November 13th, 2019
COLD DAY
Once the snow had blown through the skies cleared to plummeting temperatures and create a freezing cold morning. Our destination was Gary and Gretas marina in Norfolk so we topped up with hot tea and toast before wrapping up for what turned out to be a nice trip. That said hoisting the main was a bit of a shock for rain had pooled in the sail, frozen and then proceeded to drop on us from a fair old height.
November 12th, 2019
SNOW
I know I have said this before but I just cant get over how volatile the weather is about here. Yesterday we had a picnic in the sun in t-shirts and today its bitter with snow.
November 12th, 2019
SQUIRREL
Squirrel are scampering about topping up their stash - winter is a coming.
November 12th, 2019
ROTISSERIE
I was taken by this ingenious rotisserie that is powered by weights
November 12th, 2019
Capitol Building
We loved the Capitol building which is where the colony thrashed out any issues with the Crown. The building on the right housed 120 Burgesses (think county leaders) representing the people. Here they proposed and thrashed out new legislation which was then walked across to the left hand building where twelve Royal Council gave the Crowns approval or requested changes. If a complete impasse was reached the big conference room spanning the two building on the upper floor was put to use. In were locked five Burgesess and three Royal Council and they were not allowed out until an agreement was reached. The record was two full weeks with food and potty changes done under guard. One wonders if this magnificently simple approach might not have put to use in resolving Brexit. It would have probably taken two weeks to choose the sandwiches but in the end would have to been quicker.....wouldnt it?
November 12th, 2019
CARPENTRY
One of the things that I miss terribly at sea is not being able to pop into the workshop and make something. As such it was a joy to visit a working joinery shop and smell the wood shavings. This carpenter is coming to the end of a four year apprenticeship and will either stay working full time maintaining the museum from making period furniture to building repair or move on to itinerant restoration work. He says there is plenty of opportunities out there. I'm quite envious.
November 12th, 2019
CANON
Veterans Day brings the cannon out.
November 12th, 2019
Governors Palace
A long days motoring saw us drop the anchor in Sarahs Creek just as the sun bowed out for the day. Sarahs creek was chosen for it seemed the best placed anchorage from which to explore historic Williamsburg. It's a lovely safe anchorage and good old Uber dropped us off in a bustling town seemingly full of market stalls. By chance we had arrived on Veterans day.
Brunch and a walk around the stalls preceded one of our best historical experiences. The old city has been preserved from the palace down to the most humble of abodes. A full time staff provide an interesting living history experience. There is a working joiner, wig maker, candle maker, forge, garden and much more. Horse and cart trundle past and many of the buildings have guided tours.
The Governors Palace of Virginia embodies the power and wealth of the largest state in America. It all started with a recce by Sir Walter Raleigh whose report of abundance launched the Virginia Company.
Those who were sent out to tame this land found it a tough challenge on many fronts but persistence won out to eventually create this great nation of today.
