On to Onset.

Our BBF got up a couple of times in the night to look at the stars. The moon always scares them away, but the night sky was cloudless and a few did their best to shine through, Orion’s Belt was easily visible. During the night the wind blew hard for a bit, but we were all snug so slept on. This morning Brec started the engine at 08:45hrs to charge the batteries which woke us all up. He then listend to the shipping forecast while our BBF cleared away his bed and made a cup of tea.  The men then discussed the possibility of moving on today. As the winds were light Brec was hopeful that they could make Onset Bay today. Our BBF had wanted to go ashore to get proper Wifi so we could send our Blog, but when it was agreed that they should attempt the passage he stayed on board, made a potato salad and egg salad sandwiches for lunch. At one stage Brec helped peel the hard boiled eggs and discovered that we had fresh eggs after all!

We set off around 11:30hrs and the going was fine. The wind was on the nose but the engine and boat made reasonable headway against it and the adverse current. There were hardly any clouds to be seen, just a few fluffy white ones on the horizon to the North of us. Sandy sat and read, Alan kept watch, the Autopilot steered and Brec Navigated and did the many necessary boat jobs. He is a fine seaman and we all feel safe in his lovely little yacht. Sandy near the end of the day remarked that Alan was a stalwart seaman. Well we don’t know about that, we only know that he and Brec are very similar and both have confidence in each others sailing ability, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.

When we arrived at the entrance to the channel leading to the Cape Cod Canal our BBF turned off the Autopilot and hand steered all the way to the anchorage where we now are. Brec put the hook down and after they had made sure it had held the engine was turned of and our BBF went  below to prep and cook the evening meal. The Skipper (Brec) broke out the anchor beers and a toast was given to a successful day.

The meal was enjoyed by all and after Brec had cleared away the humans sat looking at their mobile phones and there was silence on the boat.

Cuttyhunk Island

We Bears of little brain forgot to mention yesterday that Brec and Alan had sighted dolphins as we came out of Wicopesset Passage and before the Fog came. The two circumnavigators were thrilled as they have many happy memories of their visits on the ocean. Brec said it was the first time he had seen dolphins at all in Long Island Sound! 

This morning Wednesday 30 August we were up early again to set off. Brec started the motor and let got the mooring and motored us out of the Great Salt Pond. Our BBF joined him once he had packed away his bed and got dressed. Then with out BBF as Helmsman on watch we continued our voyage eastwards. Rounding the end of Block Island we were now out of Long Island Sound and into the Atlantic proper and we felt it with the big Atlantic rollers sweeping from right to left under the boat. This made it all somewhat rolly, so Sandy wedged herself in her bunk so she didn’t roll about and slept on, or tried to. 

The sun was behind the grey clouds and then the fog came down again shortening the view to a little under half a nautical mile. We saw no other boats, but did hear the deep rumble of an engine of probably the Block Island Ferry going by in the mist.

The men had breakfast and chatted amiably about sailing and this and that. Brec concentrated in between on the navigation, while Alan kept watch and the autopilot steered, rather squeakily we thought. At first the day was grey and cold then it tried to rain so oilskins were called for. When it stopped it was warm so oilskins came off and so the day continued. 

The wind was not that strong and came from the southwest. The engine stayed on, Brec raised the Staysail which gave a bit of lift and dampened the roll a bit. Later he rolled out the Genoa and put the spinnaker pole on the end so that when we rolled it didn’t collapse. This also gave us a lift which helped push us on and once the current against us stopped we managed to do at least 6 knots. 

We were hoping to see the Buzzards Bay light tower which was our waypoint, but in the fog failed to see it, though we passed it at a little under half a nautical mile! When the fog lifted we did see it dead astern about a mile away. Gradually land came into sight and now in the lea of the Elizabeth Island chain  we no longer had the big Atlantic swell to deal with.  The buoys marking rocks close to the entrance of Cuttyhunk were rounded and then it was just a matter of picking up a mooring which we easily did.

Our BBF went immediately below and made BLTs for lunch which all enjoyed. The sun then came out and a rainbow was sighted. Brec did a few boat chores while Alan had a nap. Brec wanted to go ashore and paint so he put the dinghy over. The harbourmaster stopped by and the mooring fees were paid and then Brec set off or tried to! He has a new outboard engine and so it needs getting used to. After starting and letting go the painter it stopped and so Brec drifted a bit downwind until he got it started again. Alan and Sandy are left on board with us and Alan will be making the evening meal for all. 

