Old Harry stands tall and proud in the crisp spring sunlight.
Stargazer lifts joyously over the swell, leaning to a jolie brise (F4). Our winter, confined to the berth, a forgotten memory bobbing in her boiling wake.
The breeze fills in to 25 knots off Swanage, sending white horses scampering across the bay.
I tuck in two reefs under the lee of Anvil Point.
Astern the chain ferry bustles to and fro - arms stretched before it like a busy water beetle.
Clear of Anvil Point, Stargazer swoops over a heaving seascape studded with whitecaps and shrouded by wind driven spray. St Albans Head crouches on the horizon, hazed by the salt laden air.
The Channel ferry rumbles by, inbound from Cherbourg. A reminder for me to turn Stargazer's bows homeward.
We beat in towards the familiar tawny, green capped headland, hard on the wind.
Anvil light welcomes us back. Stargazer surfs past it's feet riding wind driven waves.
We round Old Harry and short tack deep into Studland Bay.
Under the tall wooded cliffs, the roar of the wind and the rush of the water quietens.
Off the beach I bring Stargazer head to wind. She glides to a halt. I drop her main and let go the anchor. Our season has begun.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Ferry Road,,United Kingdom
