Stargazer arrives early for an annual reunion with Liz. As we affectionately know the Liz Ven west cardinal buoy. Waiting, demurely, off the Ile Vierge reefs, chaperoned by a lofty lighthouse.
It is Liz's lot to bob in the omnipresent swell. Whatever the weather. Alerting passage-making sailors that it is safe to turn the northern corner of Finistere. (Liz is stationed near 'A,' on yesterday's chart).
This morning, Stargazer left Roscoff, as the fishing fleet returned home with their catch.
Hoisted her cruising chute, once clear of the hazards of Ile de Batz. Ten knots of northerly breeze on her quarter. The west going tide begining to run.
Her lunch date with Liz swiftly becomes a mid morning coffee break. Stargazer turns her bows south, with two hours of beneficial tide before her. The breeze now, obligingly, in the north west. Eager to press on, whilst circumstances suit.
To the feet of the Le Four light. Where we loiter for a while. With three hours of foul tide to fight. The breeze assisting, as best it can, by backing further west. To give a faster angle.
Stargazer tip toes, at two knots, to the top of the Chenal du Four. Heading inshore, toward green fields and golden beaches (far left of picture). To dodge the worst of the fierce north going flow.
By tea time the tide is turning.
Soon speeding Stargazer on her way south once more. Sweeping us past Le Conquet.
Such is the scenic reward, Stargazer holds to her shore hugging course. Which also shortens our turn, into the Anse de Brest, beneath Pointe Saint Mathieu.
We sweep past the gallery of wave sculpted stacks, arches and pinnacles in the Toulinguet Gap. To secure in Camaret. One step away, from the Kingdom of Summer, which lies to the south of the Raz de Sein.
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