Dandelion 64

 A fireball sunrise silhouettes the spires and minarets, of the La Rochelle skyline.

Stargazer slips silently seaward. The northerly night breeze, on her quarter. A fair tide beneath us. Our plan, to ride the breeze until it falters. In the heat of the day.

We steer downwind, of the rhumb line, to clear the arriving Utopia of the Seas. Once her passengers have breakfasted, it will be a busy day on the waterfront of the Vieux Port.

We harden up, once clear of the wind shadow. In six, tide assisted, tacks we are at the Ile de Re bridge.

Finding ourselves lined up on the central arch, when Stargazer settles into the sixth board. It acts as a marine 'central reservation' between the designated north and south bound shipping lanes. 

Leisure craft may pass, wherever they find sufficient air and water draft. Provided that they keep clear of commercial movements.

Utopia of the Seas stays on the La Pallice side of the bridge. The waters here too shallow for her like. Even at the top of the tide.

Our, late to bed, night breeze holds steady, at ten knots, through the mid morning. Carrying Stargazer past Saint Martin de Re. A possible stopover, had it faded early.

Gradually progress slows. The wind dropping to six knots and veering easterly. Which allows Stargazer to hoist the cruising chute, and restore momentum, for a while.

But this far into the day, the night breeze is tiring. Breaths come in puffs and wheezes. The shoreside villas slipping past ever slower. It is in need of an afternoon siesta. So that it may return reinvigorated tonight.

This is the signal for Stargazer to stop for the day. Back in Les Sables d'Olonne, for a pit stop.