Ahoy there!

Since we left Norfolk on the 27th June we've been in Deltaville with no T-mobile coverage, although we did pick up some e-mails at the local library. At the time of writing (Sunday 10th July) at a quiet little anchorage at the end of the Potomac , still with no signal but hopefully as we   near Washington it should return.

 

Anyway, where were we?  Our last day in North Georgia was not one of our best! We'd found a nice anchorage near Coinjock before entering the last section of the ICW. We woke up to rain and it stayed with us for most of the day. Warm rain granted, but drenching. For the first time since England we had more than one cup of coffee in a day. The first bit of canal was O.K and then it opened up into wider water and the wind decided to pick up on   a tricky bit where the narrow dredged channel didn't allow for any mishaps! Then a calmer bit as we got into Virginia and eventually the sun came out as we were waiting to go through a lock. At this stage Paragon decided to have a hissy -fit and did a 180 degree turn in the lock so we ended up facing the way we came in! The lock keepers daughter (yes really!) was very kind and said it happened all the time because of the currents.

 

Then it rained again as we approached Norfolk . Norfolk  is very industrialised & has 55 square miles of naval bases. It also has a lot of bridges and nearly all of them needed special opening. Our most endearing memory was when we were outside the Steel Bascule Bridge trying to radio for a request to open. We spent 10 minutes turning circles trying to get a reply. Eventually the bridge controller radioed us and asked us want we wanted. What did she think we were doing! By this stage we were very wet, tired and looking forward to a quiet anchorage and hot showers. No chance! Because of the huge military presence, anchoring is very restricted and the designated areas were only off the main channel with barges, tugs etc. going past, not what we are used to. So we decided to carry on a bit further to Willoughby Bay , just outside Norfolk which looked a slightly better bet. Unfortunately this opens up to the southern tip of the Chesapeake and that day strong winds. Eventually anchored at 8.30, sat and watched the anchor for an hour and ate supper at 10.30.

The following day we stayed in the bay as we had to go ashore to find Chesapeake charts as our current ones stopped at Norfolk . An unsuccessful marina/ chandlers hunt ensued. We did find a supermarket however and decided, despite reservations, to try wine boxes. The reason is that rubbish can become an issue on a boat and so a 5 litre box is the equivalent of 5-8 bottles. Having read the box however we will bring our own alcohol supply if invited to an American party. Their serving suggestion, for a party, is one - yes one - serving per person! Still the Merlot doesn't taste too bad.

 

On Tuesday we left for Deltaville. Weather was kind and we just wanted to get out of Norfolk . Deltaville is listed in the pilotage guides as a good place for sailboats with a lot of services, and it wasn't a long day so we could sail. Two headsails went up fine and then up went the mainsail. Well it would of gone up if it hadn't ripped from one side to the other. So the rest of the trip was gloomy. The sail is contemporary to the boat so we speculated that it ripped through old age and   we  would need a new one, which would certainly blow the next few months cruising budget. If it could be repaired then there was the logistics of getting to the sail loft, how long would it take and all the other ensuing problems.

 

We got to the  Jackson Creek anchorage at Deltaville late afternoon. It had a tricky entrance but was worth it as it was very pretty with some nice houses and a marina. The following day was   rainy so we stayed on board. Thursday we went to the marina to find out local information. They had one of our favourite systems. You can anchor where you like and pay a small fee ($35 each p/p p/wk) to use all the facilities   - showers, laundry, swimming pool and an air conditioned lounge. The only problem was four British boats! Anyway the dockmaster said there were two sail lofts and gave us a list of all the facilities of Deltaville. We could also use their bicycles for free. Unfortunately Sharon is very fussy about her bikes and these you  braked by pedalling backwards! But there was a tandem which we used all the time. Jerry at the sail loft was brilliant ,( Latellsails.com). He came & collected the sail and after examining it said it was in good condition and did we want it back tomorrow! We had decided by then to stay for the Independence Day celebrations so agreed after the weekend. We also asked if he could shorten it as the previous owner had raised the boom but not shortened the sail so it didn't set right. He had also broken   the leach line. All this Jerry quoted at just over $200! Andrew was so pleased, having mentally spent $2000 that he bought a gas barbecue and we ordered a custom made sun awning from Jerry as well!

 

Saturday was the 4th July parade which was great fun. Lots of church baking had gone on , we can vouch for the blueberry crumble cake. That evening we sat on the boat watching all the firework displays. And one of the gardens had the most amazing number of fireflies.

 

If anyone asks us how long we'd stayed in Deltaville we would have said 4/5 days - but it ended up 10 days! Everything we needed was only a tandems ride a way and lots of the things we had said "When we get to Chesapeake ....." got done. Hurricane Dennis was giving some cruisers concern as it got to strength 4 (out of 5) and had a wobble over Cuba but it looked like breaking over land over Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Apparently the Appalachians should protect us from anything in the Chesapeake , although we may get rain. But we do listen to the weather reports frequently.  

 

We are now definitely in the Chesapeake and heading slowly north. Partly in the hopes it will get cooler - fat chance as there hasn't been a day under 84 and only a couple of nights under 70, but mainly because the water gets less saline and so you don't get the sea nettles (jelly fish). It's quite funny looking at the 'gunkholers guide' as so many of the names are familiar, Oxford , Cambridge & Norfolk are just a few. But we are looking forward to some interesting anchorages and a few 'zero dollar' days to make up for our   Deltaville spending spree!

 

Warm regards

Sharon & Andrew