The long journey home!

Our BBF slept well, but woke early. He dozed and then got up at around 08:30 hrs. Showered, shaved, got dressed and packed the last suitcase. When he took it downstairs he found Brec and Sandy there and so he sat and had the last breakfast in Milford.

He loaded his two large suitcases into the back of Sandy’s car with Brec’s help! 

Then they gave each other a huge bear hug with watery eyes! Promises were made to return Insha’lla!!

It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky as Sandy drove us all to JFK airport. There was much traffic on the road and it was good that we had left early.

When on the bridge over to Long Island we had a view of the New York sky line. 

Sandy dropped us off at Terminal 7 for Condor Airlines and then followed another tearful hug and grateful kisses for the generosity and the wonderful hospitality shown us!

Our BBF found the check in desk and dropped off his two suitcases. Then he had to go and pay for the second one, $118! 

The security took with the long queue about 30 minutes and he had to go through the X-Ray machine twice and be subjected to a body search as his artificial knee showed up on the scan!

Once belt, boots and everything had been gathered we were off to find lunch! Alan had one last Burger! Then it was just a matter of waiting till it was time to board!

The Air Tags seemed to show only one suitcase loaded on the plane! It says Backpack but it is a suitcase. We hope it’s a glitch and nothing more!

We boarded late and we Bears are in the shoulder bag under the seat in front!

The route to be taken we found interesting flying over the sea where we sailed just a few short weeks ago! We are amazed now that we sailed back and forth over that bit of ocean!

Our late take off from JFK we felt did not bode well for our onward journey! During the flight our BBF watched a film called A Wrinkle in Time about two children looking for their father! He then tried to sleep a bit but only rested his eyes. 

Another film was watched Fools Gold, and so the time passed till landing! 

Our BBF did his best to get across the airport to get his connecting flight to Düsseldorf, but failed as they had shut the plane doors a few minutes before! 

The Air Tag showed that one case is still in JFK! 

We were quickly booked onto another flight leaving at 08:35 hrs, so now went directly but slowly to that gate to wait! The family have been informed so now we just have to get to Düsseldorf to report the lost suitcase! 

And then the App told us that both suitcases had arrived in Frankfurt! Good news at least!

And then our BBF had a window seat, but tried to sleep!

We were in Düsseldorf in next to no time! 

And our Bags were there too!

Petra and Vincent were there to collect us and took us to Sigrid‘s for a welcome breakfast! Sigrid had her own surprise, birthday gifts for the sailor home from the sea! 

Back in our own four walls our BBF went to bed and we began telling the other Bears about our adventures! 

Alls well that ends well, now our BBF needs to recover from the adventure in America! 

The Last Day!

Our BBF slept well and deeply. He woke at around 08:10 hrs and went below to make coffee. Brec was up eating his breakfast. Sandy came down and Alan made himself some breakfast too. It all got into a bit of a rush then, Sandy was helping out at Communion and left first. Brec and our BBF after getting dressed followed thereafter.

When it came to Communion the congregation formed a circle and those serving went round clockwise. Our BBF and Brec got on the side where Sandy was serving. Each human took a piece of bread from one server and dipped it into the wine (Sandy) before eating it. The congregation then held hands for the last prayers.

Our humans returned home, where Brec got changed into work clothes to go and sort out a few things on the boat as the weather was so fine. Sandy and our BBF got in the VW Beatle with the top down as it was so sunny and warm and went shopping.

They stopped for lunch at Five Guys which has the reputation of having the best Burgers in the country.

They were certainly good and came up to the hype they had on the walls.

Alan wanted a simple Luggage Strap for the new suitcase, but it proved a bit difficult  finding one. Eventually they did. He also bought a couple of Air Tags to put in the suitcases which they found in Walmart, and a couple of Luggage Labels too. Then it was back to Milford. He finished packing the one suitcase and then Booked in for his flight online.

That done a certain stress fell from his shoulders.

When Brec returned from work the humans went out for a last meal together in a really nice Italian restaurant down town.

Our BBF ordered a salad for a starter, but it was huge and he just ate enough to make him want more.

He had a Seafood Platter with Linguine and it was indeed good. Sea food here in Connecticut is always fresh and not something he can get as easily in Mönchengladbach.

The humans toasted themselves and the adventure that had shared and enjoyed some more good time together.

Back at home they relaxed and watched a film, the Green Book which is base don a true story,  was funny as well as being a comment on racism in America. One last toast using the Shipfaced Glasses filled with Port ended the perfect day before they retired to bed.

A Birthday on the Lane.

The weariness in our BBF’s bones is still there for he spent a restless night and got up tired. He stayed in his PJs and just put on a warm top and went downstairs to make some coffee. Brec had returned from taking his brother to the airport. With coffee to revive him he felt better. His thought of getting abluted and dressed died. He made himself some toast for breakfast instead and thereafter went upstairs to have a trial pack. Alan had bought a new suitcase and initially intended to ditch his old one, but not everything he had went into the new one, so he decided he would use it to pack the rest of what he had and have no rucksack as hand luggage as he did on the way out. It will cost, but we remember one year when he sent parcels back by post and he then discovered that an extra suitcase was cheaper. Then there was another year where Sandy gave him an old suitcase for all his stuff!

