Lack of mud and other matters

Lack of mud and other matters   …   Tuesday 3rd June 2014

41 30.602 N, 70 42.393 W

It’s not often that you find yourself concerned over the lack of mud.  Raising the anchor, though, is one of those times.  It was strangely troubling to raise the anchor this morning in Foglands and find that there was no mud on it.  Perhaps, the anchor was never really imbedded in the bottom. Thankfully, the winds had died overnight and the holding power of the anchor was never tested.

We set off this morning at about 8 am.  The wind was from the south and very light.  We motored out past the lighthouse at Sakonnet Point and then turned northeast toward Buzzard’s Bay.  Once we had set the sails we were making about four and a half knots, aided by some current.  The boat remained flat and moved along smoothly.  Tranquil would be the term for this part of the day.  Things remained calm through our (somewhat early) lunch. 

After lunch, I felt compelled to stretch out on the bench seat and inspect the lining of my eyelids.  Less the halfway through the full inspection, the boat suddenly healed over and I was nearly dumped onto the cockpit sole.  My rest time was over.

The wind continued to propel the boat in a mostly easterly direction, until I foolishly placed my hands on the wheel.  Within minutes the wind has died back to almost nothing and swung round to have us heading nearly due north.  First the weather gods didn’t want me napping but then, seemingly, they didn’t want me steering the boat either.  Once my brother, Rod, took the helm, the wind slowly increased and swung back to the south.  We were speeding along nicely by the time we approached Wood’s Hole. 

Wood’s Hole is a narrow passage of water between the mainland of the Cape and Naushon Island.  It has a reputation for huge currents and was one of those places I never wanted to go.  Happily, we turned off into Hadley Harbor very soon, before really entering the narrow portion.  Hadley Harbor is a lovely, sheltered anchorage.  Some crew members spent the warm afternoon in the cockpit completing a crossword puzzle.  Others were taking photos that we hope to include here.

Gloria

Cotinga anchored in the early morning light at "Fogland" in the Sakonnet River

Great sailing in Buzzards Bay

The bow of Cotinga - see that Awlgrip shine !

Local ferry passes us at anchor in Hadley Harbor

Fruit sling in motion - scurvy is not in our plans!