Back on the ICW to Norfolk VA

Hi there F. & F,

Much debate went on as to where we would spend tonight.In the end the weather forecast with pending storm and high winds decided for us and we thought we would go as far as we could.I had originally fancied Atlantic Yacht Basin in Great Bridge VA  (just before the lock and a series of bridges ), 

We got up this morning with a most beautiful day of sunshine,no clouds and thankfully no wind.I can't think when we last had a day with no wind! Decided to enjoy just a little more of the town so had breakfast omelettes overlooking the docks at Poor Richard's sandwich shop.It is the place where we ate  lunch yesterday. Then went for a walk to investigate the festival park and walking trails. As we had a long trip ahead we left at 9.30 am .The  Pamlico Sound proved to be a much better story than yesterday.It was smooth and we zipped along to join the ICW. Very pleasant conditions and as we neared Coinjock,NC  I thought to check the status of the VA Gilmerton Bridge. Its the last low bridge before Norfolk and had not been replaced when we headed down back Dec 2012.I then found out the Great Bridge lock was shut due to an electrical problem.Maybe we would get to stop at Atlantic Yacht Basin after all! At 2 pm we heard the lock was up and running again so we carried on ( turns out the Atlantic YB was almost full anyway,as other boaters had been caught there with the lock closing issue. While waiting for the lock opening we saw a couple we had met in Long Boat Key Marina, and caught up with their boating news. The lock and bridges from here are crazy with their opening times and it takes patience and planning not to end up waiting for long periods in between. The dreaded low Gilmerton bridge  has now been replaces by a 35 ft one so as we got through the last 4 pm closing for the previous bridge  ( doesnt open again til 6.30 pm) we felt relieved. but the irony was, the rail bridge just in front of the Gilmerton bridge was down and we waited a half hour for it to open up ! you just can't win!

Got into Waterside Marina in Norfolk.We stayed here last year and had a good experience.Nice young helpful staff and the floating docks are very easy .

After 8 hours on the go , we were really for a night inside,so cooked on board. Good to be back in familiar territory!

Over and Out 

E n G

A visit to Manteo on Roanoke Island

Hi there F & F

Well after much debate we decided to try to make for Manteo a quaint little town in North Carolina we had a lot read about.This would take us not on the ICW , but up the Pamlico Sound and then the Roanoke Sound. We knew it was quite a hike, but why not! We got up at 6 am so we could get the bridge opening just north of Beaufort Docks. Our boat was a foot too tall to go under it and we would have to wait an hour and half if we didnt do this bridge opening. As it turned out the fishing boats didnt leave at 4 am as the wind had really got up and waves in the ocean were in the 8 ft category. They would play wait and see with the conditions today. I should clarify something,  these boats are called sports fishing boats .Most have no outside railing on the decks and at least two and usually three stories high.They tend to ride high in the bow of the boat.

Bit of boat traffic following and then overtaking us, 4 sports fishing  boats, and two large power yachts.Seems we were all heading in a similar direction.No ICW for us! Once we got out on the Pamlico Sound it was fairly breezy, following seas and we clipped along at about 20 to 22 knots.The other boats tended to travel faster.I would hate to have their fuel bills!!When we arrived at the southern end of the Roanoke Island we turned right to head up the Roanoke Sound.The other way is to head straight north into the Croatan Sound which offers deeper water ,but you have to backtrack to get to Manteo.

As it turns out the channel we used was quite narrow and there were places where depth was somewhat hairy .

Our depth finder registered barely 3 ft of water a few times ,but miraculously we didnt run aground at all. Anyway the trip was worth it and as we arrived the winds died down and we were met  by the  local dock master Carl who had fitted us in on a face dock .We got to share it with a Grand Banks power boat.A big boat club had come in a few days ago so the place was fairly full. 

As we hadn't eaten for 51/2 hours , we took ourselves off to the local sandwich shop for a very good grilled sandwich. Then off to explore the little town which seems to have everything, particularly if you are in the mood for buying in clothing, pottery, art, etc.

