At 0600 this morning, with the first light catching the towers of La Rochelle’s old harbour, we cast off Melody’s dock lines for the last time. Port des Minimes has been home for the past week — provisioning, checking systems, waiting for our weather window.

The Weather Window

The Biscay High has settled in beautifully. Our GRIB files show 48 hours of light northwesterlies — 10 to 15 knots — with seas under 1.5 metres. For a 350-nautical-mile crossing, this is about as good as it gets.

Systems Check

Before departure, we ran through the full checklist:

  • Navigation: Chartplotter updated, paper charts aboard, AIS transmitting
  • Safety: Life raft inspected, jacklines rigged, MOB gear ready
  • Comms: VHF tested, satellite phone charged, PredictWind tracker active
  • Mechanical: Both engines serviced, watermaker tested, autopilot calibrated

First Hours

Clearing Île de Ré, the Atlantic opened up before us. Melody’s twin bows cut cleanly through the gentle swell. We settled into our watch system — four hours on, four hours off — and set course 215° for A Coruña.

The Elba 45 is in her element. Under reefed main and genoa, we’re making a comfortable 7.5 knots with the wind on the beam. The motion is remarkably stable — the catamaran barely heels beyond 5 degrees.

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” — Jacques Cousteau

By sunset, the French coast had disappeared astern. Ahead: 60 hours of open ocean, the shipping lanes of Biscay, and the granite shores of Galicia.

What’s Next

We expect to raise the Tower of Hercules — the world’s oldest working Roman lighthouse — sometime on the morning of July 17th. Until then, it’s watches, stars, and the endless rhythm of the Atlantic.

Position at sunset: 45°42’N, 002°15’W — 48 nm from La Rochelle