There was no usable visible horizon. Coast becoming visible at a range of about
five miles.
I can agree with that, I routed from overhead Lydd, direct to Le Touquet about 1130Z yesterday, and back again at about 1515Z, the horizon was pretty non existant on the way back, instrument flying most of the way.
On the way out it was better, but still not great. I was up at 5,000 but on the way out there was a noticable layer of thin cloud / mist quite far below at the mid channel point.
It amazes me how many folk choose not to talk to any ATC unit whilst flying over water or hostile terrain.
Manston were able to give me a radar service right through to mid channel and then it was a straight handover to Le Touquet approach, very easy.
I saw the rescue helicopter coast out when I was in Le Touquet, was kind of hoping it wasnt for something like this, very sad