The weather outside was cold and wet. The men had to go to a birthday party on the Lane. It was John’s party for all his cousins and family who live on the lane. After our BBF had showered and as he was finishing dressing he had a Facetime call with Petra and Vincent. Consequently the men were a bit late getting going.

The weather was not really conducive to having a picnic party on the Lane, but John and Barbara had put up some tents to give protection from the rain which fortunately did not come full force, it just dripped a bit, but it was cold.

Two brothers, Brec and the birthday boy John and  cousin  Mark standing in front of the Pizza trailer John had organised. It had a genuine wood pizza oven and the pizzas served were very tasty.

A huge birthday cake was produced with a picture of John as a baby which we all found cute.

The Pizza Wagon had real difficulty getting out of the Lane.





But after much to-ing and fro-ing managed to back up out of the lane guided by Brec and another cousin.

John made a couple of speeches and was pleased that many of his relatives were able to come and help celebrate his 70th birthday. People sang Happy Birthday and those that knew it also sang Sandy and Brec’s family birthday song. Our BBF and Brec were the last to leave and drove home in the rain and dark.

Brothers singing.

Brec had asked our BBF if he would make pancakes for breakfast last night, so this morning after a good nights sleep where some of the weariness in his bones was eased he got up at 07:30 hrs to make breakfast. He prepared pancakes, bacon and eggs, laid the table and then waited for the other humans to rise. Sandy woke and came for coffee. Alan made some apple pancakes and some plain and kept them all warm in the oven. The Morgan men slept in and eventually our BBF called up the stairs, “Morgan men, show a leg, breakfast it ready!”

The conversation at breakfast was easy and light hearted with much laughter. Brec and Geoff sat and played songs and sang to their guitars. Geoff had written many of the songs himself.

Leaving the brothers playing their music Sandy and our BBF went shopping. He doesn’t have many days left for one of his favourite activities now.

They went to the Trumball Mall in Bridgeport where Alan found a number of things he wanted and spontaneously bought a few others. Sandy went for a pedicure while our BBF shopped.

He then need a coffee and a doughnut and went to Dunkin donuts in the Mall as he has discovered the Boston Cream donut which he likes. Sandy joined him there and they then drove home. It was still raining and the Freeways were chockablock with cars, it now being the rush hour traffic on a Friday night.

Back at home Sandy and Alan cooked the evening meal, after which our BBF shared a glass of Writers’ Tears with Brec and Geoff, who then played and sang some more.

Brec is taking Geoff to the airport tomorrow early so we all said our farewells before going to bed.

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! 

A wet ride to Onset Bay

The wind which was promised howled in the rigging all night, but we Bears and our two humans slept well as we had all had a long hard day yesterday! Both humans were awake at 07:00 hrs, but turned over thinking, “ I don’t want to go out there!” 

They finally surfaced at 08:00 hrs and Brec made a cup of tea for all. The men then discussed the plan for going forward. We then dropped the mooring and moved to the fuel dock to top up with diesel, get blocks of ice and top up with water.

On the dock the humans met two Polish guys called Mark and Al on a large yacht called ALRUNA. They were trying to close the circle on a voyage which started in Newport went via Chicago, down the St Lawrence and they had left from Halifax a few days ago. A light lit up for us as this must have been the yacht that was following us on our first two days out of Lunenburg! They too wanted go through the Cape Cod Canal today. 

                                    ALRUNA

After filling with fuel OTTER was put back on the mooring and our humans went ashore for breakfast at the Post Office Café. 

 A big breakfast of French Toast with bacon an egg defeated Brec, but our BBF licked the platter clean! 

Back at the dock Brec agreed with ALRUNA how to stay in radio contact! ALRUNA left first but Brec being the good navigator that he is tuned it all perfectly! 

Here you see him in his armchair position at the wheel. The day was grey, overcast with light rain and poor visibility.

Outside the harbour Brec rolled out a well reefed Genoa and we were able to turn the engine off as we were making 5 knots. There was a following sea and with wind and rain from behind. 

Our BBF sat in Brec’s armchair and kept watch all day while Brec navigated. As we progressed towards the canal, ALRUNA called and had got there too early, their wind over tide situation made the entrance very lumpy and they thought OTTER would have difficulty with the situation. 

Brec, however, had timed the passage well slowing down or speeding up as necessary. As a consequence we arrived at just the right time to go through with the current. Our BBF with his Eagle eyes spotted the buoys well before Brec could and then hand steered through the canal taking only a break to use the heads when Brec steered.

As the unseen sun went down visibility deteriorated. Our BBF on his iPhone has an App called iSailor and has now bought the charts for this area. He has discovered that it works well as a navigation tool and now used it to good effect to steer the boat into Onset Bay in the dark.

You can see here the track we took to get out of the canal at the bottom right of the picture to the  blue arrow which is the boat at anchor.

Once Brec put the anchor down our BBF went below dried himself off and cooked the evening meal. The two men shared a beer to celebrate another successful passage.