Down the ICW to Florida

 

October 15, 2010 - Norfolk VA, United States

Waiting for the lock

We left Deltaville and headed down the ICW to find some warmth further south. We finally met with snow-birds heading south for the winter, which made the trip more interesting, if crowded. Here we were waiting for the lock to Enter the Dismal swamp canal, early in the morning.

In the lock at the Dismal swamp

In the lock with other cruisers bound for The Bahamas

Dismal swamp. Not dismal just long.

Once in the Dismal swamp it was a long days motor down a tree lined canal. A little different to the alternative of rounding cape Hatteras with an opposing wind.

Staff accommodation is never glam

And more to see on the canal than on the open sea.

You wouldn't want that up your stern

The canal had some funding to dredge the shallower parts with this pretty mean looking tool.

Testing the wash down pump

Whilst under way we had time for some work. Barney installed a new wash down system to jet wash the mud from the anchor when we pulled up black stuff from the bottom.

DI working hard making cushion covers

Di continues with the sewing projects.

Working hard growing the porn tash

Barney also worked hard at his new porn tash. Didn't last long.

Sunset on the ICW

Always enjoyed the sunsets in the sheltered anchorages.

Heading south from Maine to warmer places

 

October 1, 2010 - Rockland ME, United States

After spending the Summer enjoying the peace and beauty of Maine, we then realised why it was not so busy, it was getting cold pretty quickly. So like good snow-birds, we headed south.

Newport Bridge in the mist

First stop was Newport RI for Barney to complete a 2 week yacht master course and exam.

Fellow students on the Yachtmaster course

A week in the classroom, then a week off to hide from a gale, then a week day sailing to get my Yacht Master Offshore CI. Its been a long time coming. Passed with flying colours, I think I was the only one in doubt. Got a good qualification and met some great new friends.

Cruise ship

Whilst we were in Newport we met up with an old repping friend if Di's, Michelle, who was working on this cruise ship, so we got to have a look around. We still prefer our SeaGal.

Sewing cushion covers

After Newport we headed back into the Chesapeake, and a quick trip to Annapolis, MD. We did some shopping in SailRite for sewing materials and Di started on the long project of renewing the blue fabric on the boat. First step was the cockpit cushion covers.

Supplies!

Next stop was Deltaville to visit a few friends in our favourite boat yard. Liz and Chris on Zulia were still completing the longest fit out in history ( 3years and counting). We stocked up on beer. After exhaustive research we discovered that Virginia was the cheapest place to buy beer on the east coast of the USA. $11 for a case of 24. It wasn't enough.

Back to Sea Gal for another Summer in New England

 

August 14, 2010 - Deltaville VA USA , United States

It took away from France back to our yacht

It took us 2 minutes to decide that our yacht needed us. We took the cheapest flight we could find, which was via Iceland ( only a couple of weeks after a big volcano erupted and closed Europe's air space for a week)

Viking beer in Iceland

As you can see we were happy get moving and back towards Sea Gal.

Viking beer in Iceland

Having some appropriately named Viking beer in Iceland to celebrate.

Hard work in the boat yard

Back in the yard with with Frankie and the gang.

Hannah & Crystal

Meeting Hannah the new member of the team.

Glad to see her lifted back to the water

We were very happy to see Sea Gal lifted out of the stands and put back in the water for our next adventure.

The Liquidator ( sounds like a kitchen appliance )

A few sights to get used to back in the USA, the rather over powered boats that you see on the waterways, this one of the more lurid examples. Loud, gas guzzling and named after a kitchen appliance.

Don't walk to beach, drive.

I remember in my childhood driving for miles down country lanes to then walk to deserted beaches carrying our lunch and towels to find the perfect deserted spot. The exact opposite seems to be driving your truck on to the beach and parking next to your neighbour just so you don't waste any energy that may be needed to flip the burger on the BBQ.

Our second fish ever !

Whilst waiting for Di to get ready to go out, which is not usually very long compared to your average woman, I caught our 2nd fish ever. Lucky for the fish we were going out, so he went swimming.

Finally started to paint the deck

We finally started the long and awkward job of painting the deck, particularly awkward when you are living on the boat. It took about 7 months in the end.

Sunset from Newport

A quick stop in Newport on the way north to book a Yacht Master course and admire the sunsets.

Small islands and lobster pots to avoid

We headed up to Maine again to explore the small rocky inlets and islands, trying to avoid the lobster pots on the way.

Low tide

Tidal ranges are high, but anchorages are plentiful and often empty.

Leaving a perfect anchorage

Places like this held us for several days before we felt we better move on to the next.

Another anchorage in the forests of Maine

The next was just as nice as the last.

At one with the solar panels

A skipper at one with his solar panels. Extra 2 installed this year to make 4 kept us self sufficient in the sunnier climates. In the rainier places ( like Gloucester ) not so much.

