Surprising gross occurrences  ... Sunday 26^th August 2012

Just before bedtime last night Mike popped his head out of the companionway to find a surprise visitor.  A cormorant had decided to settle for the night on the cabin top.  Both of us took a dim view of this development.  But Mike being a true photographer thought to grab a couple of photos before chasing the dreaded bird off the boat.  Much poking and prodding could just about get Mr. C to remove his head from under his wing but not for long.  After Mike had got a few photos he commenced in earnest to try to rid Cotinga of her dark passenger.  No dice.  That bird was not going to budge until daylight.  At daylight his unlovely contribution to the top of the cabin was revealed in all it’s horror.  I’ll spare you the descriptions.  Cleaning it up was quite the undertaking involving buckets of water, scrub brushes …  I am led to believe that we are now more likely to have another such visitor, perhaps based on some residual odors.  Must get out there with some Mr. Clean.

Today we had a lovely sail from Muscongus Bay to Dix Island in the Muscle Channel.  We sailed in calm waters, some of it in light breezes to begin with but the wind built slowly on the downwind leg.  Just fantastic.  Put the engine on to come into the Dix Island harbor and anchor.  We did have a late lunch as a result of the sail.  Poor Mike had a nasty experience after lunch.  He was munching down a Starburst when he choked on the candy.  He managed to cough up the bit –but into his nose!  He was able to forcefully expel this foreign object but described it as a ‘painful experience’.  I guess a bit like getting a fit of the laughter when you have a mouthful of soda.  That seems like enough gross for any day

Before we go I should mention the excellent blueberry pancakes we had for breakfast and also the visit this evening form the "Mainestay Provsion Company" run by Reilly Harvey out of a lovely looking wooden skiff. She provided us with home grown tomatoes, an excellent sesame noodle saddle and a blueberry pie, that we have yet to eat.

Gloria

Marshall Point Light

Mainstay Provision Company                                 Sleeping Cormorant

Sleeping Cormorant - close up