Day 20 - Brunswick GA - Portsmouth VA
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Fri 20 Apr 2018 17:28
Slipped away from Coinjock marina for the last leg of this journey - knowing there were some hazards along the way .. very shallow waters across Coinjock Bay, swing and bascule bridges and a lock to negotiate before our Portsmouth arrival. Not to mention tugs and barges!
First a 20-25 knot head bitterly cold head wind across Coinjock Bay - with only a narrow channel and less than 1m of water depth either side - no room for any mistakes. Friends on their motor launch "Hakuna Matada" past us slowly as we edged across the bay - a full 2 ½ hours of nervous steering before we reach North landing River and the multiple twists and turns, but at least out of the wind and waves. Even the Osprey's nesting on the navigation markers were feeling the cold! Passing a poor fellow yachtsman struggling to get his disabled boat north - this was the second time we had seen him but no help requested, he seemed to progressing slowly!
Passing through lowland grasses, trees surrounded by its "knees" and glorious fresh green spring leaves breaking out. Although, the peace and tranquil was shattered by low flying military jets screaming overhead!
Eventually, we reached industrial Virginia on our approach to Portsmouth, through numerous bridges (road and rail), delaying us considerably after a long delay and thence alongside a huge military shipbuilding / repair yard we could turn into Ocean marina and tie up in time for sundowners and the sound of "Taps" being played in the Naval yard!!
Phil and Di
