An egret fishes in the main approach channel. The still waters mirroring its poised form - and barely covering the claws of its feet.
The fishing fleet lolls sleepily against the Grand Jetee. It is 'basse mer' (low tide) in St Vaast la Hougue.
Tractors, and oyster farmers, roam the rocky seabed. Tending their 'tuiles.' Well out, toward the horizon, boats sail in the Petite Rade.
The oyster beds extend almost to the moorish tower - beneath which Stargazer anchored, for the tide to rise, yesterday evening.
It is always 'plein mer' (high tide) behind the harbour gates.
Fishing boats, great and small, come and go purposefully.
Yachts, great, small. . .
. . . and petite, bustle busily.
Behind the frontage of leafy. . .
. . . well groomed streets, of this informally friendly provincial Normandy town, . . .
. . . lies an elaborate stone built church. Built from, and in thanks for, the wealth from beneath the waves.
Complete with soaring finials and flying buttresses.
Ornate stained glass windows, glow richly in the sunlight.
Stargazer lies poised to press on. The winds are forecast to swing into the west and then south west. Before then it would be best for us to have rounded the northern tip of the Cotentin peninsula, sailed south through the Raz Blanchard (Alderney Race), and be moored in a harbour on its western shore. We sail on the tide, at midday.
No comments:
Post a Comment