Espana 24

 

The elements of a plan, for Stargazer's passage north, may be beginning to coalesce. From today the Landes rocket range, which does not operate at weekends, at night or in August, is no longer an impediment.

Throughout our cruise along this coast, the afternoon breeze has been a daily friend. Blowing at ten to fourteen knots between midday and around eighteen hundred. Usually from the west. A reaching breeze, if headed north. A point of sail which gives Stargazer the option to hoist the cruising chute, to maintain full speed.

This morning's forecast suggests that there will be a belt, of ten to twelve knot westerly winds, extending south from the Gironde to around thirty to forty miles north of the Spanish coast, during the midweek. The trick will be to to use the afternoon sea breeze to carry Stargazer up into that belt of westerlies.

The timing, of our departure, will be all. Stargazer is topped up with food and water, in readiness.

Meanwhile, there is still much to see in Hondaribbia. I had overlooked the King Charles V castle, up on the walled mount.

Standing, as it does, in the shadow of the far grander church of Our Lady of the Apple Tree. This being Hondarribia (also known as Fuenterrabia or Fontarrabie) the name is an alternative to that of church of Our Lady of the Assumption. It can be hard to keep up with sobriquets, on this coast!

By whatever name, the ambiance, of buildings still in daily use many centuries after their stones were laid, is palpable.

With a labyrinth of back streets to wander. Whilst we watch how our weather window develops.