Cawsand Bay, on a summer's Friday afternoon. Local boats, starting the weekend early, mingle with cruising boats on passage. There is room enough for all.
Stargazer has reeled off forty five effortless nautical miles, through the day. Running, goose-winged, in fifteen, rising to twenty, knots of apparent wind.
See also, "sailing with a flowing sheet."
See also, "champagne sailing."
By the time that Rame Head emerges, from the afternoon heat haze, . . . .
. . . .Stargazer has caught and passed a Moody, five feet longer than herself. This day is approaching passage-making perfection!
Surf is rolling into the mouth of Plymouth Sound. I gybe the mainsail over, leave the spinnaker pole in place (not relishing a trip onto the foredeck, in the conditions) and furl the jib. We reach in fast, past Penlee Point. Stargazer hardens up, in twenty five knots apparent, momentarily laid over by the full mainsail. Then we are in under the lee of Rame Head, in Cawsand Bay.
Stargazer's mainsail hangs loose. Her motion stills. The Joyful shrieks, of children, drift over from the beach. We sound in close and drop anchor.
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