Hi F and F,
The two skippers consulted with each other early morning, checking routes and weather conditions and made a decision we should leave early as the marine forecast said wind was going to be at least 15 knots possibly gusting up to 25 knots.A knot equalls 1.15 MPH .and we had a reasonable amount of open water to cover.
Around 9 am was the target time to leave. So I decided to quickly go for a walk to investigate the town of Block Island .It turned out to be about a two mile walk.Its good to get this opportunity as living on a boat means you don't get much exercise . Graeme and I have made a point of doing our Pilates at least two to three times a week on the boat .Its quite a performance as we are limited for space .Graeme uses the galley and I go up in the salon.
So back to the walk, it was wonderful, lots of little stores and quaint homes lined the main road. A group were setting up a farmers market with lots of homemade goodies, flowers , local veg and fruits .Wish I had had time to stop and explore Once up the hill to the town , I saw some large hotels , with everyone sitting out on the porch in rocking chairs having breakfast and enjoying the views of the ocean. Quite a find,after the new harbor area we were in which was dare I say was a little more redneck!!!
We got away at 9.30 am as getting Rogers dingy back on was a little tricky.We had parked it at the back on our swim platform but we had to get out our boat out first to enable Roger to have access to his swim platform and raise the dingy onto it.
The trip was a four and half hour journey with an almost beam sea( south east wind coming from the side ).
We had shelter as we passed through the Vineyard Sound but were hit head on as we came south again to get to Nantucket.
It was pretty bouncy , so we slowed down to take the chop and 3 ft waves more comfortably. Banging through the waves is not pleasant , never mind the rattling of stuff in the cupboards and possible damage.
The entrance to Nantucket Harbor was narrow but well marked.Busy place with ferry boats coming in and out. Getting the mooring ball sorted out in the strong head wind was near impossible and both boat had to get help. Rather than just pick up the line with the boat hook up this way ,you need to pick up a float attached to the line.Sometimes the line is caught and the float stick is too short.
We changed to a better mooring ball which went much easier.
Time for a rest , before we headed into Natucket town by water taxi. Graeme called a fellow Sabre 48 owner, Bob we knew and surprisingly , he was also here but in a slip.
So we arranged to meet up have a drink and catch up before heading off to dinner at the highly recommended Brant Point Restaurant..
Dinner for three of us was the fresh grilled swordfish which was delicious Well worth the Mercury intake risk!
We walked back through the town to the water taxi checking out a few of the shops which were still open even at 9 pm. Seems on first impression ,this is party town for all the young things. They were decked out , wandering the town and enjoying the summer break. All ready for bed by 10 pm .Something about that fresh sea air!
Over and Out
Skipper and Skipperette.
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