A Tale of Two Chemists: Closing the loop … 25th

Closing the loop … 25^th – 26^th June 2018

We had a pleasant stay at the Coinjock Marina that included a mega dinner in the restaurant. Someone ate ALL of a 16 oz prime rib with baked potato (after half a starter of peal and eat shrimp). Someone else ate the blackened trigger-fish with mango and jalapeno salsa. There might be something a bit sick about eating a fish that you have previously admired while snorkeling. All that eating and yet another thunderstorm led to a pretty disturbed night of sleep.

Six am seemed to arrive way too soon. After a quick cup of coffee we were getting underway. Having been packed in tight to the stern of the boat ahead and to the bow of the boat behind, the captain used his fancy maneuvering skills to get the boat out into the channel. We were soon underway. The morning was cool with north-west breeze. We saw bald eagles and many egrets in the marshes and cypress swamps of the first twenty miles. Then the fun began---bridge openings one after another on a fixed time schedule. We hit the first one a bit early for the 10:30 opening. The third bridge (or was it the forth?) was timed to the lock transit. Sadly, having left all the lines on the starboard side in preparation for the lock tie-up, you guessed it we needed a port tie-up. Mike was jumping around like a flea. Having made it through the lock we felt a great sense of relief. Just a couple of open railroad bridges and one lifting bridge to go.

The route goes through some of the most industrial landscape that I’ve ever seen. It seemed more so than when we were here six years ago. Possibly then I was so freaked out about the bridges that I never noticed the scenery. Soon we were into the area of the Naval Ship Yard. We saw two aircraft carriers and plenty of other war ships. This time no one came chasing after us to say that we were doing 6kts in a 5kt zone. Turning the corner the Portsmouth hospital and anchorage came into view.

Once the hook was down, we lazed around, ate dinner watched a video and stayed up past boaters midnight. No thunderstorm woke us, there was a cool breeze....

For Mike, returning to Norfolk is closing the loop on the Caribbean leg of the adventure. He left from here in early November and now in late June, he’s back. It must be a huge sense of accomplishment for him. Even though I didn’t go on the outward leg, I feel that we’ve made a big journey—all at less than 10 mph!

Hospital Point anchorage, Portsmouth, VA : 36 50.66 N, 76 18.02 W

Gloria

We had a lovely quiet evening and a good night’s sleep – we completely forgot to set the anchor alarm but all was quiet. Today (Tuesday) we got a few boat jobs done in the morning, mostly cleaning, but we also ordered some spare fuel filters and water separators as we have used most of what we set out with. In the afternoon we took the dinghy to shore and had a great time meeting up with Charlotte and Klaus at the Portsmouth Bier Garden. (Charlotte is Gloria’s sister-in-law Fran’s sister and Klaus her husband). It’s really hard to believe we haven’t seen them since we passed through Norfolk in the autumn of 2012. It was wonderful to catch up and three hours passed in a flash. The food and beer were also excellent. Thanks for a lovely evening!

Mike

Charlotte and Klaus at the Portsmouth Bier Garden

Portsmouth river front ... a sail boat (Hinkley), a paddleboat ferry, a construction barge and an aircraft carrier in dock on the Norfolk side of the river.