Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Lay of the Land


The Lay of the Land   …   Saturday June 7, 2014

After breakfast, we went to shore.  Our two objectives were to talk to someone in the front office and to get Mike to his appointment with Capt. Phil and the ‘Ruth’.  Our trip to the front desk was somewhat derailed by a lot of activity with higher priority.  We will need to go back with our questions on Monday.  When it came time to board the M/V Ruth, it looked like we were going to be out of luck.  The scenic cruise for this morning was fully booked.  Coast Guard regulations limit the number of passengers and crew (not that we would be considered crew).  Fortunately at the last minute two people failed to turn up and we jumped aboard.

The purpose was to get Mike oriented with the workings of the resort’s vessel.  The hope is that he will be driving that boat when the other two captains are not available.  I just went along to start to get some sense of the local area (let’s be honest, I’m nosy).  As the morning was clear with beautiful blue skies and a gentle northerly breeze, it was a lovely trip up to Cundy’s Harbor and the Basin (a good hurricane hole).  We even managed to spot a Bald Eagle while underway.

After lunch, we set off in Cotinga to explore some options for trips.  Mike had been pouring over the chart during breakfast and had some destinations in mind. We headed west from Sebasco Harbor toward Bailey’s Island.  We took a look at a couple of coves that might provide an anchorage for a lunch trip.  All the while the breeze was freshening, having gone right round to the south.  Our return course took us past Ragged Island (another potential destination).  By the time we were off Ragged Island, we were zipping along at seven plus knots with the main sail and partially furled genoa.  The final leg provided down wind sailing at a somewhat more sedate pace.  Overall it was a great sail, even if one eye had to be looking out for lobster pots at all times.

I think we are starting to have an idea of the local geography, although there’s plenty more to find out. 

Gloria


The shot you've all been waiting for … Cotinga with her new paint work and canvas work


Just look at that reflection in the awl grip !


Our next-door neighbors arrived just as I was out taking photos of Cotinga


A tighter shot that I like because it has more background and a sense of the beauty of the location



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