When he returned he showed us the painting he had made.

There was a nice sunset which seemed like a good omen to us all so we retired to bed, to sleep perchance to dream of home!

On to Block Island

Our BBF got up twice in the night to look at the stars, but there weren’t any so he had a wee instead! Around 0700hrs he made some tee for everyone and some porridge for himself and Brec. Sandy stayed in bed. When they had breakfasted Brec hauled up the anchor and with Alan on the helm we motored out of the anchorage. 

As Vincent had asked the question on yesterdays Blog why were they not wearing life jackets, Alan replied that he would ensure he wore his from now on. The day was grey and chilly enough to require a jacket.

Later on after we had passed through the Wicopesset Passage it got foggy and wet enough for Alan to put on his full Oilies. We remained under engine the whole way as the wind was from dead ahead. At one stage the Fog got so thick Alan had the feeling we were motoring down hill. He said it really was an odd feeling and we think it may have had to do with the fact that there was no visible horizon! The day remained grey all the way to Block Island which after awhile we could see in the mist.

We hoped to pick up a CCA (Cruising Club of America) mooring within the Great Salt Pond, but sadly they were occupied so we had to motor around till we found a suitable one. 

Brec was on the helm and Alan picked up the mooring and made up to it.

Sandy then organised lunch, Brec gave our BBF an anchor beer, that and lunch he had in the cockpit. Brec went about his boat chores while Sandy read and our BBF had a nap below. He then had a wash and brush up ready to go ashore with Brec.

They got a water taxi to the shore and then had a long walk into town. Brec was fortunate in having had a celebration on the Island 20 years ago in May when he returned from his circumnavigation which was organised by his brother John. Some 80 people in all came. Our return by comparison was a damp squib, Alan had dressed our boat overall but there was no one on the jetty to great us or celebrate with.

They went to the veranda of the National Hotel and had a Guiness to celebrate, something Brec does whenever he is here.

Muscles were ordered and

Brec said they were finger licking good.

Afterwards they walked past the burnt out Harborside Inn to get a small ice cream before heading back to the boat and Sandy who had stayed aboard.

Our BBF then made the evening meal.

As cooks do not wash up Brec then did the necessary chores and so the day ended in harmony and a sense of well being.

 

Back to Fisher’s Island

When we woke this morning we were uncertain as to what the day would bring. The main problem was the delivery of the life raft! Brec had been promised that it would be delivered  today, but there were no guarantees. Our BBF was woken early as Sandy needed to use the loo as Laura was taking a shower before going to work and so the downstairs bathroom was blocked. He had no idea what woke him until Sandy appeared from out of the loo.

Since he was up he might as well stay up. He had a stripped down wash got dressed and went looking for coffee. Sandy was asleep on the sofa in the front room and Brec was already in the shower. Our BBF found coffee and took it on the back porch to drink and slowly wake up. He had breakfast with Brec and when he went to the boat to stow stuff away Alan stayed behind. Sandy when she surfaced then made some salads to take aboard. Generally our BBF hates waiting so the morning was boring, after cutting up an onion for Sandy he read or played games on his iPad. For lunch he had a bowl of Sandy’s Bulgur salad which he said was quite tasty. 

John appeared at about 13:30 hrs with a trolly on which he had the life raft. Sandy informed Brec and then we waited some more till he came to collect us. Once he came the life raft was taken out of the delivery box which our BBF now cut into bite size pieces that would fit in the recycling bin. Brec loaded the car said farewell to his brother John then we were off.

At the boat yard we unloaded the car and loaded the boat. Brec gave our BBF the task of securing the raft on the centre hatch which he did, according to Brec in a seaman like manner.

They then cast off the lines and motored out of the marina.

The stress of land life falling off of Brec’s shoulders can be seen here, let the adventure begin.

The rail bridge was open so we motored on through it.

Passing the USCGC EAGLE on her mooring again on our way out. Brec then handed the helm over to our BBF who steered all the way back to the anchorage we had a few days again. The sky was now overcast again and the sun hidden behind grey clouds which made the afternoon cold enough for a jacket.

A

Sandy sat happily in the cockpit reading.  It took a little over two and half hours to get back and once the anchor was down Brec served out an anchor beer and our BBF set about cooking an evening meal.

Pasta with meatballs and Alan’s marinara sauce, washed down with a good red wine.

