FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to Brest Festival of the Sea 2024

The best way to experience Brest International Festival of the Sea is to sail there on a boat stunning enough to impress the French, but small enough to go out sailing in the Rade de Brest as much as possible. With only 6 guest crew on board, skipper and mate, Tallulah is perfect for that, but big enough for her feel like a ship rather than a small boat on the cross channel passage from Cornwall to Brest. 

This is part 1 of an extended Tallulah adventure in Brittany – sailing From Cornwall, UK to France for Brest Festival of the Sea. The 8 day voyage enjoys a Channel crossing, exciting sailing down the rugged coast of France and into the big Naval port of Brest. The voyage crew enjoy a few days at the festival, sailing by day in the Rade de Brest (a large inland sea) and soaking up the atmosphere ashore in the evenings.

This Part 1 voyage ends in Brest and there is a train to Roscoff for those who need to catch a ferry back to the UK.

If you want to be crew in the next part of the journey (Part 2 Voyage includes the Fleet sail to Dournenez festival, a few days at DZ Temp Fetes and a return sail to Cornwall) then take a look at the combined voyage for a 15 night double festival extravaganza.

Shoreside at these festivals is amazing, but the French really encourage everyone to go sailing during their nautical festivals. Its all about creating a scene. On the outgoing passage from Newlyn to Brest, once you have relaxed from your journey, we aim to go out for a day sail or two and cross bowsprits with tall ships and traditional craft from around the world. The Rade de Brest is an inland sea big enough to accommodate a few hundred vessels going for a blast in the sunshine. Its a photographers dream.

This is the first proper Brest Festival gathering for 7 years so it is going to be full of energy and excitement ashore, but out on the water its a delight with searoom to enjoy the passing sails, and even anchor away from the festival site for a chilled evening.

The Sea Journey to Brest

Tallulah will be in Newlyn for the start of your voyage to Brittany. Preceding your voyage is Mousehole Sea Salt and Sail Festival. This intimate Cornish harbour festival is just south of Newlyn. Whilst it is on a tiny scale compared with Brest, several of the bigger boats attending will also be sailing across the widest part of the English Channel to be part of Brest or Douarnenez festival with our Celtic cousins.

Maybe we will be sailing in company with luggers and small boats with tan sails braving the crossing, or more than likely it will be just Tallulah getting an ocean like experience in the Western Approaches. This edge of the Atlantic was a ship hunting ground for pilot cutters historically but today we will have our eyes peeled for marine wildlife. The fast tides and shallowing seas are rich in nutrients, fish, diving gannets and dolphins.

Chanel du Four & Lonely lighthouses

As the shanty song sings “From Ushant to Scilly is 35 leagues” so our 90-100 mile passage to the wild west corner of France will be timed to catch the tidal race down through the Chanel du Four.

The dark, forboding present of Isle d’Ouessant (Ushant) is a distinctive landmark on route. Some of the tallest lighthouses in Europe remind us to focus on our navigation, but the Chanel du Four between Ushant and mainland France is wider than you think, with many beacons to funnel the fleet southwards towards Pte De Mathieu and the entrance to Cameret and Brest. Bring a Hornblower book with you to set the scene. This is the famous seascape for the British Naval blockade during the Napoleonic wars.

If there is time and the right weather we may stop somewhere like L’Aberwarch or Lampaul on Ushant itself. Cameret Sur Mer is another option and great for seafood restaurants.

Join the Throng Ashore – Brest is a sailors city

Ashore the festival site is huge, with many wharfs, outdoor cafes and stalls. The city wall encloses the dock area, or you wander though to the Naval dockyard. There is live music, with fireworks and floodlit nautical processions most nights in the inner harbour. As you would expect there is much eating and drinking and sailor socialising. The bigger tall ships are generally open to the public, but it is almost as good to stand under their rigging and soak up the history of each nations maritime history.

Day Sailing in the Rade De Brest

The Port of Brest will welcome vessels attending with a crew meal, if we get the timing right, but equally there is festival street food, local bars, or showers beckoning. after a bit of time ashore to soak up the atmosphere, then a more relaxed day sail in the Rade de Brest is usually popular. Last time Tallulah’s skipper was at Brest Festival it was a heatwave and almost all the boats set off mid morning to enjoy cooling sea breezes out on the water. The Rade de Brest is a big inland sea with several large river estuaries joining it. You can cross bowsprits with all sizes of craft or drift up sheltered wooded rivers for a bit peace. Some of the nearby coastal villages have quieter celebrations you can join by anchoring off and rowing ashore.

