Day 9 - Cape May NJ - Beverly MA
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Fri 8 Jun 2018 17:13
Anchor weighed, passing the restored lighthouse and out of Orient Harbour, passing a "gaggle" of cormorants in the early morning sun, a new course set for south of Plum Gut and eastward toward Block Island, past "The Ruins (a rocky outcrop - looking very ominous)! Finally we left Long Island Sound to our stern after a two day 90nm transit along the southern coastline.very pleasant.
At first very "sloppy" seas, but as predicted the wind freshened in the mid-afternoon to enable full sails and a chance to enjoy the peaceful silence of wind power. Raising Block Island by late afternoon. The "pork-chop" shaped island has a 20 mile long shoreline, high clay bluffs (cliffs( and lonely beaches, known mainly to gulls, other seabirds and the occasional seal. Often called the "Bermuda" of the north, temperatures can be 10 degrees cooler than the mainland of Rhode Island State and warmer in the winter.
A U.S. Coast Guard "Pan Pan" came over the VHF - vessel on-fire but too far from our position to render help. Hopefully, someone nearby can be of assistance.
A brief sighting of a seal head (although unconfirmed) just as we slipped through the channel and into a crowded Great Salt Pond! Anchoring in a strong 17-21kn wind on the edge of the bank was not without its concerns. Second anchor (the "Fortress") set as well as there was little room (depth) for slippage. Winds not forecast to die down until nearer mid-night and low tide was still approaching. In the end all was well and a peaceful night should await us.pizza and another Pink Panther movie to watch!
Phil and Di
