Dandelion 111

 The tides are the predictable part of any passage plan. For a passage to Poole, during the next five days, they dictate an overnight Channel crossing. If we are to hurdle the St Peter Port cill and carry a fair tide, through the Alderney Race.

The trickier navigation can still be tackled before dusk or after dawn. Here, I am thinking of clearing the tide-torn Cap de la Hague, on the Normandy shore. Then the landfall off Anvil Point, where pot buoys abound. Followed by making our way up Poole Harbour. Where a plethora of shore lights, can make it difficult to pick out those of navigational significance.

Leaving the sea crossing, to the hours of darkness. During which the only obstructions should be clearly lit shipping, visible on AIS. The coming, neap tide, nights will be moonless. If we are blessed with a sighting, of either the Aurora Borealis, or the Perseid Meteor Shower, we shall be in for a spectacular show.

The less reliably predicted element, of Stargazer's passage plan, is the wind. Which we want from the westerly quarter, strong enough to ensure a fast passage. Yet not so strong as to make life aboard (cooking and eating, for example) onerous. For the past several days, the forecasts have suggested that a Friday afternoon departure would achieve this. But this morning’s update has a local, Thursday night, blow lingering into Friday. It may be a case of assessing actual conditions, on the afternoon of departure.