En France 3

 

Stargazer has been moored among the Class 40 fleet, these past several days. Basking in the stillness. Last night, as one, they left.

Tomorrow, it should be Stargazer's turn, if the forecast proves correct.

A wild thirty knot westerly is blowing today. Fun, within the shelter of Cherbourg's high harbour walls.

But no time to be off the Cap de la Hague, bound south west, with wind against tide. (Photo taken in 2020, in twenty five knots, wind with tide). Let alone in the Alderney Race itself. Not for nothing do the French call it the Raz Blanchard (white waters).

With some coordinated planning, Stargazer can turn the sweeping tides, which circle the Channel Islands and empty the North Sea's waters into the Atlantic (and vice versa), to her advantage, in making significant westing. 

Particularly with the moderate west winds, which are forecast, over Thursday and Friday. As we found, on the trip over from Chichester, it is difficult to plan for the tides accurately, over longer passages. Then with a simple six hourly reversal of direction. The picture, in the Baie of St Malo, is far more complex, than that in the Channel. The direction of tidal help, or hindrance, depends very much on location, at any given time. That in turn dependent on speed achieved.

Our best policy will be to adopt a flexible approach. Adjusting plans according to progress made. Proceeding in the general direction of Paimpol (if the tide is high, on arrival) or Saint Quay Portrieux (if it is not), after rounding the Cap de la Hague and hitching a ride on the Raz Blanchard.

If Stargazer leaves Cherbourg, with the turn of the tide on Thursday, she should make landfall during the latter part of Friday. Well to the west.