Dutch Harbour, Jamestown, Rhode Island

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Thu 28 Jun 2012 03:07

41:30.15N 71:23.09W

 

 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 25th, 26th & 27th June

 

Monday ended up being either grey or raining, so not a good day for cycling round Block Island.  I had ambitiously run the washing machine as it had seemed quite a nice day to  start with, unexpectedly - which instantly encouraged the heavens to open.  Serafina got a good wash but we were hampered from catching up with paperwork and emails as most of the time the computers were residing in the oven, hiding from the lightning.  At one point there was the loudest crack of simultaneous thunder and lightning, accompanied by a very nasty smell of sulphur.

 

We decided to cut our losses and head off on Tuesday to meet up with Il Sogno (Craig and Karene), as Wednesday had northerlies forecast.   We (at long last) had a lovely close reach up to Dutch Harbour in the Narrangsett Bay and Rob managed to catch a 4kg fish.  It has taken a good 36 hours research to discover it was a Bluefish and has made good soup and roasting.   I forgot to mention that on our previous flat calm sail, all the way up we could see boiling areas of sea with 6" fish breaking the surface in " fish balls" chased by large, heavy bodied fish below.

 

Active Captain indicated that most boats anchor north of the mooring field in Dutch Harbour which we have done.   But we are considering moving as this area offers no protection from the island to the west of us, if the wind blows from the north with a good fetch down the bay - which it has been, unusually, doing since we arrived much to Il Sogno's surprise.   This is a quiet residential bay on the west side of Jamestown on the island of Conanicut Island, but the island is less than a mile wide at this point.   Across the East Channel from Jamestown is Newport and this is where all the America's Cup racing is going on - of course nicely staged for televising.

 

It was lovely to catch up with all Karene and Craig's news, and they kindly carted us off to the Narrangsett Cafe for the nicest fish and chips I can remember having, followed by huge puddings next door in the posh restaurant, as the cafe doesn't do desserts.   Even better Dave Enstone, a great hockey mate of Rob's joined us, and later his wife, Judy came down from their house on the island - so much catching up all round.  Dave despite living and working out here for the last 15 years does not have a trace of American accent and apparently still no inkling as to how the American mind works, although as a very successful businessman dealing in the world of real estate I find that hard to believe!

 

Today I went into town to find a haircut, cycling our bike which Rob had successfully spent most of Monday in the thunderstorm trying to repair a long-term puncture.  Rob meanwhile was delighted to discover that all our present boat problems (broken Nav light, deck wash and VHF radio) all, of course, have agents in the boating Mecca that is Newport.  And so he and Craig are planning a chandlery day with the huge bonus of Craig's car.  They joined us for a drink on board in the evening to plan the next few days' activities.