After 4 Days of Bad Weather we are in Oriental
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Mon 16 Nov 2009 12:37
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35:01.37N, 76:41.97W
Dowry Creek just off the Pungo River proved to be
an excellent place for sitting out the bad weather over the last few days. The
marina was very secure and offered the usual facilities of loan car for
shopping, laundry, showers and large customer lounge with its own kitchen and
television. There was also a swimming pool which at this time of year is closed.
In any case you would need to have a masochistic streak to venture into the
chilly water. (10 degrees C)
A real bonus, given we were pretty much stuck for
the duration of the storm were the cruising folk that happened to be there
sheltering at the same time. The organisers amongst them soon got things
going with cocktails on the first night, Pot Luck dinner on the second. A trip
to Belhaven to Georgies Oyster Bar where 15 of us trooped into the small
place and sat in a long line at the bar tucking into Oysters, Shrimp, crab legs
with side orders of 'slaw' (he said lapsing into Americano). And then last
night a 'Last Supper' before we all went our separate ways. So despite the awful
weather and the various leaks we sprang not helped by large amounts of
condensation dripping onto us in bed from our overhead hatches we actually
had a good few days and we were all rather sad to be splitting up. Another
couple of days and I'm sure we would have added dog walking to the list of
activities available at Dowry, as there were 2 largish dogs needing daily
exercise. Phil was also offered a serious hair cut should we meet up again with
one of the cruisers!
We left the creek at 0645 this morning and headed
for Oriental where we have ordered some V Belts for the engines from a local
supplier. We passed by this stop on the way up earlier in the year so
were keen to see what we had missed, although we wont be here long as the wind
continues to be from the north and so favourable for us to continue southwards,
however little it may blow. Next stop - Beaufort / Morehead City.
  Dowry Creek - after the storm had
cleared taken from the office
building
Other 'inmates' sheltering
  The pool and customer lounge - no we
didn't get through that many
bottles!
Looking across the Pungo River
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