Time for another visit to Milford Connecticut!

It was time for our BBF to have another adventure with his BF’s in Milford, so bags got packed and we were locked into his hand luggage suitcase on the left.

Early in the Morning on Monday 11 August Petra and Vincent dropped us all off at Düsseldorf Airport. Our BBF had already checked in and had his Boarding Passes, so the actual Check-in went smoothly as did the Security Checks and then it was just a short wait for the first flight which took us to Dublin. It seems the norm now on European flights is that you have to pay for refreshments, so our BBF shut his eyes and dozed most of the way.

In Dublin he was keen to have a sit down meal in a restaurant, but this was not to happen. He discovered that the US Customs and Immigration had a facility at the airport so decided to go through them after ascertaining that there were places to get refreshments on the other side! Unlike the US Customs and Immigration in JFK New York there were little queues and it went quickly. Now, however, the only restaurant on this side was for First and Business Class Passengers! There was an Irish Pub which was full and one had to queue to get a place. There were a number of other cafe’s where one could get coffee and a sandwich. There was also a number of machines that dispensed drinks and sandwiches.

Our BBF got himself a chicken salad sandwich and a bottle of water and sat in the waiting area by the departure Gate to eat it.

Although it was mid morning there were not that many people in the hall which filled up as time went on. We had a total of five hours to wait, which if we had sat in a restaurant and had a proper meal would have flown by. As it was, it was a tedious wait. Time passed and when we boarded the hall was full of people. The Air Lingus flight was full and Alan had an aisle seat. The woman next to him coughed and sneezed all the way over! The food on the flight was the worst we have ever had and the entertainment system was not that inspiring either. The quality of the sound was poor as was the choice of movies. Our BBF gave it up as a bad job and did his best to doze instead. Arrival at JFK and leaving the aircraft went to smoothly and quickly. There were no further checks at all and we were out in record time. The flight was also early so we had a short wait for Brec to come and collect us.

It was dark by the time we arrived home in Milford and we were pleased to be released from the case to rest in our new bed.

Despite our jet lag the old friends sat and chatted well into the night. The next morning Brec was pleased to be able to use his new breakfast bowl and mug.

On Wednesday Brec and Sandy gave Alan the keys to the Truck and told him it was his to use while he was here. Needless to say after breakfast he took off in it.

He went to the Connecticut Post Mall shopping centre bought a charging cable for his iPhone so he could charge it while driving and then later a phone holder. He also discovered how to use the cruise control and coupled the phone with the car audio system via Bluetooth. In the Mall Alan now had lunch.

Alan then drove to Bridgeport East End Yacht Club to join Brec in doing some varnishing on OTTER.

He said that it was far too hot in the sun and that it felt like they were both back in Rebak Marina in Malaysia. Our BBF felt good and relaxed to be back just pottering around on a boat again. Once it was done Alan took off for home where he had a quick nap for the humans were all going out to dinner.

On Wednesdays at the Bridgehouse Restaurant Lobsters are on special! What is better than a lobster?……..Two lobsters, which our BBF felt was almost too much of a good thing, but he polished them off and enjoyed every morsel!

After dinner Brec had to go to his studio to complete a painting, while Sandy and Alan returned home alone, and drank Genever out of the Shipfaced glasses Alan bought in Cutty Hunk two years ago!

After Breakfast Sandy went into town to get the new Truck registered and licensed for the road. Brec took it anyway to go to the boat and do some varnishing. Alan was tasked with taking Brec’s car to a Muffler Repair Shop to get an estimate, as his exhaust was a little loud! The estimate was horrendous and since the car has over 418,000 miles on the clock, maybe it was time to get rid of it.

Alan returned to the house and with Sandy went shopping where  he bought a cheap pair of trousers and jeans with a couple of T-Shirts so that he could do dirty work on the boat.

Brec had invited his Lodger Bill, also a marine artist, from next door to dinner after which the male humans all went to Bill’s to watch a series about the war in the Pacific a bit like ‘Band of Brothers”. They drank whiskey and ate popcorn while watching it.

On Thursday Brec had to fly to Arizona to visit his sister who is slowly dying! Alan took the Truck and went for a drive. He ended up in Old Saybrook and went shopping in West Marine where he bought himself a set of new boat shoes. That night after dinner Sandy and Alan played Cribbage and drank more Genever!

 

Friday morning was a wellness day for the two humans and the cat! The humans went for a neck and foot massage at a Thai establishment which was very relaxing and much needed. After a quick roast beef sandwich for lunch they returned home to take the cat to the vet. Emma has been complaining to anyone who will listen. Our BBF just meows back! The Vet gave her the once over took blood for tests, but for a 19 year old cat Emma seemed in perfect condition. Maybe it was just senility creeping in!

