'La houle': the ground swell. Now that Stargazer is about to turn south, past Ushant, into the Bay of Biscay, it will be as important as the wind, in deciding our plans.
Storms, far out in the Atlantic, unrelated to local conditions, send it rolling in. Long, slow and inexorable.
Yesterday, Stargazer rounded the granite maze, guarded by the Ile Vierge lighthouse. The sea a deep cobalt blue, a fair wind on her beam and a moderate metre and a half of la houle. Perfect conditions.
We bore off at the Libenter west cardinal. Picking our way into the L'Aber Wrac'h channel, guided by the rock top markers. The slender red Grand Pot de Buerre first.
Followed by, the tall rotund, Petit Pot de Buerre. Both left to port. Stargazer is on a dead run. Under main only, for better forward visibility. Riding in on the flood, at five knots. Gybing as necessary, to follow the channel.
This morning we had hoped to ride the tidal funnel, of the Chenal du Four, south. But, with a new day came a new forecast : A windless morning, with the best part of two metres, of la houle, to shake any zephyr of breeze from Stargazer's sails.
Followed by an afternoon of twenty five knots of true wind (which translates into around thirty five knots apparent, with the tidal acceleration of the Chenal du Four factored in) and that same two metres of la houle running across it. Making for a lumpy ride.
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Stargazer stays at her mooring, off L'Aber Wrac'h. Biding her time. Watching the world go by, in this tranquil Breton river.
The morning forecast, for the wind and la houle, will decide her next move.
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