A little despondent about our outboard, we knew we could not go to our preferred location of the 79th Boat Basin without it working as the current runs at 4 knots here. Although Doogie is a very strong rower, I am not sure even Steve Redgrave could have managed in that amount of tide! We had a magical sail back round under the Verazzano Bridge and up towards the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. Wow, the view was amazing- it really took our breath away. We made our way right around Liberty, and just behind her is a tiny boat basin where you can anchor. We knew we could row ashore here as the current is minimal.

When we arrived, we recognised a fellow cruiser from Norfolk- Michael and Sheila on their Ketch Kantala. Michael kindly offered to row the children and me ashore (there is a fabulous park and play area in Liberty park) and he helped Douglas to fix the outboard. We were so excited and grateful when the outboard worked again.  This meant we were able to move right up to the 79th Boat Basin which is a great central location and good transport connections to the whole of Manhattan Island. We did not do this, however until we had had Michael (his wife Sheila was away for a few days) onboard Arion for a really lovely and fun evening.

Once at the 79th Boat Basin, we picked up a mooring buoy in the hudson river. We have never seen such strong current- you needed all your might to bring Ladybird alongside Arion to get in her and run the engine in order to untie her from Arion. When the wind and tide were against each other it really was quite rough, so it was a rocky rolly couple of weeks, but the location and easy access to the city far outweighed all of this.

We managed to catch up with plenty of people whilst in New York. Jamie Holmes and Katherine who were over for a wedding, came for supper. Jamie kindly lent Douglas his DJ to wear on the cruise ship, as we had been scanning the Charity shops of Manhattan for a DJ without much success (either far too big, or the arms FAR too short!!) miraculously Jamie and Douglas must be exactly the same size as it fits perfectly!! The next night we had supper with my cousin Eleanor and her family. We had not seen them for a number of years so that was great fun. Last, but not least we were able to spend the afternoon with the one and only Jo Mason, who sailed with me in the Firefly. We had not seen her for 6 years, so it was fab to catch up and take her for a sail around Manhattan.

New York was such fun and the 79th Boat Basin is a great location, provided you do not mind the waves and strong current. Our last night in NYC, we went back around to the little anchorage behind the statue of Liberty to have supper with Wal and Hedda on Antares and the next day, with Ti Sento also, the three boats made their way round Manhattan Island, and under the Brooklyn Bridge towards Long Island Sound. 

A soggy Birthday tea onboard Arion for Alice’s 3rd Birthday!! Lots of fun!!!

Motoring up towards Manhattan Island with a stowaway onboard!!!!!