RAZ DE SEIN TO POOLE
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Tue 22 Jul 2014 13:24
Monday 21 July. As the fair tide swept us through Le Four channel under power on Sunday morning, it was time for a decision: put into L’Aberwrac’h for a meal that evening, and subsequent departure on the fair tide on 20th? Or press on today, to take advantage of the 24hrs of favourable winds forecast - prior to calms and north easterlies establishing themselves in the Channel? Again the Adams pluck was to the fore; after due debate, we accordingly set course in the direction of Poole.
Once again the wind gods seemed to have read the forecast; by midday a gentle westerly began to fill in, allowing us to stow the iron topsail and reach under asymmetric and main in perfect conditions (phot). With the new crew keeping a sharp look out (phots) and a W2 now holding firm, the company of a pod of dolphins playing around the bow for some 15 minutes (phots) was deemed some compensation for that missed meal ashore.
Progress towards the shipping lanes was excellent, enabling us to cross both east and west going lanes before dark. The night itself was one of those all too rare in the Channel: ships 5 miles to starboard all behaving themselves in their lanes; a perfect strength wind on the beam; a calm sea; excellent visibility; and the whole of the firmament, complete with its resplendent Milky Way displayed above us. Not a rain squall for even a cloud for the whole night – extraordinary, in the true sense of the word!
Dawn on Monday saw us approaching Portland; with the wind holding and the sun shining, the miles rolled easily by hour after hour in perfect conditions. So easily indeed that before teatime we were secured alongside the PYC wall, with all gear off-loaded even before the shore support team arrived.
So a perfect end to a wonderful two month trip – hurrah for retirement! I’ll see if I can publish a few stats in the next few days.
