Day 2 - Portsmouth VA - Cape May NJ
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Thu 17 May 2018 17:42
Patches of cloud cleared during the night to offer brief glimpses of Jupiter shining bright amongst the thousands of stars in the dark infinity of space. The wind lightened, then strengthened, then lightened again - a typical variable night!
Eventually, a cold dawn beckoned on the eastern horizon, as the off-watch crew slept with the cushion "comforter", motor-sailing in the lighter morning winds lighter morning winds.
A busy morning as ships and fishing boats entering and leaving the Delaware Bay fill the navigation screen with AIS data "bandits all around, man the battle stations"!! A brief spell of poor visibility in a sea mist (down to 50 yards) - didn't help the situation, but all was well with a few "blows" on the fog horn - thankfully, no near misses.
Fifty miles from our Cape May waypoint the wind began to pick up from the east (as predicted) , providing a lively sail and chance to shake out the self-tacking jib. Picking up a tired passenger (a yellow finch) on the way trying very hard to enter the spray-hood!
At last, through the breakwaters and into Cape May harbour, a brief wait for the bascule bridge to open and into the marina channel past the fishing fleet.
All secured, a chance to rest and enjoy another brew of coffee, before dinner and a long night's sleep!
Phil and Mark