The plan now is to sail to Block Island and from there on through the Cape Cod Canal to Province Town, day sailing most of the way. What happens thereafter and where we go depends then on the weather.

The sun set over the anchorage, the humans sat in the cockpit until they were tired enough to go to bed.

Tomorrow is another day.

A life on the Ocean Wave!

We set off with Brec and Alan to go sailing a week ago now and it was one of the hottest days of the year. There was little wind when we set off around 3 o'clock in the afternoon from Bridgeport to sail to Port Jefferson on Long Island. We motor sailed and Alan helmed all the way.

We turned right inside the entrance and picked up a mooring just as the sun was setting. There were only two other boats in this anchorage, but a couple of paddle boarders were chilling on their boards.

Brec had complained that his engine, after awhile, lost revolutions. He thought perhaps it might be that the prop was encrusted with barnacles and so leapt over the side to scrape them off.

We just chilled in the cockpit and enjoyed the sunset! Brec made a good job of cleaning the prop, then showered on deck using the new shower his brother John had given him. Alan cooked supper and we tired Teddies were soon in bed after listening to much chat and discussion from the humans.

The next day was another lovely hot one with clear blue skies. We motor sailed again, only this time the autopilot steered the boat while our BBF kept watch. After an hour the engine again lost revs, so this time Alan suggested plan B, put into the nearest decent harbour and go through the immediate action on the engine to really find and fix the fault. Brec did say that perhaps it was the exhaust elbow which had not been changed in 14 odd years and a mechanic had recommended that it be changed every five to seven years!

Apart from the fact that the engine had less revs it would have been another lovely motor sail, were it not for the damn blood sucking flies. Their bite left nasty itching red lumps on the skin. Alan spent the whole voyage swatting any that came in range. He established a new record on OTTER for flies killed on a short passage of 58! Even now there are places on his body that itches still!

We put into Pilots Point Marina, not a cheap place but it had everything we might need. Brec set to work soon after we had filled up with diesel.

First we checked the fuel line to the electric fuel pump and found that the pump did not work, only the mechanical pump on the engine was feeding fuel from the keel tank. That would do it. Brec took it off and we would need to find a new one in the morning.

Since his lovely daughter lived nearby he invited her and her husband to come and have dinner with us. Laura chose a Burger Bar near the Marina. What the boys did not appreciate was that there were two entrances to the marina and they now went out the furthest one from the restaurant! They walked about a kilometer and then Brec phoned Laura who came and got us. Chris, Laura's husband arrived at the restaurant as we arrived.



Alan told us that the burgers and fries were a lot better standard than your average McDonalds, but then so were the prices! It was a very pleasant way to end a long day.

The next morning, Sandy who was on her way to Cape Cod, interrupted her journey to help the boys find an automotive shop that had a similar electric fuel pump. We found what we needed at the first place Brec had sourced using his phone, which was lucky. Sandy dropped them back at the marina and then they set to work.



By lunch time we were ready to set off again, in the hope we would have no more problems with the engine.

We set off for Fishers Island in perfect sunshine. The wind was again light so we motor sailed arriving just as the sun was setting.

All sails were taken in as we entered the bay, but then Alan noticed that water was no longer coming out of the exhaust. The engine was quickly turned off and the main hoisted again and so the boys put the anchor out under sail alone, with Alan at the helm. Alan was reminded that he had done this before in Colon, the entrance to the Panama Canal, during his circumnavigation. Brec said it was his way of making Alan happy as he knew he like to do things the hard way.

This time Brec thought it was clearly the exhaust elbow which we must change at some stage. Before having a meal Brec started the engine again and this time water was coming out of the exhaust. As  he felt the anchor was dragging the boys upped anchor and set it again under engine this time.

A peaceful night was had by all now.

The next morning we set off at dawn and motored round the island, through Wickerpisset Passage. From there the wind was favourable and we were able to hoist sail and get the Monitor to steer us. Alan again kept watch while Brec fiddled and tinkered on his boat as all single handed sailors tend to do, knowing he had someone reliable at the helm. The Monitor!!

We had a lovely and most enjoyable sail all the way to Block Island with no flies! Clearly this was a popular place on Labour Day weekend, for the various marinas were full and the anchorage was filling up quickly. It was almost wall to wall boats by the time we had found, Brec's friend, Pepper on his boat, a Pearson 38.6 called Floating Ecstasy. He was not alone as he had a lovely little King Charles Spaniel, called Chloe, as a companion.

We moored next to him so did not have to set our own anchor.

