Dandelion 66

 

Stargazer puts to sea. Hoisting sail at the head of the Les Sables canal. A light breeze fills in, as we clear the lee of the land.

And come up onto the wind.

Once clear of the Les Barges reefs.

The breeze builds steadily. Eight, twelve, seventeen, twenty three knots. Stargazer strides off, over the Biscay swell. Her skipper pulling in reefs, to keep her comfortable.

We tack up the, north westerly trending, shore. The wind squarely from the north west. Sailing two miles for every one made good. Spray flying, wind singing; Stargazer's tiller gloriously talkative, in my hand.

By late afternoon, Stargazer sights the low sandy shore of Ile d'Yeu. The tuneful whistle of the wind, now become a steady roar. White beards roaming the azure swell. I put the helm down.

For Joinville. Whilst the wind steadies its exuberance. Following the cue of this laid back, terracotta topped, town.