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.
July 27th, 2018
Naval Academy
A must when in Annapolis is a visit to the Naval Academy which was fantastic. I just couldn't get over the scale of it with 4,000 cadets passing through at any given time. Particularly poignant was the memorial Hall which pays tribute to Cadets that has fallen in the line of duty. There are a lot of them and they must never be forgotten so do have a great day out but also spend a quite moment in this stunning tribute.
July 21st, 2018
Breakfast
There is nothing like an American Diner for breakfast
July 21st, 2018
Boston
How about this for a view from an office window - gave me an opportunity to get a Birdseye view of our approach top Boston.
July 21st, 2018
Hi
It took an email from Larry Landau to highlight the fact that I haven't done a blog for three weeks. Blimey, where did that time go.
Time flies when you are busy and we have been very busy. The week of our UK departure saw us traveling all over the country with my work. I then had to go to Boston for a few days and have to say it's a lovely place and we look forward to returning by sea.
We arrived back to 'Pearl' in Deale and in no time had her back on the water where we cracked on with a load of jobs. Engine service, victualling, sorting the fridge, getting mosquito nets and sun shade made etc.
In the middle of this we took a weekend out to sail across to St Michaels which is across the other side of the bay and has a lovely anchorage. It was so good to get away and have some quiet time to settle back in. In the last couple of months we have flown right round the world and it was a joy to be traveling at six knots with the wind in our hair.
Once on top of the jobs we moved to Annapolis for a few days as we waited for a part from Volvo to cover a recall on our engine. It's a lovely place with lots going on including the naval cadets doing their morning exercise at 06.00hrs. There are thousands of them and they are very vocal so it sounds like a football stadium on steroids. The first morning there I leapt out of bed thinking we were under attack!
It turns out that the Volvo part won't be fitted until Tuesday so we motored across to Swan Creek to get away from the madness and it's a stunning anchorage full of wildlife. The brackish water and heat makes for nature on steroids so a cuppa in the cockpit most entertaining.
June 29th, 2018
A green and plentiful land
June 29th, 2018
Dorset
We also had a lovely trip with Traceys Dad to Dorchester where Dorset did us proud. You cant beat a ploughman's lunch in a pub garden on a sunny Sunday
