Newport, Rhode Island
Summer 2022
John Andrews
Mon 5 Sep 2016 22:30
We are currently sitting at anchor in Newport Harbour bouncing around a little uncomfortably while we sit out a rather nasty storm that has positioned itself just to the south east of us. We crossed from Martha's Vineyard yesterday having been told by the Edgartowm harbour maste that we couldn't stay there because of the weather that was forecast to come in. Our own weather forecasts didn't look too alarming and as we swept past Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, both bristling with masts, we felt a little let down that we were having to return to Newport so early in our cruise. Then again the water around here is very shallow with numerous sandbanks so perhaps they knew something we didn't. Certainly the sea did pick up a bit of a chop but nothing really alarming. Significantly perhaps we were almost the only boat on the water on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Nevertheless we had a great passage, under sail the whole way with the wind on the beam.
We have enjoyed our whistle stop your of Nantucket and Edgartown. Both are much busier and smarter than Menemsha with lovely old captains' houses set in well groomed gardens and with boutiques selling expensive beachwear and top of the range sailing kit. Nantucket has a very efficient bus service which we used to get to the middle of the island where there is a good walk across reclaimed farmland.
The forecast this morning is not looking great with wind due to increase today and not really diminishing for a couple of days. Jamestown, across the bay, where we will be leaving the boat will be really uncomfortable with the wind from this direction so we are stuck here for the time being. Getting ashore in the dinghy would be a very wet business.