La Hirondelle 51

 

In a classic pincer movement, the two trawlers overhaul Stargazer. One from the port quarter, a net down. The other to starboard, unencumbered. So far as I can tell.

Once past, they halt. The white boat laying alongside the red. Stemming the tide, whilst the net, and two marker buoys, are strung between the two vessels.

Before, with a great blowing of klaxons and belching of black smoke, the pair set off at speed. Leaving Stargazer bobbing, bemused, upon the swell.

Stargazer left the Ile d'Yeu at dawn. Beating out, on a zephyr of southerly breeze.

Lured by a passage-making forecast. Amid the settled summer days, best suited to the languid exploration of ports and anchorages. 

Southerly eight to ten knots, veering westerly eighteen, veering north west twenty five. Is too good to squander.

By mid morning, Stargazer is off Les Sables d'Olonne, making five knots. Still hard on the building southerly breeze.

The westerly veer arrives at midday. Enabling Stargazer to hoist the cruising chute. Giving an extra knot.

Or two. . . .as the wind speed increases.

By mid afternoon, Stargazer's bow wave roars it’s mirth, rather than chuckles.

The southern tip of Ile de Re is abeam.

Local boats, are out for a Sunday sail, bouncing across a rising swell. 

I furl the cruising chute in seventeen knots true (eleven apparent). Gybing Stargazer, onto port. Reaching, as broad as we can, along the low sandy shoreline of Ile de Re. Skimming its outer reefs. Taking the opportunity to rig fenders, whilst the navigation is straight-line simple. 

Stargazer is surfing at eight knots, as we scud past the Ile de Re bridge. The breeze up to twenty five knots. Jib furled. Full main set. Thundering along.

 A part laden merchantman, which I had taken for anchored (and is not transmitting on AIS) looms to starboard. Moving very slowly. Bound for the cargo port at La Pallice, beneath the arches of the bridge. We cross ahead.

Romping into the harbour channel. A roadway of red and green markers, exuberantly crisscrossed by foil borne windsurfers. Which leads between La Rochelle's ancient stone towers; Saint Nicolas and La Chaine.