Eventually we left New York City yesterday and started to head south towards the Chesapeake. The restrictions had only just been lifted to allow pleasure boats to use New York Harbour.  It was re-opened on Friday, but to commercial traffic only.  There was some debate as to whether the waterway was officially open but, having been stuck in the marina for what seemed like ages, we decided to make a run for it.  Also, another reason for heading out yesterday was the new storm that is coming through.  Having read the recent forecasts, we knew a storm would hit on Wednesday, from the north east and bring very unpleasant weather with it.  We had to either leave yesterday or stay in New York until Friday.  

Leaving New York was actually quite an emotional experience, we have been through quite a lot over the last week, but was was really heartening was that the little ferry from Jersey City to New York, across the Hudson River was running again and there was a queue of people waiting at the dock.  We also saw a train running through the city - fabulous to see as it is a sure sign that normal life is starting to resume in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  

We saw that the Staten Island ferry was also running and got quite a shock when we realised that it had a coastguard boat guarding it, and that the boat was heavily armed with a tripod mounted machine gun on the bow!  Not sure what the ferry was carrying, but I don't think it was the usual commuters!!  Also, as we passed the Statue of Liberty, a Coast Guard boat quickly positioned itself between us and the statue to ensure that we kept a reasonable distance from the island.

 Lady Liberty with her US Coastguard cutter keeping boats outside the exclusion zone. 

 Manhattan Island - the cranes are still on top of the Freedom Tower despite Sandy's best efforts!

 This is the Ellis Island Immigration Centre - unfortunately the museum was flooded and destroyed last week as was the State Park ferry terminal

The weather - well, I can't tell you how cold it was or how many layers we had on - needless to say our normally comfy foul weather gear was quite tight!  We had wrapped up well but still it was freezing, and about 4pm yesterday we gave in and decided to sail the boat from inside.  This is what the boat is designed for and it seemed stupid to say the least to freeze outside when we could sit in the nice warm saloon, the heating on, drinking tea and keeping watch!  As we were quite close to shore, we had to keep sticking our heads up to check outside, but that was all.  Due to the recent weather, there were few boats out at all, even New York Harbour was quiet, although we did see the tax haven cruise boat 'The World' heading in.  

 'The World' heads to NYC

John was delighted to be able to give his new scarf it's first outing and very much enjoyed the warm snuggly feeling of the scarf all day and night - he even slept in it!  It has been so cold in Cape May today that he still hasn't taken it off!

We have just been in a bar having drink, purely to get warmed up after our walk back from town, and they had the news on, so we were able to catch up with the news on the new storm - it will hit very hard, as it is heading for the same area that Sandy hit, and millions of people still have no power in their homes.  We are expecting high winds (50-60 knots), big tides and snow tomorrow - when will Mother Nature give us a break? Where we are the snow should be minimal but the temperature will probably stay below freezing for the next few days - oh joy!

 The Captains new scarf - it even co-ordinates with his woolly hat!

Tonight we are heading out to dinner to a restaurant very close to the marina as a treat - we last ate out over 2 weeks ago with Lance & Heather in NYC, fortunately we don't have to walk far!  It was a nice feeling today to be able to get off the boat and go for a walk having been 'kept in' for the last few days, it has been like being grounded as a teenager! 

 John with the first loaf of bread he has ever baked - he was very proud of having put the ingredients into the machine and pressing 'go'!!