Two deaf wet old salts on a boat!

We were up before the sun and Brec pulled up the anchor and we were off in the dawn. Alan took over the helm and we motored out of the harbour. A huge cruise ship, the Enchanted Princes slowly passed us to drop anchor in the anchorage outside the harbour. 

The day was cold and it rained off and on all day as we motor sailed with all sail up to Noank a town near Mystic. The oil skin trousers Brec first gave our BBF had a zip opening in the crutch which was broken and after awhile Alan complained about having wet trousers! Brec had never put his oil skin trousers on, so he had totally wet shorts and legs and showed little sympathy for Alan’s complaint. Brec gave him another pair, and so we sailed on. So now we have two deaf wet old salts on this boat! 

 The wind in the sails gave us at least a knot more speed which helped us get to Watch Passage before the tide turned. Taylor Swift has a huge house there, but the rain and cloud prevented Alan from taking pictures, we waved anyway! 

We made the turn into the Mystic River and picked up a mooring lent to us by a friend of friend of Brec’s, at the Ram Island Yacht Club! Once the engine was off the men threw their wet clothes off. Alan found two different tins of chicken soup which he threw together, not listening to Brec who would have mixed chicken soup with Beef Broth! The hot soup and hot tea revived the two men.

After the late lunch Brec did some boat chores while our BBF had a nap! As the sun set the wind died. On a flat calm sea we let go of the mooring and motored to the Yacht Club dock where Alan put the boat alongside and Brec took the lines ashore to tie up. 

They went ashore and in the club house people were celebrating a series of Herrishoff Yacht races. The men introduced themselves and said their boat would only stay on the jetty for the time it takes to eat dinner at the Heringes restaurant. 

Brec had kindly arranged a dinner party with his daughter Laura and Christine a friend of his whom we have met three times before on our sailing trips.

On the walk there Christine, drove by and stopped! Her car was full of stuff so she couldn’t give us a lift and so she drove on. Laura, Brec’s daughter came and drove us to the restaurant! 

The restaurant looked like just a shack on the jetty, but inside it was an interesting place with a homely charm. Being so close to the sea(one couldn’t get any closer) the menu was full of sea food. 

The party started with Steamers. These soft shell clams are a particular delicacy and we had them last in Province Town two years ago.

 The men ordered the catch of the day which happened to be Sword Fish, while Laura had a bowl of Lobster Bisque and then a Lobster Roll with fries. Christine also had a lobster bisque, some fries and a salad of greens! Christine also provided the wine as the restaurant did not have a license so you bring your own! 

Christine’s daughter had helped serve at a society wedding and was gifted  a Magnum bottle of Californian Chardonnay which Christine now produced for us to drink! Our BBF opened and served it and all found it delicious and the right wine for the meal. The two men drank most of the Magnum as the women were driving!

They had a dessert afterwards which they shared. Alan chose a peanut butter and chocolate mousse, while Christine chose a key lime pie, which all found too sweet, but the mouse was exceptional. Alan also managed to get a coffee as well. 

After the meal Laura drove the men back to the jetty. It was pitch dark now and finding the mooring in the dark would be fun. There was no wind and so Alan hopped aboard and started the engine while Brec handled the lines pushed off and also stepped aboard. We motored slowly into the night and the general direction of where we thought the mooring should be. We found it too, but in the dark we’re not certain it was the right one, so motored past it. We were looking for a small white lobster pot buoy with certain markings on it. In fact it was the buoy and when we now approached it from the other direction saw the markings we were looking for. 

Back on board Brec made himself a decaf tea while Alan drank water. After a review of the very wet day we all went to bed early exhausted but happy!