Zen Again 37

 The first meeting, between the skippers of Ouch and Stargazer, is like a reunion, of old friends long parted. But has to wait, until the morning after our arrival. For we are both weary beyond coherence.

Stargazer set sail, from St Peter Port, at midnight thirty (BST). A bright gibbous moon lights our way. Painting a silver path, across the rippling undulations, of the waves. Mars is a ruddy, red, ruby set amid a spray of diamond white stars.

Twelve to eighteen knots, of north east wind, fill Stargazer's sails. The is sea smooth enough to permit us to run goose-winged, without the need for a pole.

 On the AIS, ‘Ouch Solo Sailor,’ is up to the north. Matching Stargazer's track and pace. Dropping down, from the northern corner of Guernsey, as we clear Les Hanois, to the south.

By zero five thirty (CET), the moon has set. Astern, the sun prepares to take over radiant duties. Dimming the spangled canopy of stars, in an indigo sky.

An hour later, dawn breaks. Casting long shadows over the long swell. Upon which Stargazer surfs, south and west. Rising and falling, accelerating and decelerating. Dancing to the rythm of the sea.

The air warms quickly. Night watch extra-layers are shed. Ouch and Stargazer skip in tandem, across the AIS screen. Out of visual range. Vessel details, for Ouch, show as: 'pleasure vessel, sail, 6 metres length, 3 metres beam.' A description which would fit a Mini Class racer. As would the ‘solo sailor’ moniker.

By zero eight hundred (CET) Stargazer is due west of the Roches Douvres light. Where she has kept her appointment, punctual to the minute, with the start of the west going tide. Which runs hard, forced north and concentrated, by the jut of Les Heaux de Brehat.

Through the morning, Stargazer forges down the rhumb line. Carving a foaming furrow, across the restless blue ocean.

Sweeping north of Les Sept Iles.

Making seven and eight knots, over the ground.

The power of the tide increases. As it squeezes between the Sept Iles archipelago and the Triagoz reefs. Whirling Stargazer with it, through the gap. A benefit which Ouch, to seaward, cannot reap.

The two boats run neck and neck, across Morlaix Bay. The Roscoff shore slowly resolving from smudge, to silhouette, to coloured detail. The departure of the ferry highlights the position, of the port entrance. It is a welcome sight. For, with this wind and swell combination, the vacant ferry berth will provide Stargazer with a sheltered lee, in which to drop sail and rig lines.

By fifteen hundred (CET), Ouch is visible. On Stargazer’s beam. Plunging and rearing in the swell (which the camera flattens, but accounts for the blurring! For Stargazer was not immune to its effects). Ouch's short length (two thirds that of Stargazer), light weight (one fifth of Stargazer's) and blunt scow-bow, making for a lively, if rapid, combination, in the conditions.

Next morning, we two virtual acquaintances, via AIS, become real world friends. Intruigued by one another's craft, exhilerated by our overnight exploits, we strain the limits of our Franglais. United by our shared passion and the joy of a passage well made.