Stargazer leaves La Rochelle, French style. Sailing out of the marina aisle. The early morning breeze today excelling, in the extent of its easterly slant.
A merchantman, makes her way into La Pallice, for loading. Tugs bow and stern, to help her make the tight turn. Stargazer ducks astern
In three tacks, Stargazer is through the Ile de Re bridge. Able to ease sheets once more.
For a reach along the Ile de Re shore.
The wind is dropping, but freeing all the while. Until, off the battlements of Saint-Martin-de Re. . . . .
. . . . . the wind is far enough aft, to hoist Stargazer's cruising chute and to regain our speed.
The wind takes its midday siesta. Stargazer rolls on an oily swell. Sails slatting. Her skipper eats lunch, in the shade of the rig. Watching as ripples slowly fan across a smooth sea.
The afternoon breeze builds from the north west. Stargazer beats along the low ochre cliffs, of the mainland shore. The last of the fair tide helping her along. The almanac open, in search of a bolt hole, that can be reached before it turns against us.
We put into Benj Dutreux's home port. A friendly Vendee beach resort. So welcoming that, on seeing our cautious slow speed approach (at low water, on our first visit to Bourgenay), a RIB is despatched, to pilot us through the shoals.
Ashore, a Sunday afternon fete, in aid of the local lifeboat, is in full swing.
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