Ad Lib 85

Stargazer's plan for the day (see Ad Lib 84) swiftly unravels. Before she leaves the dock in L'Herbaudiere.

 Her skipper has failed to factor in the annual Vendee Ports' rally. The fleet are on the Ile d'Yeu today. They will be making for L'Herbaudiere tomorrow. Before attending a prize giving, in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the day after.

Port Joinville, on the Ile d'Yeu (pictured during the 2024 event) is therefore closed to new arrivals today. Whilst Saint-Gilles is clearing its berths, in anticipation of the rally, and will not accept arrivals either. In turn, L'Herbaudiere has served notice on all visitors, to leave by eight o'clock tomorrow morning. In readiness for the rally.

Stargazer's best solution seems to be to stay put, in L'Herbaudiere, for today. Before swapping ports with the rally tomorrow. Remaining, on Yeu, until the fleet has dispersed to its home ports. Not for nothing is this styled as our Ad Lib cruise!

Yesterday evening's chance quayside conversation, which revealed this local knowledge, contained a second cruise enhancing nugget. Later confirmed, by Stargazer's skipper, through a low-tide reconnaissance from the beach.

Namely the existence of the Chenal de la Grise, which cuts the corner between the lighthouse and the main island of Noirmoutier. Thus saving a ten mile detour around the perimeter of its outer reefs. An option which Stargazer hopes to explore at high tide tomorrow morning.