Inspired by Peter’s recent report, we decided to fly there for the first time at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised – in more ways than one 
Having been strongly advised to email customs the day before, we were expecting to show passports at least, but we sailed straight into the terminal building which was completely deserted – apart from a solitary fireman who offered to call us a taxi, then made us coffee while we sat out the 25-30 minute wait.
(yes, that is our pram, not a deserted baby)
The town has a pleasant and fairly typical harbour…
…but behind it lies a myriad of old streets brimming with charm, places to eat, drink, shop and while away the time.
Here’s Peter’s favourite restaurant ( 
) but it was closed for the holidays.
Our hotel (the comfortable and reasonably-priced Mercure) recommended the Brasserie de Commerce for lunch and it was excellent – the kind of traditional brasserie that France does so well and keeps us coming back…
…and dinner at La Régence, which was equally good, a little more upscale but not expensive.
All in all a very jolly time was had, including a spin on the fairground carousel which the little one enjoyed immensely (not to mention my wife).
It’s a fun and charming town that you can do in one day, but having the night and following morning topped it all off nicely.
Returning to the airfield was equally surprising. Having filed a flight plan for 13:30Z we arrived at 12:45Z to find the place completely deserted again – not even the solitary fireman (had he been a dream, we wondered?). No-one was answering any phones either, so we were a bit stuck. You can sail past customs on the way in, but an automatic door prevents you going back. Gotcha!
Eventually we spotted some activity on the tarmac behind the fence and ran round to waive at someone who kindly, if gingerly, let us in through the security gate. I enquired about landing fees and he shrugged saying they didn’t have any (really?). But at least we were now airside. Eventually someone appeared in the tower and normal radio contact ensued. Where had they been all that time? But this is what makes GA so entertaining… every journey is an experience and no amount of planning can fully prepare you, least of all for human nature.
Off we climbed to 5000’ over the sea with a monster tailwind that found us back at North Weald before we could say ‘au revoir’
Great pics!
Thumbs up on the photos! Too many trip reports with poor quality photos these says…
boscomantico wrote:
Too many trip reports with poor quality photos these says…
Thanks. Just an iPhone XS
It‘s not so much about the equipment. It‘s about the skill and, even more so, the effort one puts into the photos.
Looks like you have a great setup there
I’ve only ever used Cherbourg for super speedy Schengen stops and the self service fuel, so it’s interesting seeing it as a destination. That’s one happy child on the carousel
There is a very good Aquarium there – worth a visit
The submarine museum is outstanding. There is a complete French nuclear missile submarine which you can go inside. The reactor section was cut out and taken away but the rest is there.
Best to not go to Cherbourg on a Sunday however; we always found it mostly shut.
Whether the police turn up or not is random, but if they are there, it is pretty essential that you send in the email the previous day. I didn’t do it last time and got a lot of frowns but they let me through.
We need a thread on taking babies flying
The self service fuel needs the TOTAL card, presumably??
No, any credit card or visa debit will work. It does require a lot of patience though! You have to type in your life story and even then it may decide to make you start again. Then it delivers fuel at a painfully slow flow rate.
