Position           32:46.53N 079:56.96W

Date                1000 Friday 20 April 2012

Well, after all of our speeding up and slowing down we got to Charleston in daylight as intended and were actually alongside in the City Marina at exactly 1000, just under 3 days 3 hours from Morgan’s Bluff.  We ended up motoring for most if the night as the wind conveniently went around onto the nose however we must not complain because the rest of the trip has been a fine sail.

Bird watch report.  The swallow must have got up when nobody was looking and flown the coop because it was absent as I thought was the brown and yellow job.  Wherever it had found to roost must have been well tucked away or it is a naturally late riser as it appeared eventually looking a little windswept but chirpy.

The Mate demonstrating the same rising habits was obviously a good soul mate and perch.

Said bird had obviously by this time decided that we mere humans were no big threat.  It eventually left us, land bound, when we were about 3 miles from shore.

Charleston breakwaters were passed at 0835 just as the Charleston Sailing Week fleet, 250 strong, was going the other way for the start of racing.  It certainly kept us on our toes and was reminiscent of getting out of Burnham on Crouch at weekends.

Just to prove that we are here, this is Fort Sumter at the entrance to Charleston harbour.  Taken from the Union by the Confederates at the beginning of the Civil War it resisted counter attack for 4 years and is a much revered national heritage site.

Just another bird watch item.  This pelican’s appears to have its fisherman well organised;

Whilst we try and stay out of marinas, especially in the USA where we cannot make good use of shore power, the Charleston City Marina is excellent and the staff and service first class.  Customs and immigration are on site to visit boats to clear which simplifies matters; getting the cruising permit is another matter and takes place at the Customs House in the commercial port.  There is also fuel on the dock rather than at a fuel berth which is a first for us.