Day 90: Mill Creek to Mile Zero of the Intercoastal Waterway - 11/10/12

We are wakened a few times by strong winds gusting across the boat.  We have put loads of chain down and are not concerned but the clanking of the chain against the runners, even though we have the bridle on, sounds unpleasant.

The alarm goes off at 6 am again and by 7 am we are on our way once more.  Although it is really cold, the sky is clear and it’s going to be a lovely sunny day and maybe, eventually, warm.

  Photos:  Sunrise leaving Mill Creek

The wind is still blowing between 6 and 7 knots when we leave, but the ride is comfortable because it is right behind us once we turn the corner out of the bay and head south.  Although the seas are heavier than we have had recently, the waves are going in the same direction so rather than the lovely rollercoaster feeling, it’s more like one of the kiddie rides at the fairground.

We are heading to Willoughby Bay to meet up with Maggie and Bob on Silver Moon and call them to see when they expect to be leaving their marina.  I can’t wait to see them and sail with them down the Intercoastal Waterway.  They have about 10 days to spend with us before they leave to meet friends. 

We are sailing into the entrance of the James River when we suddenly get a call from Bob over the VHF telling us to look over our shoulders, and there is Silver Moon coming up behind us just having left the marina.  We slow down so that they can catch us up and Maggie and I do our little WARC Parade of Sail dance.  Woop, woop, happy days!

Photo:  Maggie and Bob sneak up behind us on Silver Moon

We sail down the river at Norfolk, home of the biggest naval base in the world, and it shows.  Lines of destroyers, aircraft carriers and other naval vessels line the river.  Amazingly, there are banners announcing work being done by BAE (British Aerospace).  So the Brits help to maintain the US fleet, huh?

Photos:  Naval vessels, cranes, cargo ships and low flying aircraft, Norfolk has it all

We eventually drop anchor just outside the naval hospital in very shallow water by my reckoning but Mike has a very good, very slow motor around to check for just the right spot and pronounces the one he finds just perfect.

We go over to Silver Moon for dinner, happy to be reunited with friends that we have travelled the world with.  Now we can have another little adventure with them.  They present us with gifts, a Silver Moon cap for Mike and a pinny for me.  Now we will forever be promoting their boat – smart move!

Photo:  Me in my new pinny

Far too much wine is consumed.  I try to stop Maggie from opening the second bottle of Kim Crawford SB but she is adamant and it would be churlish of me to let her drink it alone!  We will pay for the excesses in the morning no doubt, especially as we have to be up and on the way by 8 am.

Photo:  Wearing matching J Crew t-shirts, Maggie and I

 

Position:  36 deg 54 min N, 76 deg 19 min W

Distance so far:  2830 miles