Woke very early (5am) this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep so just got up and started my engine checks and then proceeded to change my anchors. This I did in the dark by headlight. I had replaced the ground tackle with a large new anchor and chain only to find that the windlass was missing a part that strips the chain off the windlass as it goes into the anchor locker. So, can’t use it until I get the part. Hence the change back to the previous system which I rate as adequate but not great.
Mary took herself off the the Marina office to claim back the tax on the fuel they had charged us. Non-Virginia registered boats are exempt from tax on fuel. But they still charged us yesterday even knowing that we have a NZ registered boat. That’s -1 for Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth Virginia!!!
Then we headed out with plenty of time to make the opening of the first of many bridges. Of course, with boating, nothing is set in stone and we certainly didn’t bank on getting stuck behind a huge freighter manoeuvering into the harbour. So there we were, slowly puttering along and soon there were a whole string of boats in a line behind the freighter. Obviously none of us knew whether we could pass or stay behind. And if we passed and the ship started turning, then what?? Dilemma! Decision! What to do, what to do?? Should we pass and make the opening or stay and possibly miss it?
Well we followed, and followed, and followed at a snail’s pace. The time for the bridge opening getting closer and closer and if we missed it we would have to wait another hour for the next scheduled opening.
Of course, it only takes one – not me this time – to take the gap and the rest of us followed in close succession – all assuming that the first boat knew what he was doing!! Naturally, the passing manoeuvres were not conducted in the widest part of the harbour but the narrowest – go figure!!
We arrived at the bridge before it opened with a huge collection of yachts waiting to go through. As the bridge opened, it was just a mass of boats converging on the narrow gap to get through (think cars getting out of a parkade after some sports event). All this in order to get to the next scheduled opening of our next obstacle – a lock which only opened at 11.00 and 1.30.
Fortunately, we all arrived in plenty of time and actually had to wait around for about 30 min for the lock to open. Another interesting experience with the whole line of boats waiting in line, trying to maintain a position without being blown around. Well, we all (12 boats – they had had 18 a few days earlier) made it in and the friendly lock keeper helped all the boats tie up. The gates then closed and the water was let in and we all ascended by 8 feet. A very interesting experience and not half as bad as the books claim!
The rest of the day was an easy 5-6 knot meander down the very beautiful Dismal Swamp to the Visitors centre where we had read there was 150 feet of docking space. So we arrived there and the space is all taken by 3 boats and another one rafted up next to the front one. What do we do, Mary? Move further? To where? Raft up? Never done this!! How do we go about it?
Fortunately, a boater was on his yacht and started waving us in to raft up next to him. Thanks Chip and Pat of Sea Room J
That wasn’t the end of it though and soon there were 12 boats all rafted together with us slap bang in the middle, the only power boat sticking out like a sore thumb with our tall flybridge and blue bimini!!
We went for a walk around the reserve where Mary spotted a snake (trust her to see this as the only wildlife there!!) and then had drinks and nibbles with Jack and Carol of Tribute who had rafted up to us and met Ann and Neville of Peace (rafted up outside of Tribute), plus Chip and Pat.
Collapsed into bed at about 9 and had a wonderful sleep.
