St Mawes, there are regular train services between Plymouth & Truro, and a branch line to Falmouth for St Mawes, or if you give Classic Sailing office advance warning we may be able to collect you from Truro station.
For similar information on Portsmouth Brittany Ferry Terminal see www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
Time to Kill in Roscoff ?
Roscoff is a charming, small Breton fishing village that provides the perfect gateway to the delights of Brittany. The seaside town is clustered around a small bay, with 16th-century granite houses, little shops, and bars and restaurants, hugging the shoreline. The old harbour is the best place to while away the hours while enjoying a drink with sea views, or alternatively you can take a boat trip from here to the Ile de Batz (pronounced Ba).
Museum of the 'Onion Johnnies'
Britain's stereotypical image of Frenchmen wearing stripy t-shirts and carrying onions on wobbly bikes, began after visits to England by the menfolk of Roscoff. Henri Olivier first took onions from Roscoff to England in 1828 and until the 1930s 'Johnnies' would load up their boats with local produce and sail to England, where they delivered their goods to local markets on their bicycles. They used to carry up to 100 kilos, hence the wobbles, and some Johnnies would travel as far as Cornwall and Scotland for work. The Museum has recently opened to celebrate this lovely tradition.
Thalassotherapy
An excellent way to begin or end a holiday is to try a half-day "taster" course at the century-old Thalassotherapy Institute, costing around €79. Treatments include seawater and seaweed therapies, to stimulate healing and relaxation.
Jardin Exotique
This extraordinary garden boasts over 3,000 species of tropical plants, from all over the world, including South Africa, Chile and Australia. It has spectacular rockeries, and it is worth climbing up the highest 18-metre high rock, to get a superb view of the bay of Morlaix, Roscoff, Carantec and the Château du Taureau.
Notre Dame de Croatz Batz
This beautifully restored church dominates the town's skyline and is a fantastic example of 16th century gothic architecture. Its rows of bells resemble a tiered cake.
Ile de Batz
A 15-minute boat trip from the harbour will take you to the charming and car-free Ile de Batz, with its impressive lighthouse and lovely gardens, giving you a great view of the mainland.
Eating and Drinking
In Roscoff, you can savour delicious French cuisine, in particular seafood such as nutty-flavoured mussels, and traditional Breton crepes. Around the old port you'll find many charming places to eat.
Our top Roscoff dining tips include the Michelin-starred Temps de Vivre, a fantastic restaurant housed in a beautiful 16th century building. Its chef is one of the most celebrated in Brittany and creates special dishes such as cabbage stuffed with crab and prawns. L'Ecume des Jours is situated in the centre of the old port, opposite the sea, near the townhouse. Its decor is charming and rustic, reflecting the history of the old Breton house and their prices are very reasonable. Le Surcouf, situated between the church and the fishing port, is also popular and specialises in meat and fish dishes.
St Mawes
Joining or leaving point.
Assemble towards the end of St Mawes Quay. There is only one quay right in the centre of the village. If the tide is in you will be able to board directly on to Eve of St Mawes or Annabel J. If there is not enough tide you will be taken out to your pilot cutter by dinghy.
Getting to or from your port.
Ferry is the best way. Contact St Mawes Ferry on 01872 861 911 or 07855 438 674 http://www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/ferries Ferries are hourly in winter and three per hour in the summer.
Train
To get to St Mawes Ferry catch the train to the “Falmouth The Dell” Station which is on the branch line from Truro. Trains come into Cornwall to Truro from many parts of the UK. http://www.raileasy.co.uk
“The Dell” is ten minutes walk from Customs House Quay where one of three ferries runs to St Mawes in the summer. In the winter it is about another five minutes walk to the Prince of Wales Pier.
Bus and Coach
First Group run a regular service from Truro Bus Station a twenty minute walk from the Railway Station. http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/home/index.php
National Express run Coaches to Truro all year and Falmouth summer time only. http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/index.cfm
Service No 50 - Tel 0871 200 2233
Plane
Newquay Airport (NQY) is about 40 miles away and about £55 taxi fare.
