Ad Lib 171

By mid afternoon Stargazer has secured, beneath the lighthouse, in Ramsgate harbour. After a short but sweet passage. Which positions her to play the tides of the London River.

 "Follow that ferry." Is the gist of Dover VTS's instruction, as we depart. Caveated by a caution to stay well north, in order to clear a rapidly approaching inbound vessel.

As soon as Stargazer has complied, her skipper switches off the engine. Safe in the knowledge that the tide has turned north-going and the breeze, although light, is forecast to fill in from the south.

The face of the South Foreland is sheer. Making it safe to stand close in. With due allowance for fallen boulders on the sea bed.

St Margarets at Cliffe slides by, at five knots. Its houses nestled in a break in the glowing white chalk buttress. 

The tide is running hard now. As eager as Stargazer to turn the corner at Hope Point.

From where an offing is required. Families out for a Sunday stroll skim stones, from Deal's pebble beach. Which shelves gently out toward the Goodwin Sands.

The Ramsgate race fleet beat by. Fighting two or three knots of tide. Stargazer lopes northward making an effortless six knots, with its assistance.

Stepping off the tidal escalator, into a warm weekend welcome from Ramsgate Royal Harbour.