Dream Weaver Cruise - update 4

24.5.15 Havelet Bay, Guernsey
( Delayed posting - No data signal)





The morning sun eagerly unwraps the jewel island of Sark from its cotton wool shroud of sea mist. Cats paws of breeze pad across a still sea, fluttering ensigns and sending Sunday dinghies scampering. Church bells sing out over the stillness of our bay.




I'm rested now. Ready to catch Monday morning's tide South to Brittany. We're promised a passage making N5. Ile de Brehat beckons.

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Dream Weaver Cruise - update 3

23.5.15 Havelet Bay, Guernsey
( Delayed posting - no data signal)





Stargazer ekes out the last of the dying breeze to anchor in the lee of Castle Cornet, in the wan light of dawn, 18 hours out of Poole. Out in the Little Russell channel a towering cruise liner silently follows suit.




The sun climbs higher, glinting off the ornate rooftops of St Peter Port and turning the waters of the bay a deep shade of holiday blue

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Dream Weaver Cruise - update 2

22.5. 15 Poole Bay







The morning drizzle lifts as we clear the bridges and motor past the Quay.







Under way - hoping to be in Guernsey before the wind disappears for the weekend!


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Dream Weaver Cruise - Update 1

21.5.15 Poole Harbour




I head into the supermarket on the way home from work and pick up provisions.




Stargazer lies waiting on her berth, eager to cleave the waves once more.




A perfect W 4-5 is forecast for Friday, going light by Saturday afternoon. Plan A is to sleep off the working week tonight; eat a hearty brunch; catch the ebb down harbour; be off Anvil for High Water Dover at 15.00 Friday; ride the breeze across the Channel; catch the turn of the tide off the Casqets at 03.10 Saturday; and arrive in St Peter Port around 07.00.
Let the Dream Weaver Cruise commence!

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Location:Woodlands Avenue,Poole,United Kingdom

Easter Bonnet

Easter Sunday, South Deep




A Shelduck peers down at Stargazer from the old sea wall.




The Newtown seal continues his vigil on the mudbank, behind two walrus tusk stakes.




We weigh anchor and let the tide carry us seaward. A rowing boat overhauls us as our sails hang limp in the still air.




A zephyr bellies our sails and in an instant fills to a SW sea breeze. Stargazer heels momentarily then gathers pace toward the Keyhaven light.




We romp past, a biscuit toss off the tawny spit topped by well muffled Sunday walkers.




I pull on my Easter Bonnet to warm my ears, as the wind sings and dances across the deck. Stargazer shoulders her way homeward.




A South Deep cormorant spreads welcoming arms.




We drop anchor under the lee of the uncovering sand spit from which it beckons.




Easter treats await below in a snug cabin.

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Location:Poole,United Kingdom

Easter Glimpses

4.4.15: Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight




There's a glimpse of dawn sun as Stargazer spreads her wings and flies down harbour. The Easter holiday.....




...and an unbroken horizon before her. A NE 4/5 gusts off the land to speed us on our way.




A shaft of sunlight picks out the square church tower as Stargazer skims Hengistbury Head - the tide making beneath her.




The breeze builds to 25 knots. Stargazer hardens up, double reefed now, and swoops down the Solent into the embrace of Newtown Creek's gravel spit arms.




I hoist the spray hood and brunch on toasted Hot Crossed buns....




...watched by a black headed gull..



....and the ever vigilant Newtown Creek seal.



A glimpse of sunshine washes over the wooded spit which quiets the wind and smooths the waters of our anchorage. A melody of birdsong blends with the tuneful lap of tide on shore.

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Location:Newport,United Kingdom

Spring Spell

A Cossack NE wind, cold and merciless gallops across the harbour at 20 to 25 knots. Stargazer lies bareheaded and freshly antifouled. Her topsides are burnished and a new anchor chain graces the foredeck. But her sails are stowed below.




In search of a sail hoisting lee, we motor past Brownsea Castle and nose in behind the jetty at Goathorn. The wind stills and the water flattens.




We anchor and bend on our sails behind Furzey Island whilst a fisherman drudging for shellfish slowly circles us.




Trees, freshly in bud, rustle with a silvery song above opaline waters basking in the new found warmth of the sun.




Bleak winter is banished as Spring casts her spell. Stargazer strains at her anchor eager to roam the summer seas once more.

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