Mount Desert summer 'cottages'

We made it as far north as Mount Desert where we spend the week hiding from a hurricane and admiring the large and small holiday cottages that graced the shore.

At anchor in Maine, Penobscot Bay

In general we just enjoyed spending time in a peaceful and temperate land drifting here and there on our home, Sea Gal.

Delivery trip in Greece

 

May 20, 2010 - Athens, Greece

After a long winter of work we were ready for a holiday and managed to grab a last minute booking on a charter company delivery trip. The trip was for 3 weeks starting in Nidri, Lefkas, Geece, where we first met. Taking a Moody 31 'Sami' to her Summer cruising ground In the NW Aegean.

Dinner with old friends

We spent a couple of days in Nidri and caught up with old friends who still lived in Greece.

Our Moody 31 Sami

Then left on 'Sami' to catch up with the rest of the Fleet of 25 boats for the journey through parts of Greece that many charter flotillas do not go. Lots of nostalgia as this was a route I had done myself a few times with the same group of boats.

Interesting Beer

Tried not to tell old stories of 'how I did it in my day', mainly by keeping busy drinking beer like this tasty local brew!

Through the Corinth Canal

We had the joy of sailing through the magnificent Corinth Canal.

Traditional Corinth canal dress and drink

And made sure we had on the traditional Coninthian Costume.

Sunset Nisos Stera

Watch magnificent sunsets from parts of Greece we had not sailed.

Swimming

Swam in turquoise waters.

View from the top of Nisos Kyra Panagia

Climbed to the top of deserted islands.

Refreshment at the top of Nisos Kyra Panagia

and enjoyed the rewards of a tough climb.

All in all a lovely was to spend 3 weeks. Unfortunately this was not earning us money, so we headed for the south of France to try to bag a job on a super yacht.

After 2 weeks of hard job hunting we headed to Italy for our first job. Unfortunately although the boat was lovely, the owner was not and we ended up back in France.

The season was well under way, work was thin on the ground, and we had our own yacht waiting in the USA. It was a tough decision on what to do next.

End of a season on Sea Gal and Winter 2010

 

January 11, 2010 - Gloucester Courthouse VA, United States

We spent the last couple of weeks on Sea Gal enjoying the Chesapeake autumn, and looking forward to central heating when we found a house to live in.

End of season sunset.

We enjoyed the last few sunsets and took some friends from the boatyard for a sail, to remind them of what it was, or show them something new.

End of season sail

Sea Gal finally got hauled out for the winter into Shroeders Yard and tucked up with anti-freeze and zip-lock bags.

Lifting SeaGal at the end of the season

Before we left there was a party, for some it was the end of the summer season, for others the start of the winter migration to the Caribbean, for the rest an excuse to drink beer and eat oysters.

Oyster roast

Lucy and Rick from 'Flying Cloud' are heading to the southern Caribbean

Shroeders end of season/new season party

We had time for a quick visit to the UK. Barney caught up with young niece and nephew Josie and Rory. Both getting bigger by the minute.

Rory and Josie

We were also lucky enough to be in the country for Paul and Marys wedding in Godstone. It was great to catch up with lots of old school friends, and very nice of them to all come to one place to save us all that travelling.

James and Becky

Bob and Nuala

Paul and Mary getting married

In December 2009 Diane and Barney started a new job in a luxury ski chalet in Veysonnaz, Switzerland

Barney had a new ride to drive in his job at Hidden Dragon.

Barney's wheels at the Hidden Dragon

An old friend, Lindsay, came to work at the Hidden Dragon chalet as the house keeper.

Lindsay an old friend, housekeeper al the Hidden Dragon.

Jon the chef picks out a new handbag.

Jon the Chef at Hidden Dragon

We met Carol Sneddon who was the therapist it the chalet

Carol, therapist at the Hidden Dragon, wears a helmet at the bar, go figure.

After half the winter season we moved back to Klosters and Davos. Stayed with an old friend Teresa and soon started work in the Chalet Tivoli.

In Davos we enjoyed the skiing and the stuff that comes after( and before and during )

Barney and Diane

In Davos the scenery was beautiful and the valleys peaceful.

A stream near Klosters

Sometimes the job included some strange duties, such as igloo building.

Igloo

Speeding South

 

October 10, 2009 - Yorktown VA, United States

After a week in Newport it was time to move on. We sailed on to Grotton CT to visit Dave who we met on the course and his wife Sue. After waiting for a few days for the weather to let us out we sailed down the Long Island sound and through New York. Spent a day washing clothes, then sped south whilst the wind was good to Ocean City MD. Our longest single trip yet of nearly 200 Miles.

After a rest in Ocean City we sailed another overnight trip to a creek near Yorktown VI. The weather then turned cold and rainy and we stayed huddled below waiting for some sunshine to help us on the last stretch of the season back to the boat yard.