There is some history attached to this place as the English tried to settle here and start a colony under Elizabeth II in 1500's.Sir Walter Raleigh tried to help establish  the new settlers.He even brought back two Indians to England, Wanchese and Mateo, so he could learn more of the Native Americans character. Talk of a lost colony a few years later , possibly due to some hostile issues with the Native Americans. Anyway there is a play out on nightly here at an open air theatre , telling the story .There is also the Elizabeth II replica sitting opposite us here at the harbor.It is a copy of was one of Raleigh's seven vessels in his fleet. So quite an interesting  little place!

We had to sample the local icecream later on in the afternoon,then cooked dinner on board in the evening.Save going to see the play for another time. Have to have a reason to revisit here.

Over and Out,

E n G

Another outside trip to Beaufort NC

Hi there F & F

We had an early 8 am start.It is important to check low and high tides both going out and entering Inlets so we try to time them to our advantage as best as we can. Low tide being the most tricky naturally! We started up the ICW to the Masonboro Inlet near Wrightsville Beach.The dock master pointed out that it would be about a thirty mile trip out back through the inlet we came in on , so was logical to go up a little before venturing outside in the ocean.In fact looking back in my diary ,I saw we had done that coming from the north before. pleasant 1and 1/2 hour trip up the ICW At least we had some things to look at, and frequently passed boats with "Oh what a beautiful boat" either on the VHF  or verbally.Good advertising for Sabre! As we exited out into the ocean a couple of big waves came over us and right through the side cabin door.We hastily shut the door and the overhead hatches.You always have to be prepared for surprises when going out on water! This time we were not so fortunate and had quite lumpy seas although SW again , the winds had got up. It was a four hours of moving in all directions.Not much fun , but we had made the commitment and there really isn't much opportunity at all to go back inside before you reach Beaufort Inlet. Getting to the point where this is boring, can't read , making lunch and moving about the boat is a challenge, and nothing to see except sea! Towards the end there were lots of whitecaps indicating the wind had indeed got up. But we did ok.

 As we came into the Beaufort Docks marina , we were told there was a week long fishing boat competition in the area.Indeed as we docked , we heard we were going to be surrounded by big fishing vessels. The dock master told us there as a good chance we would  be woken at 4 am ,as they would be heading out to fish the next day at that time! Great for an early start!

We checked in , received our disks for a free drink at their bar( many of these marinas like to offer a little incentive ) and the use of a courtesy car.Decided to check out the local Piggly Wiggly supermarket

and get some fresh produce. We still had plenty of dry goods and a freezer with meats and frozen veg, left over from our Bahama trip. Meantime the fishermen had all returned in their luxury fishing boats.

 I was fascinated watching as they spent a good hour cleaning their boats and fishing gear meticulously .I asked one of them , so do you do this kind of cleaning in the house ? Bigs laughs from that question.Apparently , some guy had caught a 400  lb marlin,but had to release it.The going prize had to be a 500 lb marlin.Prize money for that would be $225,000 .00 .When they catch a marlin they can fly a flag with the marlin symbol.If they release it, the flag is flown upside down.

Later in the evening we walked round to the Blue Moon , a lovely restaurant Rhonda and John had introduced us to. Had a very pleasant meal.Graeme scored with a scallop appetizer and Tuna fish entree. We decided on an early night as we had a long day ahead of us tomorrow and a potential early wake up call!

Over and Out, 

E n G

Day 6 of our Homeward journey

Hi there F & F,

Well, we are sure moving along the SE coast! .This time to Southport which offers the Cape Fear Inlet used by large container vessels going up to Willington. We had stay here back in November 2011 when we came down with Rhonda and John. Remembered it as a quaint little town with a nice marina with tiled and wooden floating docks. We were very impressed!There was a bit of a swell in the ocean but not too bad and good SW winds which fortunately were light..Very little boat traffic and after 61/2 hours we tied up on a face dock. Our friendly staff met us and we purchases some of their local peanuts and a free USA Today newspaper.We went for a walk (our only exercise these days) and explored the town.Apart from the lovely old sea captains cottages there is one main street. Restaurants didnt look that great.We had a cold beer at one overlooking the ICW and decided to cook our own dinner on board.

Over and Out,

E n G

Another long journey in the ocean to Charleston

Hi F and F

Onwards and upwards we go.We do need to be on the North Carolina and Virginia border by 14 th June.Think that shouldn't be a problem but you never know when weather comes into play with water!

