La Hirondelle 9

 

Stargazer slips out of St Vaast, at the thoroughly civilised hour of ten am. On the forecast of a breeze building from twelve to eighteen knots and veering from easterly to westerly. 

Beating out, past the Vauban tower. Dodging a forest of pot markers. As we take a short cut across the reefs. Whilst the last of the foul tide runs by to seaward.

The easterly breeze building as Stargazer clears the land. Romping over the residual swell, from yesterday's blow.

Easing sheets for a tide assisted sweep north. To the Pointe de Barfleur. To meet the sluicing west going Channel tide. Bearing off onto a run. Until our wind shift arrives. 

As fast as I can tuck in two reefs, the wind swings west and rises. Stargazer is off, hard on the wind once more, in twenty four knots apparent.

Rocketing in through the protective breakwater. Hot on the heels of Serenity, a Scanmar 33 out of Southampton, which left St Vaast a full hour ahead.

Stargazer secures in front of Cherbourg's grand Gare Maritime. Hidden amongst the forty five footers: French, Dutch, Belgian, German and British. Assembling for the VE Day long weekend. And, perhaps, in the case of the Brits, to celebrate the coronation of a king.