Taxi - You can book a local taxi on 01326 279 042 or 07971 104 909 ask for Graham.
Flights currently from London Gatwick, London City Airport, Belfast City, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds – Bradford, Manchester, Stansted. See http://www.flightmapping.com/maps/UKIreland
Road
The A30 is the best route into Cornwall for St Mawes – if you follow a Sat Nav you will probably be taken via King Harry Car Ferry which is not the quickest route but is worth doing for the experience.
The best way is to leave the A30 at Fraddon and follow the B3275 until it meets the A390 where you turn left for a little way back towards St Austell. Then follow the signs to the right for the A3078 which ends in St Mawes.
Parking
There are two car parks in St Mawes both trouble free and requiring coins.
St Mawes Quay Car Park is very convenient as it is where you join your voyage but is a little more expensive.
St Mawes Central Car Park run by the St Just in Roseland Parish Council at about £18.00 for 6 days is recommended. It is just a minute walk from the Quay.
History
St Mawes has a beautiful Tudor Castle built at King Henry 8th directions to be half of the Castles that protected the Fal from the Spanish. The Castle is unique in being in the shape of a clover leaf without any later spoiling additions. It was in constant military usage from 1568 to 1918 when it was handed over to what is now English Heritage.
The artist William Turner made St Mawes famous by painting a scene of the fishing harbour with the Castle on the hill behind, very Italianette, http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?workid=14744&tabview=image
St Mawes was the main port for Falmouth Pilot Boats and is still an active fishing village.
Attractions
St MawesCastle
St Just Church – a medieval building in a wonderful lush green setting next door to the Bar.
Sailing in the Roseland and Cornwall
Walking
The South West Coast Path is linked by two ferries Falmouth to St Mawes and St Mawes to Place (Place Ferry summer time only). There is a contrasting choice of walking from rugged headlands like St Anthony and the Dodman to the quiet creeks of Percuil and the Fal at Ruan and Philleigh where there is a micro brewery at the Roseland Inn www.roselandinn.co.uk/
Annual Events
Classic Sailing Pilot Cutter Review – June each year http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk/info/pilot-cutter-review
St Mawes Regatta as part of Falmouth Sailing Week see www.stmawessailing.co.uk/
Roseland Festival every Autumn http://www.crbo.co.uk/roseland/welcome.php
High Quality accommodation
Hotel Tresanton as used by Prince Charles and Adam Purser www.tresanton.com/
Mid range accommodation
Braganza best guest recommendations www.stmawes.info/bed-and-breakfast/braganza-guesthouse
Idle Rocks www.idlerocks.co.uk
Rising Sun www.risingsunstmawes.co.uk
Victory Inn and best pub Adam’s local. www.victory-inn.co.uk
Standard accommodation
Little Newton B&B www.stmawes.info/bed-and-breakfast/little-newton
Newton Farm B&B www.stmawes.info/bed-and-breakfast/newton-farm-bed-and-breakfast
Camping
Trethem Mill Touring Park
Award winning Caravan and Camp Site www.trethem.com
Stay In Britain - Bed and Breakfast, Hotels, Guest House, Self Catering and campsites in britain
We are keen to keep this information accurate and we welcome your comments.
Alternative Joining in Falmouth if the wind is too strong from the South West. You will be notified near the joining time if this is required. Please make sure we have your mobile phone number to let you know if we have had to to do this. We will use either Port Pendennis or Falmouth Visitor Yacht Haven depending on availability. Please NOTE this is only used it the weather is unsuitable for St Mawes.
Eve of St Mawes Pilot Cutter
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Ekki Keel, oak frames, larch planking, Douglas Fir mast and bowsprit.
