Buzzards Bay

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Mon 8 Jul 2013 02:17

41:41.9N 70:38.0W

 

Saturday 6th July

 

Up at the crack of dawn, (well around 0600 hours) raised the anchor and set off on the 12 mile leg south down Narragansett Bay, past Newport, Rhode Island and out into the open sea. Here the wind began to increase and we had a wonderful downwind sail for around a further 40 miles to the top of Buzzards Bay where we dropped anchor in a quiet spot, out of the unpleasant waves and close to the start of the Cape Cod canal. We were alone here in terms of anchored boats but as darkness fell, we were treated to around 10 or more spectacular firework displays around the bay, with one display actually taking place on the beach just 150 metres away.

 

The sail here had been a long downwind run ‘ by the lee’ with a short steep following sea and this was the first really serious test for the boom brake. It was just perfect and we really wish we had followed our instincts and done this sooner! All the worry and excitement of accidental gybing vanishes and whilst a preventer can make the trip safe, the beauty of the brake is that you can gybe in total control at any time and at short notice when you find yourself needing to avoid other boats etc.

 

Huge added bonus to such a lovely day afloat was the welcome news of the British Lions crushing defeat of Australia in the final rugby test. The trick here now is to track down all the Aussies who strangely have disappeared from sight.  We also gather that Andy Murray won Wimbledon which will presumably have triggered dancing in the streets – well in Scotland anyway.

 

I forgot to mention the fun and games in the anchorage in Bristol on 3rd July. We had picked a spot well away from any other boats so as not to have any concerns over swinging or dragging, but in the morning of the 3rd July, we woke to find an American yacht anchored very close indeed. This was just the prelude and during the course of the day a large number of boats arrived for the celebrations in the town, but this particular yacht had several friends who also chose to demonstrate the herd mentality by anchoring all around and very close to Serafina. There was plenty of space elsewhere, but they just had to crowd us in!

 

Iain and Fiona on Ruffian came back in the evening to watch the fireworks with us, only to find that a small motorboat had anchored directly over their anchor and anchor trip line. Iain pointed out the folly of this plan and almost immediately the chap decided to pick his anchor up and as forecast, he snagged Iain’s anchor and left Ruffian dragging across the harbour.  Iain and Fiona picked up their anchor and re-laid it near to Serafina and then came across to watch the fireworks as planned, but also kept a weather eye on their boat at the same time!

 

We also were entertained each day in Bristol by the local sailing club who were holding sailing races for youngsters – this provided some photographic opportunities as they capsized and generally pushed their luck in the blustery wind conditions.