Our position is: 39:09.171N 76:30.243W

I flew to Baltimore on Friday and was met by Ted and Susan Steele (our hostess for the week). The warmth (weather and welcome) and dryness made a pleasant change from the UK. Susan’s husband Marshall was still away working and Moorglade was secured to their dock alongside their shiny Beneteau, Moonlight Sail. On Saturday Susan took us on a tour of Annapolis and we were also able to provision both boats for the coming cruise at a convenient supermarket. That evening we cooked on board entertaining Susan and also Marshall on his return around 9pm. Ted impressed as usual with bananas flambé. On Sunday they took us to the service at the Naval Academy chapel before we motored together the mile up South River to the nearby marina to refuel and pump out to be ready for the cruise. On our return to Crab Creek we went alongside Serafina, another British yacht anchored in Crab Creek, to say hallo. They were moving on to Baltimore but we also met Keith and Nicky there, Britons on the cruise who had motored over with their host on a similar mission. On Sunday afternoon we were joined by Joe, our American friend from Antigua who was sailing with us for the week.

Sunday evening was the formal, welcome dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club, where all the British guests were entertained royally and issued with gifts and the programme for the week. There were many members of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake there, not just those going on the cruise and it was great to meet them and also the other Britons, who would be sailing on either chartered or members boats. A highlight of the evening was when the guests were introduced to the assembled diners by their hosts. Marshall made it sound as if we had sailed over specially, although the Chesapeake and the cruise has been our target for so long it almost feels as if that was the case! Mr Jim Cheevers, the curator of the Naval Academy museum, gave a very interesting speech outlining an historical overview of the events of the war of 1812.

Monday morning we were up bright and early to top up the water and head off down South River and up the bay, under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, to Rock Creek, at the mouth of the Patapsco River. The weather was disappointingly cool and overcast but before long we were able to deploy the cruising chute, albeit with support from the engine so we could keep up with Moonlight Sail, (where Marshall and Susan had impressed their small poodle cross Maximus as crew) and, as the evening’s entertainment started early, we were soon in the creek and rafted with the Breens and their guest John, on Adagio. A welcome move as it meant we would not have to clean the mud off the anchor in the morning. Moonlight Sail was forming part of a big raft, on which there was a drinks and nibbles party for everyone, but joined our raft later and we all ate a delicious meal aboard Adagio. The drinks on the raft of boats worked brilliantly as drinks, people and nibbles moved up and down the row, meeting new people and chatting to club members and British guests alike. We started on Dave and Lois’s (not forgetting Oliver, the Pomeranium) Aquavit, where their guests were David and Persephone Lewin. Persephone had brought her trumpet with her and was able to blow the appropriate signal for the striking of the colours. (She is also the author of a very interesting book on forensic dentistry and has appeared on Britain’s Got Talent).

The view from Marshall & Susan's dock                                                                              This guy did amazing things with buffalo horn (and other historic activities)

The outside of the State House in Annapolis                                    and one of the modern day chambers. The board lists the members and they vote with buttons on their desks

Central hallway in the State House with lag of the original Union              They are proud of the "Benjamin Franklin rod" on the roof of the State House

Thurgood Marshall, a lawyer who fought for equal rights  and a typical old street in Annapolis. The further flag is the state one designed to unite those who fought on either side in the civil war

Views of Annapolis

You can even take historic tours by kayak                                                                     Chapel at the Naval Academy

Welcome dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club                                                               Leaving South River round the Thomas Point lighthouse

Joe steering under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge                                                       Giving the big coloured one an airing

Starting the raft party on Aquavit - even Oliver seems to be listening intently to the conversation

  Followed by dinner on Adagio - (clockwise from bottom left) Joe, Susan, Ted, Marshall, John, Dick and Maximus