Dandelion 11

 In the still of a, single sweater (no coat), morning, the sun gently steams beads of dew, from Stargazer's deck.

 

I take a pot of coffee, stood in her hatchway. Drinking in the Gallic magnificence, of the Dieppe waterfront. Before fetching fresh breakfast croissant, from Masson's, in the market square.

Suitably fortified, I stroll around the harbour, to the gare maritime. Where my passport is stamped. Legalising Stargazer's arrival in France.

Yesterday, Stargazer took the 05.30 lock, favoured by the fishing fleet, out of Eastbourne. Setting sail, into a wan dawn, on the promise of seventeen knots of easterly breeze, in the Channel.

Stargazer shaves the Sovereign shoal. Steering one five zero degrees. Reaching, under full sail, at six and a half knots. Conditions milder, but more moist, than those of the past several days.

I put up Stargazer's spray hood. Leaving the wet work, of steering, to the auto pilot. Whilst I keep watch, from the companionway. Venturing out to trim sails. As the extra speed, leant us by the strength of the east going tide, pulls our apparent wind forward. Tucking in a reef, at twenty knots.

Shipping is well spaced, in the lanes. Delfin generously makes a clear ten degree alteration, four miles out, to show that she will pass Stargazer astern. Even though she was 'stand on' vessel. Perhaps anticipating that she is in the wind's eye. Making it difficult for Stargazer to dip her stern. As strictly speaking we should.

Stargazer sweeps on, down the rhumb line. One five zero. Her compass course steady, but her ground track elliptical. As the spring tide sets her east. Before, at twenty nautical miles out, bringing her back westerly.

At fifteen miles off, Stargazer threads the Dieppe trawler fleet. As they circle and flit. In Pursuit of unseen shoals.

At five miles, from the harbour entrance, our fair breeze deserts us. Completely. Blanketed by the tall cliffs of the 'Cote d'Albatre.' I rig lines and fenders, as Stargazer motors landward.

The colours of the cliffs steadily reveal themselves, beyond a gently heaving, pewter sea. Verdant green valleys incise sheer white chalk, veined with browns and ochres.