On the way home now we had to go to the railway station to collect Sandy’s God son Jens. Sandy and Jens have this custom of binge watching “The Lord of the Rings” which they have been doing for some 11-15 years now. But before we could start doing that we had to go out to the Café in Milford for drinks and a meal, as well as meet Sandy’s friends and listen to the music.

 

Jens is an interesting young man. He is in his 30s, has a degree in political science and international relations and is moving to Vienna to work. He speaks some German which will clearly improve while he is there. Our BBF and he spoke a little German to each other during the evening.

Back home the binge watching started. Sandy has the whole of the Lord of the Rings Directors cut on six CDs. Alan watched the first two before going to bed. When he got up again in the morning they were already into the next session which lasted the rest of the day. At the end of the session Jens had to leave to catch his train home. 

When Sandy returned as there was an oyster festival in town she and our BBF went looking for oysters and some fizzy water. At the first place they chose there was standing room only and no parking spaces available! At the River View Bistro they found parking and space to sit at the bar.

It was to be Alan’s treat, they drank Prosecco, Sandy had Clam Chowder and Alan four Oysters. Yum!

After that it was off to the Irish Club in Milford where Sandy is a member as her great great grandmother was from Ireland. Alan was looking forward to Irish music, but the band played a mix of modern pop/rock.

 

They had some nibbles to eat which went down very well with the Guinness! When the band paused for a break after 90 minutes of playing Alan and Sandy returned home to play more Cribbage and drink Genever. It was a great card playing session with much drinking and merriment. Alan came to bed at least three sheets to the wind! 

There is no peace for the wicked and so our BBF was up early to shower and go to church the next day. As Brec had returned late in the night he was allowed to sleep in.

 

It was good service with a friendly congregation. Sandy and Alan drove home with the top down.

Later in the afternoon they went shopping and Alan treated Sandy and himself to the best ice cream in Milford at Scooby Doo’s!

Brec has now made a plan for sailing. Tomorrow, Monday two young women from Mönchengladbach are coming to stay for a week and Sandy will be picking them up in the afternoon, so we will have a full House here. 

A quiet sail to New London.

On the floating jetty in Galilee where we made up in the dark, as the wind was blowing us onto the jetty,  the feeders squeaked, which made for a disturbed night. The humans got up at 06:30 hrs and our BBF made tea and breakfast and the men discussed the next passage over it! 

A power boat next to us asked if we could move back as the bowsprit was sticking out preventing him from leaving. The men jumped to do that and no sooner were they below when they noticed him leaving! They realigned the boat and got ready for the passage! 

The day was cold grey and overcast with a promise of rain in the air. Outside the harbour Brec set a reefed Genoa and we were off, sailing! The engine was turned off and peace reigned over the boat.

We were protected from large following seas because of the land so it was good sailing were it not for the cold.

As we drew closer to Watch Point and the Passage round it, the seas began to build again. Thankfully the wind was not more than 18-20 knots perhaps gusting 25 knots at times.

You can just see Watch Point over the Starboard side on the horizon!

Fans of Bonnie Tyler may know that she has a house on Watch Point and it is the big white one you see in the middle of the photo.

Once through the Passage we were into Long Island Sound and the following seas were much calmer and we were able to roll out a bit more Genoa!

As our BBF was on watch Brec made some sandwiches for lunch which we ate as we passed Seaflower Reef Light!

It was then just a couple of hours more to New London. The Genoa was rolled away when  we got to the entrance and the engine put back on. We have made up in Crocker’s Boatyard again. 

Would you believe the sun came out after our humans had showered!

Brec then showed us a horrid  bruise he had discovered on his arm which he probably got this morning pushing the boat off the jetty! 

The humans, clean and refreshed went ashore for a meal! Tomorrow will be a sparrow fart start so they will be in bed early for tomorrow is going to be at least a ten hour sail to Bridgeport. 

A bumpy cold wet ride to Galilee!

The humans were awake at 06:30 hrs. It had been planned to leave then, but with the wid howling Brec fancied a lie in till 07:30 hrs. Our BBF made tea and then made breakfast after which they put on their oilskins and set off into the grey windy day. Gale warnings had been given for small craft in Buzzard’s Bay, so we knew we were going to have a tough day!

With just a scrap of a Genoa and with a little engine we motor sailed out of the canal into Buzzard’s Bay!

As the day wore on the wind got up to 35 knots and so the scrap was reefed, and still we were going at 5 knots with big following seas! It rained and blew cold most of the time too! 

It reminded us of the Atlantic crossing with our BBF after which he said never again! So 25 years later we have to ask what are we doing here!

