August 8th, 2018
A Fair Wind
Thirty hours at sea saw us anchoring in Martha's Vineyard. We were originally heading for Block Island but such good speed was made that we pushed on. I'm not sure why but Martha's Vineyard just didn't do it for us so the next morning we grabbed a fair wind and had a romping sail to Nantucket. These spontaneous decisions seem to be a bit of theme and they are based on intuition. We just knew that Nantucket was the place to be so why delay.
August 8th, 2018
Ocean
On clearing Delaware River we stopped in Cape May for the night and had a business breakfast which turned into a really nice experience. From there we sailed down to Atlantic city arriving at dusk. We didn't get ashore and left early for Barnaget where we had an early night and readied ourselves for an overnight sail to Block island. The next day we left at dawn and motored out into the Atlantic until the wind filled in from the beam. I just can't tell you how nice it was to be out on an ocean again. Clear water, big lungful's of ocean air and unending space. We needed it and this picture of Tracey captures the mood as we shared the ocean with Dolphin, a huge turtle and proper sea birds soaring across the waves.
August 8th, 2018
Canal
The Chesapeake/Delaware canal proved to be a doddle as we had a three-knot current running. It saves 300NM and is really impressive. This is the rail bridge which drops down if a train comes giving marine traffic priority!!
August 8th, 2018
Thunder Storms
There is nothing like a thunder storm in Chesapeake - this picture was taken at the anchorage in Chesapeake City (see blog after last). They arrive with little warning, the rain is phenomenal and the lightning quite disturbing as it lands all about. Not much fun when you are in a metal boat with a 65ft lightening rod!!
August 8th, 2018
Nantucket
I really didn't expect to be walking on Cornish stone this side of the Atlantic, I fancy I have though. Nantucket is made up of sand but the streets are cobbled with rock bought here as ballast and it's a very familiar looking granite. I'm sure it has come from all over the world but when you think of Cornwall's seafaring heritage and the fishing that we did hereabouts it's an assumption made with some certainty.
The Whaling Museum is a must and on perusing some of the old crew lists there are a number of Cornishmen dotted about. Tough men no doubt for the whaling ships would put to sea and not return for up to seven years as they hunted far and wide. With the men at sea the woman ran the Island and commerce with great success as they opened up global markets.
The whale men made good money but the real profit was at the end of the line where the candle makers cleaned up. One factory, and it's not a big premises, making nine million profit in a year. The whales were hunted all over the world and the candles in turn were exported far and wide.
On a smaller scale, you will see the blog has made a brave jump from Chesapeake City to Nantucket with nothing in-between. I feel it needs an apology for there isn't an excuse except that we have been fully occupied and I just didn't realize how much a of a gap had developed.
I'm actually writing this in Cuttyhunk after a stunning sail to get here. It's a lovely spot which reminds us of the Scillies for its beauty and ability to put one at ease. We have decided to leave the anchor down for a few days to catch up and draw breath.
In that time I shall pop some pictures up to fill in the gaps for its been a good time.
July 27th, 2018
Chesapeake City - dropped the anchor in their tiny basin just in time for sundowners!!
July 27th, 2018
You wouldnt want to hit this
July 27th, 2018
The gadget to cover the Volvo recall has arrived, been fitted and finally released us from Annapolis. I can't speak highly enough of Karl who did the job and is one of a kind. Experienced, professional and great company, particularly as an ex-serviceman with that special brand of humour and attitude that time on the front-line hones.
The part might have released us but an urgent email from Garcia Yachts held us back. Chris de Veyrac owner of the Garcia 45 'Eplo' is about to head for the Antarctic and suppliers have let the side down on delivery of a backup fixed prop, could we send ours. Of course, we won't be hitting the ice for a while but it's a big old lump to cart about looking for a Fedex office.
Enter stage left the Dock master at Bert Jabins Yard, Keith. A bigger heart and character would be hard to find and his truck measures up too. As big as a bus with 6.7 growling litres of gas guzzling power and a magnificent steed it is too. Keith gave a tour of the area and stories of his youth when it was still backcountry with horses, farms and lots of space. He can remember when the huge Bert Jabins yard was just a small jetty that could take two vessels. Bert dragged it up by the boot straps.
Keith had stories from present multi-millionaires and their huge developments the size of hotels through to galloping off the end of jetty's on his horse as a boy, only to be dragged back holding onto its tail. There are a lot of characters around here and Keith gave us an entertaining glimpse into the real world that the gloss of Annapolis sits upon. Lovely, genuine people and we look forward to buying Keith a beer on our return.
It was with soaring spirits that we shook off the shackles of job lists and started the next chapter of our adventure as we motored into a hot humid and sultry day. The anchor was eventually dropped as the sun set. We had made into the canal that joins Chesapeake and Delaware Bay. The last couple of hours kept us on our toes as we dodged a mass of semi submerged logs carried down by the last few days of rain. We had to stand on the bow and steer using the autopilot remote.
It's all about the tide here and we found ourselves sucked into the neck of the canal and shot like a pee in a shooter down this amazing piece of engineering. Chesapeake City lies a third of the way down the canal where a large layby has been dredged and that's where the anchor disappeared, the sun leaving us with a satisfied cold one to toast the afterglow of another day.
