A mackerel dawn, flaming fish scales in the sky, tells of a fair southerly breeze for the day. Before a change in direction, to the east, from tomorrow.
Stargazer leaves Sovereign harbour on the morning tide. For, by rounding Dungeness today, the expected run of easterlies will become favourable for her homeward journey.
The Pevensey Bay shoreline emerges from night's shadow. Gradually gaining colour and form.
Stargazer's skipper now able to see sufficiently to set about accurately adjusting sail trim.
Stargazer canters over a low swell. Fiery mauves and oranges give way to crystal blue, in the palette of the sky.
Soon, we are upon the mighty shingle spur of Dungeness. Which juts far out into the deep waters of the English Channel. Sending its tidal stream spinning off in whorls and eddies.
Hastening Stargazer's progress. The low shores of Rye Bay are swiftly replaced with towering chalk cliffs.
Ahead lies the South Foreland. With the port of Dover crouching, dwarfed, at its feet. Ferries bustle to and fro, under the laconic direction of Dover VTS (Vessel Traffic Service). Who must co ordinate the multitude of commercial and leisure movements.
A Stargazer sized gap is found. We sweep in through the western entrance. Diving for the opening, before an eager tide can sweep us past. As if alighting from a moving train (in the days before driver controlled door locks).
No comments:
Post a Comment