Haven’t been very good at keeping this blog up-to-date lately but to be honest, it is not totally my fault!

We may well be in the country where all advanced technology happens, however when it comes to wi-fi connection it is another story. It is certainly not easier here than in the Caribbean to get a good – or any at all for that matter – connection.

So, we left you at Larchmont in the Long Island Sound which was a superb overnight stop. Photo of the yacht club attached.

We then went on to the other side of the Sound, on Long Island, to Port Jefferson. Not an over exciting place but a good stop for the night.

Following day, 4^th of July, we sailed to New London and that was an experience! Very strange place but with very friendly people… Unfortunately they had no fireworks that night. They were having them 2 weeks later!

Then finally on July 5^th we joined Mark on GULLIVER in Newport. It was good to see him and we decided to cruise together until the 10^th (tomorrow) before he ships his boat by to the UK on the 12^th having found no crew to sail her back home.

So we headed for Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, on Monday and anchored in Vineyard Haven for 3 nights. The first night was idyllic: flat calm sea and gorgeous sunset. Then the following two were a lot more agitated. Northerly winds picked up and the result was a very bumpy anchorage and very wet dinghy rides! GULLIVER’s crew hired a 7 seater car for the day and we went touring the island. Not at all what I imagined. It is bigger than I thought for a start and very green. Parts of it very wealthy, others very unassuming. Loads of forests, wonderful long sandy beaches. Very quiet life. Stylish of course. Huge mansions next door to tiny little houses. All built in wood. Lovely. Some towns very posh like Edgartown with gracious homes of long-ago sea captains and elegant shops and some other ever so quaint like Menemsha a fishing port working at staying unspoiled. Dunes, white sandy beach from which to watch the world go by. Delicious sea food too.

After visiting Aquinnah, named in honour of the original Indian inhabitants (previously known as Gay Head), we went for a picnic on the beach. A truly great day.

I read somewhere that Martha’s Vineyard’s named after the daughter of the guy who bought the island in if I remember well the 1700’s for £40 and Vineyard because of the grapes he found on the island. No vineyards to be found anywhere though. We were told that the last one closed a few years ago.

Today we sailed to Fairhaven,Massachusetts, and we are tucked in alongside a pontoon in a shipyard. Quite comfy to be still and safely attached to land after the last two nights. Hopefully we will sleep well tonight…We had a cracking sail today. About 20kts of wind. Just right. Really enjoyed it.

Mike is ashore on his folding bike. He took three laundry bags with him (he looked like a Chinese Laundry!). Aren’t I lucky to have him?

Going ashore for a meal with Mark tonight so I am off galley duty. Hurrah!

Tomorrow we’ll sail back to Newport, Rhodes Island, and get the boat spic and span for the arrival of Martine and a girlfriend of hers. They are in New York now and will join us until early August.

Weather good today. The lows of the last two days seem to have passed and the forecast is good.

Mike will be flying back to London on Wednesday 22^nd July to visit his Grandson Jay in Brighton and will return on the 26^th. Unfortunately, due the flight ticket price I can’t accompany him. I would have loved to cuddle little Jay but will have to be happy just looking at the photos and wait for November when we will return to the UK. Emma and Jamie are all well too and it is such a joy to know that they are happy and all going well. A beautiful family.

Hope you are all fine. Thank you to all of you who are sending us emails regularly with your news. We love reading them.

Bisous a tous

Catxx (and Mike)