The faintest of sea breezes cools sailors, putting into the bustling harbours of the summer isle of Oleron.
Stargazer left the Gironde in the pre-dawn twilight.
Fast reaching, in fourteen knots apparent. A sluicing ebb beneath her, making eight knots over the ground.
The glow, of the rising sun, picking out the needle, of the Cordouan, down to port.
The swell is slight. Allowing Stargazer to come up onto the wind, shaving the tip of the Banc Mauvais. Laying a course almost directly for the tip of Oleron.
Roger, aboard Katy-Dee, has left an hour before us. He looks to have sailed a further ten miles to seaward, before turning north, at the 'safe water' buoy . The Westerly Konsort is visible as a small white pyramid on the horizon. We beat north. Stargazer sailing higher and faster. Overhauling Katy-Dee by mid morning.
Little by little, the wind fades. The heat of the day cancelling the power of the north east night breeze. By the time we reach the tip of Oleron, Katy-Dee is under engine and Stargazer is ghosting at two and a half knots.
We arrive to find St Denis in relaxed holiday mood, as the wind dies completely.
The plan is to pit stop and use the same tactic, of sailing on the night breeze, to press on north, whilst the tides serve.
No comments:
Post a Comment