Supporting our BF Brec is the answer! He admitted too that today was not a nice day. With poor visibility strong following seas and winds of 35 knots it is stressful for the skipper/navigator who bears the full responsibility of ensuring a safe passage! All our BBF has to do is steer and keep watch and cook! 

After some 45 nm we made up in Galilee just behind Point Judith for the night! Our BBF cooked the evening meal and then we all fell into our bunks as it had been a long hard day! 

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!

Wind stopped play!

Thursday (31 August 2023) morning our BBF was up first. He had got up twice in the night to look at the stars, but the Blue Moon had chased them away! He put the kettle on for tea and Brec emerged so the two men had breakfast and discussed the plan for this day. It had blown hard out of the North most of the night and was blowing hard now. Since we wanted to go North too it looked as if we would have a wet bumpy ride under engine for more than 6 hours. None of us on board fancied that. Could we sail to some place else on the mainland coast or the islands comfortably and use that as a jumping off point? Part of the problem was the fact that this wind would still be blowing out of the North on Friday! It was a beautiful day too, nice and sunny and really hot out of the wind. Consequently the men, hardened sailors that they are, felt a certain pressure to keep going. A plan developed to sail for New Bedford and wait there. When Brec went on deck to start getting the boat ready for sea, the dinghy had to be brought up on deck and deflated, for example, he stood in the cockpit for a bit clearly undecided. Alan went up on deck and they both agreed that prudence was the art of survival and that they should remain here in Cuttyhunk! Some years ago, Brec and Sandy were stuck here in a Hurricane! They were able to moor the boat against pilings in the harbour and were given a place to sleep ashore in the Fishing Club with a few others who were caught out here. Brec took all the sails and stuff off the deck and placed them below, so that the boat had less windage. They survived that and we would all survive this.

Sandy emerged, the men put the outboard engine on the dinghy ready to go ashore. Sandy did not really want to go as it was blowing hard, but our BBF persuaded her to go with them. They left us aboard and motored slowly to the dock where other yachties left their dinghies. The all used the Public loos there, but sadly there were no showers. The sun shone and all seemed right with the world. 

They walked, we’d like to say into town, but really this place is just a collection of houses, there is no town as such. They found the Cuttyhunk Market which was in a house set back behind another. Here they were able to get some sandwiches and coffee for a picnic lunch. Sandy had to fill in a form to get them and there was a wait to get them freshly made. The men had Tuna Salad and Sandy had Chicken Salad, Alan had a coffee and Brec a tea, Sandy a cold drink. Our BBF found some post cards and bought a couple to send home. He then went next door to the Post Office to buy stamps for them. He found now that the Postmaster could not change a $100 bill so had to owe the man 50 cents! He went back to Sandy who kindly gave him the money.

The humans now walked up to the top of the hill where Brec had done his lovely little sketch yesterday. There were park benches here so they sat and enjoyed the view and their picnic. The could see for miles which after a couple of foggy days was marvellous. 

They discussed the weather and all agreed it was a good decision to stay here.

Walking back down the hill they came across some boxes of stuff for people to take for free. Brec and Sandy chose some small photograph frames while Alan found a pair of brand new extendable forks for grilling S’mores which he couldn’t resist.

They then went to the local Historical Museum which had an interesting collection of paintings. Alan was amused by the Cuttyhunk song which stated;

Down in good old Cuttyhunk

Where many a billow curls

The Light House  Service tends the buoys

And the Coast Guard tends the girls.

At the cross roads was a house set back which looked like a store so Sandy and Alan explored it. He bought a couple of items and then when they got back to the harbour Brec was there with blocks of ice for the cool box on the boat. There were also other houses that seemed picturesque.

The journey back to OTTER was now up wind and there was a bit of a chop in the harbour. Although Brec did his best steering the dinghy, spray came over the top wetting Sandy and Alan. Sandy shrieked each time this happened which the men found amusing! A bit wet but safe and sound they got back on board. 

There had been a notice on the Harbourmasters Shack about access to WIFI, but it was impossible to use if on board. Later Alan asked the Harbourmaster, when he came for the mooring fees, about it. He remarked that it didn’t extend out to the moorings, but Alan was welcome to sit on the dockside and use it there. 

Brec once he had sorted out the cool box and put the blocks of ice in went  ashore again to paint. Alan had a nap and Sandy sat in the cockpit out of the wind soaking up the sun and reading.

Our BBF prepared and cooked the evening meal. When Brec returned he brought with him a pot lid he had found at another place offering free stuff. The large pot on board did not have one so it was very prophetic we all thought. He also had done another lovely painting in his sketch book.

Everyone enjoyed the meal and as Alan had bought some funny shot glasses which said on them, “Let’s get ship face!” They all had couple of glasses of port and dud just that after the meal.

There was a nice sunset which makes us all hopeful for tomorrow.