36.54.407N  076.18.492W

We managed to resist the temptations of Coinjock’s signature 32oz steaks (www.coinjockmarina.com )   and we headed off at 0700 for the final 50 miles of the Intra Coastal Waterway. Again a combination of straight stretches and ‘wiggles’ needing plenty of concentration in places, we heard on the VHF that yachts had gone aground just a few miles behind us and were waiting for the towboat. To add to this there are several low level bridges some of which open on demand and others at specific times; one large sport fishing boat would roar off after every bridge making an enormous wake and we would catch him waiting at the next bridge.

We were puzzled as we rushed for the last bridge’s scheduled opening only to discover it has been replaced with a tunnel- no wonder we couldn’t find it- our pilot is 5 years old!

Norfolk is a US Navy town and the docks are lined with naval ships in various stages of refit, we counted at least 3 aircraft carriers! Security is high and other vessels are meant to stay at least 500 yards away from a US navy ship. We were now at the end of the ICW having completed 200 miles from Beaufort.

There is an anchorage among the docks but I had noticed the Lafayette River on the chart and the pilotbook suggested a quiet anchorage but when we got there it was obvious anchoring was impractical so we availed ourselves of the facilities of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club which is very swish! We met the rear- commodore and his wife who told us that their daughter is married to a Scot and lives in Peebles ( every American we meet seems to have been to Scotland for a wedding! ) and they invited us to the very informal post race social with free food and wine and lots of very pleasant and friendly people.

Maybe I will get one of these when we come home!

Info

www.beaufortgrocery.com  - good restaurant

www.visitoriental.com