Beaufort, NC

SY Cookielicious
Private
Wed 8 May 2013 19:30
34:42.91N
76:39.84W

We had a good night motor sailing in the Gulfstream, and a bit more of that in the morning. In the early afternoon we could turn of the engine for a few hours but late afternoon it all petered out so we ended up motoring again. We thought we would have had more use of the Gulfstream, but in the end that did not even last for a day. Light winds, 8 - 13 kts, between WSW and WNW.

However, it was a bright sunny day and we could feel the vicinity of land without being able to see it. More boat traffic, amongst which dolphin watch boats, and more seabird life. The waters of the Outer Banks looked very attractive, apart from their temperature of 17.5 deg C, versus Gulfstream water of 24.5 deg C.

Sounds like time for the land bird update. The Cookie-coloured bird # 7 took off in the morning, refreshed after a good nights sleep under the sprayhood, some preening and stretching in the early daylight hours. It could actually have made it to land, or may be on board Fuerte, about 120 Nm behind us. It was about then that we discovered that the little meadow wader, bird #6, had not left us at all, but was hanging on for dear life near the foot of the mast. It looked almost hypothermic, getting the full brunt of the apparent wind out there. Wished we could have transferred it to the cockpit, but then it might get scared and fly off, so left it there, shivering. With the sun getting higher, the bird got more relaxed and started ambling all around the foredeck, funny to watch. In the afternoon it found a comfy spot on the bow roller where it could warm up and it was out of harm's way. When we were less than 2 miles out and well within sight of land we saw # 6 go for the toe rail, staring at the distant land and gaining courage for the plunge. And off it went, spreading its wings towards the land. It should have made it after a full night and day's rest on board! So it seems that we had at least one positive result on Cookie, the bird sanctuary. All that is left to do now is clear up all these little bird poo's, but that's nothing compared to the damage one seagull dropping could do.

We took the royal entrance into Beaufort, taking the big boats buoyed channel, although we could have chosen to go on the outside of the buoys. It felt however that Cookie deserved a glorious entry as she has behaved so well on this leg. Totally encrusted in dried up sea water, Geoff said she resembled a salt encrusted tuna. A tricky entrance into the tidal channel made that we were "crabbing" our way up the first part of the channel. Rounding beautiful marshy Carrot Island with its wild horses in plain view and then, around the corner: there was Beaufort! Tied up to the dock after 1,408 miles after 10 days on board. Time to see if we could still walk. Dock office first, where they were kind enough to supply us with free beer tokens. That was a nice welcome! A bit chilly on the terrace though, we better get used to that quickly as that will only get worse further North.

We could even still walk after that beer so next a bite to eat - nice to see a different style menu than chicken roti's and conch fritters; enjoyed it very much. We are however very tired so an early night for us tonight! Cookie's already massaged to sleep by the noise of thousands of shrimp clicking away under water, we won't be far behind her.

Tomorrow we will have a day ashore, clearing customs, washing the salt of Cookie, fuelling up and a little provisioning AND another good nights sleep before we intend to carry on with the next leg. Until then!

Cheers,
Geoff & Merel