DEPARTURE FROM NORFOLK
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Mon 19 May 2008 20:48
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36:50.48N 75:52.76W
Yesterday evening was spent in horrendous rain with
Captain Julin Litchfield and his wife Anne on board for drinks - thank you to
the both of them for braving the weather! The crew then went ashore and had
a very good meal in the restaurant at the club before heading back on board for
a good night's sleep.
Awoke this morning to a strong breeze but the
rain had passed. Breakfast was had before final showers and wifi sessions and
then more crew briefings on using the VHF radio in times of distress, white
flares and strobe lights for attracting attention and then, at 1200, we slipped
our berth from NYCC and set sail...
Conditions leaving Norfolk weren't much fun with
the wind blowing over the tide making a choppy sea but we made it out
amongst departing Candian Navy Ships, oil containers, freight ships
and other hazards to clear Hampton Roads.
We set our course for Bermuda (including a
slight dog-leg for weather reasons) but had to make a rapid alteration
when the huge American amphibious assault ship on our stern radioed to say
it was going to alter course!
Cape Henry cleared and we're sailing past Virginia
Beach...next stop, Bermuda!
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