Into Maine. Freeport via Jewel Island

 

September 27, 2009 - Freeport ME, United States

We sailed north into Maine and stopped at the Isle of Shoals. We visited Smuttynose Island in the evening and had a nice walk and met the slightly mad volunteer ranger.

Smutty nose island huts

We also met his goats

Smuttynose Island goats

Smuttynose Island goats

Next door was Star Island, a Unitarian Retreat.

Star Island Retreat. NH

We knew we were in Maine as the sea was thick with lobster pot markers.

Lobster pot markers everywhere

The main sail was on its last legs, but luckily there was a new one on its way.

Old sail dying

The day we finally found the sail was very exciting and Mr Crispy, as the sail in now known, is greatly appreciated.

New main sail

Barney did get a little carried away by the moment.

Appreciating the new sail

The island was called 'Pound of Tea' I can only assume it was cheap.

Pound of Tea Island Maine

We stopped at the beautiful Jewel Island

Anchored in Jewel Island Maine

Walking on Jewel Island

and enjoyed a long walk ashore

Walking on Jewel Island

WW2 lookout towers gave great views of the islands

WWII watch tower

WWII watch tower

View from top of the tower

It was not easy to get lost either.

Not easy to get lost on Jewel Island

Long Island Sound up to Boston

 

August 10, 2009 - Provincetown MA, United States

Sailing was fantastic up the Long Island Sound and we were glad to be away from the big city.

Sailing in Long Island Sound

We stopped at the Thimbles on the North Shore where holiday homes perched on small rocks.

Thimble Islands

We visited the Hamptons and ended up in Block Island on a very busy weekend.

A busy day in Block Island

BIG Nachos

A long walk ashore rewarded with a small plate of Nachos.

After a quick trip to Newport to book onto a training course for later in the year, we headed North again up Buzzards Bay and through the Cape Cod Canal.

Cape Cod Canal

We were told it was cold up north, but still warm enough for a swim on a hot still day.

Swimming off Cape Cod

We sailed to Province Town on Cape Cod.

Cape Cod

Then into Boston Bay for some great sun sets over the city.

Sunset over Boston

New York, New York

 

July 27, 2009 - New York NY, United States

We sailed up the New Jersey Coast and into New York. Very Busy harbour with barges, ferries and tripper boats. We saw this famous lady too.

Statue of Liberty

We visited Ellis island, the immigration centre for NY for many years. Lots of interesting history and stylish architecture.

Ellis Island

After 2 days we had enough and left up the East River, nearly got landed on by a plane.

Sea Plane

Saw some crazy mansions built on the top of tower blocks

Mansions in the sky.

And were glad to escape to the relative peace on Long Island Sound.

Sailing in Chesapeake Bay

 

July 4, 2009 - Baltimore MD, United States

Shake down sail in June 09

After launching we took a few new friends from the yard sailing. Some who had never sailed, some who needed a reminder of what it was all about.

Anchored near the Washington monument

We sailed north up the Chesapeake Bay taking a week or 2 on a small side Mission to Washington DC.

Tourists in Washington

We spent two days in the noisy city and managed a few memorials, museums and statues before we could walk no more and became tired of tourism.

Getting a tow

We sailed on to Solomons Island up the bay and spent a few days watching the world go by whilst fixing the raw water pump on the engine. We watched this beautiful reproduction boat come into the harbour, but they were unable to drive away from the fuel dock and had to be towed out to see. The skipper should be flogged.

Di and the sunset

Sailing from the sunset

Once all was repaired we had some great sailing days up to Annapolis to meet our first guests of the season.

More sailing from the sunset

Iris and Wilson visit Sea Gal in USA

Iris and Wilson joined us for a week to enjoy the pleasures of cruising.

What happens after we catch it

Wilson donating some equipment and expertise to enable Barney to catch our first fish of the season, an 8 pound cat fish. Wilson also lend the will power to hit it repeatedly over the head so Iris could get it into the oven.

Osprey

A common but still wonderful sight are the Osprey nesting on the marker posts around the bay. Each week the chicks get bigger and louder.

4th July

We also enjoyed the fireworks on the 4th July, but the locals were most surprised when we said we didnt celebrate the day !

Baltimore Harbour

We then sailed into busy Baltimore to bid farewell to our guests, whilst surrounded by dragons !

Getting the boat ready for 2009

 

May 7, 2009 - Richmond VA, United States

We flew into Richmond Virginia and back to the boat yard to find our beloved Sea Gal. Then the work started.

Rested after winter and in need of paint

We scraped

Its a dirty job!

And we sanded

Endless rounds of sanding

Then we painted

The painter and her new paint

It was tough

Working hard

Then like proud parents

Proud parents

We let her go for a swim

Launching with the new paint job

Down the ramp and into the water. Off for another summer of adventure. With her new paint and plenty of repairs she was ready for the summer and we were ready for a rest.

Off to Davos in Switzerland

 

December 20, 2008 - Davos Dorf, Switzerland

After training it was off to find our new home for the winter. The beautiful Tivoli Lodge. Right on the slope, very new chalet with all the satellite, and wifi we could need. Also a wonderful pool to enjoy ( and fix ).

Chalet Tivoli

Chalet Tivoli

View from Chalet Tivoli

Lucy, Ali, Helena and Diane. Chalet Tivoli staff

First order of the day was to meet the new team. Helena , Ali, Lucy and Ayshea.

Aysha, Lucy and Alex. Chalet Tivoli staff

Lucy, Helena, Alex, Christmas 08

Then Christmas seemed to turn up pretty fast.

Lucy and Ayshea, chalet TIvoli staff

Ali and his beloved snow thrower

It kept snowing and Ali kept clearing it away.

The ski touring group Davos '09

We managed plenty of skiing on our days off, and especially memorable day was taken with Tony ski touring. Basically walking up mountains and skiing off-Piste down them. Pretty knackering for us unfit people. But great views.

Off piste skiing in Davos

Off piste skiing in Davos

Phil Smith tromping up

Near the end now Di

Off piste skiing in Davos

Off piste skiing in Davos

Off piste skiing in Davos

Barney at the top of the world

Di skiing Davos

Di's new helmet

Getting arty