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities, and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation.  There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

AGILITY & FITNESS

Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application.  If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better. 

What to pack for a sailing holiday on Tallulah

Included

• Sailing Instruction
• Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses)
• All meals on board & refreshments throughout the day
• Bed linen, duvet, pillows
• Wooden rowing boat activities
• 2 x Stand Up Paddleboards & buoyancy jackets (on summer voyages)

What is not included

• Alcoholic beverages
• Towels
• Wellie boots
• Waterproof jackets & trousers 

What to Bring

Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack as there is limited storage space on board. No suitcases please!

Tallulah does not have waterproof jacket and trousers yet, so please bring a properly waterproof jacket and trousers on all voyages.

Walking and cycling waterproofs are usually adequate and much lighter to pack, so there really is no need to buy a coastal sailing jacket (unless you really want an excuse to invest in your future sailing). If you need any advice, or lack of a jacket is preventing you participating, please ring us on 01326 53 1234

• warm, windproof jacket for days when you don't want to wear a waterproof jacket
• 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.
• we have space if you want to bring a wetsuit for wild swimming or SUP adventures
• 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 alternative 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.
• Scillies trips – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on deck too
• A small rucksack is useful for going ashore
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
• Passport for European or Ireland Voyages, Reciprocal Free Health Care card in Europe.
• Please bring a passport on French trips
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.
• RYA Cruising Logbook or similar if you want to log your sailing experience e.g. sea miles, night hours
• Musical instruments are always welcome.

Alcohol

Tallulah does not always have wine bottles for sale on board so you are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol, (unless it is an alcohol free voyage) e.g. to drink with evening meals, but drinking whilst sailing is not allowed.

A Note on Covid 19

While Tallulah's guests do not need to prove Covid Vaccination status at this time, it is expected that if a guest feels unwell prior to joining the ship they should always use common sense and test when appropriate to decide whether they should join the voyage, for their own safety and the safety of others onboard. It is a requirement that guests on residential voyages take out appropriate Travel Insurance and care should be taken to ensure insurance includes cover for such a case. Likewise, should members of Tallulah's professional crew including the skipper feel unwell prior to a voyage, they will always use common sense & test when appropriate.

 

Fantastic experience where we were given expert help and advice by Debbie and crew. I never thought we would tack Talulah into Falmouth harbour but we did, what a fun experience and soooo enjoyable. Highly recommended and will be booking up again soon, thank you

Howard - July 2023

This was the first time I had sailed, and although I suffered from seasickness a couple of times, the experience was something that I could not have even imagined. The crew were all very helpful to a "newbie" and would think of another sailing trip, but perhaps in calmer waters .

Anonymous happy customer - July 2023

Fantastic day! The skipper (Debbie) kept it interesting by rotating crew and still maintaining full control! Amazing

James - July 2023

Debbie is great, she has a great passion for sailing and is very knowledgeable about boat building too! Anthony was extremely helpful, they make a great team and they made us feel very comfortable on board. Understandably, there is limited space and privacy but I slept really well which I really did not expect! Would love to sail again with Debbie and Tallulah.

Caroline Spring 2023

Thanks for looking after us very well. Good to be in safe, sure and pleasant hands...It was a nice experience I've wanted to try for a long time. Thanks for making it a good one...I love what you're doing and your courage and I wish you great success.

Diane

Great to sail on another class of sailing vessel with an experienced skipper and mate. I enjoyed the sailing a lot. The crew were very helpful and the food was very good.

Peter

Sailing on Tallulah

Both Debbie and Jess were excellent. Both were good at explaining things and very patient. I have also been out on Moosk and Agnes. Going out on Tallulah with Debbie and Jess was by far the best experience.

Alasdair, Spring 2023

Photos and images of the striking 44ft pilot cutter Tallulah, offering charter voyages for individuals, couples and groups from 2022.  Based in St Mawes, Cornwall. No experience is necessary and a local skipper as your guide.