Left nice and early at 7 am and headed out to the ocean.These inlets can be quite a journey out to the open sea.This took a 1/2 hour and then we headed north with a swell of 2 to 3 feet but a SW wind following again. We decided to do something we have never done before, turn on the TV and watch the French  Open Tennis Women's final and the Men's double final. Well we took turns as the person on the wheel needed to keep alert. it worked well and a nice clear picture !

We arrived into Charleston , 8 1/2 hours later and secured the boat at our Sabre friend Craig's marina.

We had thought of going out to eat at my favorite restaurant FIG but in the end decided to eat on board as we were pretty tired and getting into the town is a bit of a pain from here.

Over and Out, 

E and G

Time to move on again

Hi F & F

Well we are so vested now in the French Open tennis we decided to stay on til noon to watch the men's quarter final on our TV. Then off back it to see if the  ocean had calmed down after the storm.Indeed it had and with favorable following winds SW we set off for Fernandina Beach.

Good running and we arrived at 3.30 pm. We set off to try to find a new stern line as the one we had used to secure the boat during the storm , had rubbed so much against the dinghy lift it was holding on by a thread. Good thing it had broken during the night!

We also wandered the town of this quaint place , one of our favorites in Florida in fact the whole East Coast! Also it has one of Graeme 's favorite restaurants, Espana. Their fish stew is the best and he bought enough to take back to the boat and freeze for a later date.

We decided to have an icecream and check out the stores and sights.It was a special balmy evening with shops open late and a band playing between 6 and 8 pm .Very relaxing.

Later , we went back for a late 8. 30 pm dinner reservation and it was great.People were still coming in to eat at 9.45 pm. A popular place.

Over and Out,

E n G

Tropical Storm Andrea

Hi F & F

Well, the storm did arrive .In fact we had had a noisy night with the slapping on the hull.We decided to stay an extra night here and changed to a quieter and calmer slip.Then we double secured the lines as the rains came down and the wind blew.Spent most of the day inside , thankfully got to see much of the French Open tennis games being played. I made a walk of about 2 miles up to the Winn Dixie supermarket when there was a lull in the storm. Much needed muchies to go with all the TV watching!

Graeme cooked a very nice Gnocchi dinner and we kept informed of the storm movements throughout the evening via the TV and Graeme 's radar I Phone  app. It was due to taper off during the late hours , so we just went off to bed.

Over and Out, 

E n G

Day two of homeward bound journey

HI F & F

Fort Pierce has a great inlet , so we were able to head out into the ocean. The seas were near perfect as we could hope for.A SE wind and 1 to 2 ft seas. We decided to ,take advantage of this and instead of stopping at the original place Cape Canaveral , we kept going and arrived in St Augustine around 5.30 pm. A full 8 1/2 hour journey going around  20 to 22 knots. The beauty of being able to go faster. Also, we were very mindful of the tropical storm forming down in the Gulf of Mexico, and wanted to get as far north as we could with the weather about to close in.

Pretty tired once we docked, so it was dinner on board and an early night to bed!

Over and Out, 

E n G

Homeward bound after 6 months away

Hi F & F

Well I wasn't going to keep going with the blog but I guess some of you are wanting to know about the return to Chesapeake Bay journey. Not as exciting as the Bahamas perhaps!

We ended up sitting in Palm Beach Gardens for a week as we waited for the Garmin magnetron radar component to arrive and be installed.What can we say , the schedules of the boating repair people don't match those of the boat owners!Roger and Linda very kindly lent us one of their cars so we were able to get out and about. The  Soverel Marina is great if you ever need a place to stay with the convenient Carmine's up scale supermarket and Italian restaurant right next door. And Seminole Boat Yard ( where we had our pod repairs done pre Bahamas) is next door in the other direction.We had ordered a new coverlet to be made for our bed at Seminole and were able to pick it up while we were there. Finally on Tuesday 4 th June the radar magnetron was installed and we were ready to go around noon.Decided to leave and head up the ICW and get as far as Fort Pierce. We stayed at a very nice marina there. Harbortown  Marina.Many people choose this  as their return port after the Bahamas. Nice friendly  and helpful dock hands and a fun tiki bar and restaurant. We had a well deserved drink at the bar then I cooked up a shepherds pie for dinner.

Over and Out

E n G