After Brec and Pepper had caught up on their news and Alan had had a chance to get to know Pepper the boys set to work to change the exhaust elbow.

At one stage it literally took their combined effort to get the parts together. Then Brec went for another swim and scrubbed the hull once more, before showering. Alan, was too self conscious to shower on deck where so many people could observe his ablutions, so he had a strip wash with a bucket inside the boat. 

Pepper took them all ashore in his dinghy for a meal. It is Brec's tradition that he must have a Guinness on the veranda of the National Hotel on Block Island. This is because this was the last thing he did here before setting off on his circumnavigation, on the understanding that those that saw him off, would return for another Guinness when he got back!

After a drink and some "Steamers" as Brec calls these small soft shelled clams, they left to have a fish and chip meal in another place. All agreed that they were the best they had tasted in a long time.

On the walk back Alan spotted a Santa creeping up the step of the National Hotel! You can just see him at the top of the stairs, if you look closely. It was not until the next afternoon that Alan understood why!!

Finding our boats in the dark was not easy now as there was little to go on. Each of the tiny pin pricks of light in the above poor picture, represents a boat at anchor!!

The next morning we noticed a very cool young lady on a paddle board with her dog. Between her feet she had a mug of coffee and every so often she would take a sip as she paddled God knows where!

It being a Sunday, Alan made Pancakes for breakfast. Note that Brec saws off the handle of things, not to save weight as we know they do on some racing yachts, but to get them in his lockers!! He runs a clean and tidy ship.

Pepper was invited over for breakfast and the humans just chilled for a bit chatting and setting the world to rights.

Maggie, a friend of Pepper's friend came by to say hello!

And we were even more pleased when she cam below to see us.

We then went ashore and the humans hired bikes to get round the island. Here you can see how crowded the anchorage is.

Brec brought his sketch book and made drawings of places of interest. Alan, Pepper and Chloe took an inside look at this light house, but found $10 a bit much to go up it.

Here you can just make out a wind farm. Alan says every thing is bigger and better in America, but not wind farms, it seems. Only five windmills and this was America's first.

Chloe also wanted to see over the fence! Dog owners have a lot to put up with, don't you think?

The map shows the island. The boats are anchored in the New Harbour and we now left Brec to his sketching with Pepper and Chloe and rode off round the island.

Our first stop  was an historic cemetery. Such places are full of history and tragic tales of yore.

As in this case, graves of two small children.

Here we wondered what happened to the wife?

Our next stop was at a Veterans Memorial.

We have to say the Americans don't do things by halves and have a sense of history!

Once again from this small hill top you can see how crowded the anchorage is.

At a place called Champlin's Marina we stopped for a coffee and Blueberry Muffin. It was now that we learned of the significance of seeing a Santa the night before!

The many yachties and boat owners that come here in the year never come at Christmas, so they decided to celebrate Christmas on their boats during the Labour Day Weekend. All boats were decorated in some fashion or other for Christmas, as the pictures show, and there is a competition for the best dressed boat.

The boys had agreed to meet at the bike hire place, where by the way, a lady from Berlin had rented them their bikes! Pepper and Chloe had returned earlier to their boat, so we now got on the water taxi to take us back.

It's not a quick ride as it picks up and drops people all over the place. Once back we just had short stop to drop off some shopping and then it was back in Pepper's dinghy to go ashore for a meal.

The closest restaurant to the dinghy dock had a 45 minute wait for a table. The boys did not fancy a walk into town, but found that the Block Island Cookie Company, run by a vivacious lady called Lauri McTeague would open up again to make up Burgers with "the Works" as she put it. As she had run out of buns they were on Texas Toast! Either way they were delicious and were followed up with ice cream which we enjoyed around a gas fire pit, made to look like coal! Here we learned that Lauri has been 25 years on the island and is also a teacher at the local primary school.

The next morning at around 10 o'clock we set off with lots of other boats to sail to Mystic. It was a long convoy getting out of the anchorage, but once clear we motor sailed, now with full revs all the way.

Brec's friend Christine had kindly arranged for us to stay at Mason's Island Yacht Club. So we moored on the jetty, cleaned up the boat and went ashore for much needed showers.

Now Alan discovered that his right eye was blood shot. Clearly he had a burst blood vessel, it did not hurt, but gave him an odd look! Maybe he was just getting ready for Halloween!

Brec had arranged for us to have dinner with Christine in Mystic and Al a yachtie moored on the other side of the jetty, took us in, in his pickup. We all rode in the back.

