Sunrise off the western tip of the Crozon.
Stargazer reaches sedately south. Shaving Les Tas de Pois close, to save the need to gybe offshore. Where a foul tide still runs.
The Toulinguet gap is astern. Taken in the dawn twilight. Deliberately so, for my peace of mind.
The sun climbs higher. Stunning the breeze, as is often the way. Stargazer broad reaches, toward the Raz de Seine, under cruising chute in eight to ten knots true.
The turret topped La Veille tower is visible, as a silhouette on the skyline, five miles or more out. Drawing ever closer. Stargazer sweeps by, as the tide turns in our favour, making eight knots over the ground.
The notorious Raz is in as benign a mood as I have seen it. Next to no swell. Just the suck and seethe, of its fast flowing currents visible, as a slipstream on the surface.
The sea breeze arrives for elevenses. Stargazer streaks across the Baie d'Audierne, spray blowing back from her bow wave. Sixteen to eighteen knots on the beam.
By mid afternoon, Stargazer has rounded the tip of Penmarc'h. Gateway to Biscay. Where gulls bob amongst the white horses. And four dolphins torpedo by. Circling us once, leaping high. Slick muscular bodies glittering black in the sunshine.
The breeze rises some more. Stargazer is hard on the wind. Beating in twenty five knots apparent. Two reefs in the main. Fighting her way into the eye of the wind. Dodging through the rocky outcrops, inshore of the Ile de Glenans.
Into a thronged Concarneau. Where the wind funnels around the fortifications (which I had expected to provide a lee). Gusting to twenty five knots. I make an abortive pass at the sole empty berth. But Stargazer is blown off the finger, before I can step ashore to secure her. "Un Coup de main, s'il vous plait," I call (trying out a new phrase, which I had heard: 'Please give me a hand'). Three crew run around from Sitara (bound for Boulogne. Held up by the northerly winds). They seize Stargazer's bow, midships and stern lines, in unison. Securing Stargazer safely to the dock.
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