"Throughly enjoyed the holiday. It was a real escape. I pretend I'm on the boat at home. I haven't slept so well for a long time! " Liz L
Eve of St Mawes Dimensions:
Length on deck 38’
Length with bowsprit 51’
Beam 12’
Draught 6’ 2”
Engine 42hp
Tonnage 14
Rig Gaff Cutter
Sails: gaff mainsail, gaff topsail, staysail, working jib, flying jib, jib topsail and storm jib.
Construction
Built and Designed by Luke Powell, Working Sail.
Launched April 1997
Ekki keel, oak frames, larch planking, Douglas Fir Mast and bowsprit.
Below Decks:
6 single berths with reading lights
Headroom—some low beams
Large oak dining table & serious cooker.
Hot and cold running water
Shower and WC
Full size navigation table
Radar, GPS, DSC VHF
Safety: MCA Code of Practice Category 2, up to 60 miles from a safe haven.
Skipper
Debbie has a commercial Yachtmaster Certificate, has worked as a landscape architect, taught outdoor pursuits, sail training on large yachts and tall ships. She enjoys sketching and block print making.
Voyage Fees include:
all meals, sailing tuition, waterproofs, port fees, wildlife guides were arranged, pillows and pillowcases.
Involvement level: full hands on sailing, navigation if you wish and washing up.
Eve of St Mawes was launched new in 1997
Eve of St Mawes lots of information pdf
Eve owes her heritage to the pilot Cutters of the Isles of Scilly. Rugged and versatile craft built to withstand the rigours of the Western Approaches in comfort and safety; these little ships were fast, weatherly and immensely strong.
Built in 1996 by Luke Powell, many people mistake Eve for an old boat; such is the sense of history within her solid new timbers. Constructed entirely traditionally from the best materials available, Eve was built to last. She has been admired, photographed and written about countless times.
" Nobody would have guessed this as a brand new vessel. The feeling of history inherent in theses vessels was present in Eve" Classic Boat Magazine article on Eve of St Mawes 1997
Voyage Style
A hard working and plucky ship earning her keep, Eve offers block and tackle sailing on an intimate scale. On deck you have a boat only 38’ long that beginners can throw around easily for RYA teaching, but the beauty of a bowsprit is that she can also spread her wings.
Under full canvas from overhanging boom to bowsprit cap she becomes a 51’ cutter – able to set 5 sails, keep experienced sailors very busy and create quite a spectacle around the small ports and harbours of Cornwall, Brittany and the Scillies.
Eve is large enough to accommodate 6 in comfort and carry enough resources to sail independently of marinas, yet small enough to do some serious creek crawling. She fits perfectly into the secluded anchorages and out of the way corners of her playground.
Leaving only the sparkling wake behind her makes you realise the full potential of traditional boats like Eve of St Mawes and the ethical forces behind them.
"Eve is a beautiful boat, outside and in, and the all wood construction adds a charm distinctly lacking in most modern boats - real character " - Rob.
What to Bring
N.B. BOATS HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE SO PLEASE LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE SOFT BAG OR RUCKSACK (not suitcases).
Sleeping bag (pillow & pillow case provided)
Hats for sun and cold weather.
At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
Swim suit, towel, and suntan lotion.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes.
Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can come over deck if rough*.
(An alterative to boots in summer is to bring another pair of flat shoes with a good grip in case the first pair get wet).
All terrain type Sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
For sailing & Walking voyages / Scillies – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on Eve’s deck too (over 1” thick planking with a non slip paint).
A small rucksack is useful for going ashore – especially on sailing and walking and Scillies voyages.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
Passport for French Voyages, (an E111 Form from Post Office - Reciprocal Free Health Care in Europe)
(Please bring a passport on Scillies, RYA courses or other 6-7 day voyages so Brittany can be an alternative option)
Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.
RYA Cruising Logbook for RYA Courses.
We supply offshore waterproof jacket and trousers, but you can bring your own.
Musical instruments are always welcome.
Alcohol – we do not supply alcohol on board, but you are welcome to bring modest quantities e.g. to drink with meals, but consumption will be at the discretion of the instructor / skipper for safety reasons.