While waiting at the railway station for Christine to arrive, as we had wifi access to the internet the humans downloaded the Uber App. More on that later.

The flag pole in the centre of Mystic at night.

We had a lovely reunion with Christine and enjoyed a nice meal in one of the better places in town. The only downside as far as Alan was concerned, was that the air conditioning was making the place too cold. He had to sit with his jacket on! The humans sat and chatted until they discovered that they were the last in the restaurant to leave!

Now the Uber App came into its own, for it was used to get back to the marina. We were all impressed with how well it worked.

The next morning we were a little late getting started, but the Club manager a very nice man called Phil allowed us to stay on the jetty till after we had breakfasted. Uber was used again to get us to Kitchen Little, the restaurant where we were meeting another fine lady we had first met three years ago.

Suzanne had not changed at all since we had last met. The restaurant had every type of breakfast egg dish you could wish for. Alan, however, whinged about the fact that every dish came with a cheese topping. And the Americans wonder why they are overweight!! We could have stayed chatting to Suzanne all day, but needs must when the devil drives and the humans all had other things to do. Suzanne kindly drove us back to the yacht club before the parting of the ways.

We moved the boat to a mooring then rowed ashore for our next date!

A lunch date with Christine, on the left and her friend Karen. The time just flew by in the company of these friendly, chatty and very independent women. Karen, also being an artist had lots of things in common and to discuss with Brec. They feasted on oysters and various salads and all agreed a fine lunch was had and in good company.

We sailors and Bears now went to Mystic Sea Port which is a sailing museum. We slipped in the back way without paying and came across the workshop where they are restoring the Mayflower II built originally in England between 1955-57. Then they thought they had built a boat which would last 200 years, but by the look of the work, very little of the original boat will remain.

After stopping at the entrance to now pay the fee we had just time enough to look at two more ships.

The Joseph Conrad was used now as a dormitory ship and one of Alan's lady friends remembers staying on her as a girl guide in the 50s!

We discovered that the female volunteer aboard her actually came from Bremerhaven, so they had a chat about that town since we had also just been there with Christopher.

The Charles Morgan the last Whaling Ship was the other ship we toured. This ship was fully sea worthy and had last voyaged around Long Island Sound in 2014. Music was being played as we came aboard. That and the smell of tar and hemp helped us imagine how it must have been all those years ago.

A trip to the heads ashore we found the humans had placed a bench so that little folk could also stand and pee!

With another Uber ride back to the Yacht Club, this time the driver was originally from Düsseldorf and had come here after spending 10 years in South Africa, some 25 years ago! It all just goes to show how small the world really is.

We now had the pleasure of participating in the Yacht Club's Sunset Ceremony. Phil the manager fired the gun and Brec slowly hauled down the Stars and Stripes Ensign.

Together they folded it the proper way.

Brec has the ability to turn even a solemn  occasion into one of fun and laughter!

We set off at dawn in initial calm seas so motor sailed, towing the dinghy, all the way to the Thimble Islands where we picked up another mooring. As it had been another hot day, Brec went for a swim, but because of Alan's red eye, he thought better of it.

A shower on deck was had, however.

Brec cooked the evening meal and the humans sat chatting until quite late in the evening. The night was not so peaceful as the wind turned and when the tide turned we pitched a little up to the mooring bouy. At least twice in the night Brec was up to adjust the mooring so we could all sleep peacefully.

The sea and wind was against us for the last sail to Bridgeport. Brec was a little concerned about Alan's eye so Sandy arranged for him to see their Optometrist and Eye Surgeon in Milford. 

The humans set some sail to give the boat more drive and headed a little off the wind, so the boat could drive better through the waves, but the motor was used to assist the passage. 

They moored up at the town dock in Milford and Alan walked ashore to the doctor. He was seen immediately and after a thorough check was told that it was a cosmetic fault that would go away in a couple of weeks. What caused it, could not be determined at this stage. Nor would the eye deter them from climbing Mount Katahdin next week.

After lunch of tuna salad sandwiches, no voyage on OTTER is complete without a meal of tuna, we set off for Bridgeport and home.

Alan said it was a lovely voyage, he was allowed to helm all the difficult stages, picking up buoys, sailing anchors in, coming alongside other yachts and jetties. The hot days at sea reminded him of sailing in the tropics, all in all it was a wonderful tonic for his soul, and for which he is grateful.