9 -16th April 2012 - To Beaufort, South Carolina
Nimue
Mon 16 Apr 2012 03:08
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After sailing a further 123nm , we arrived at another new East Coast
destination; Beaufort (pronounced Bewfort), South Carolina and we spent the
first night at anchor just outside the main town. After making contact
with Allan and Cathy Rae, the OCC representatives, we left the next day to tie
up alongside their countryside house mooring in Brickyard Creek, just a few
miles beyond Ladies Island Bridge. That evening we were invited, along with
other cruisers for drinks at their house, which was very pleasant.
We had use of their car to explore Beaufort and pick up a few groceries;
which made life a whole lot easier. A day or so before our intended
departure, we made a shocking discovery! On opening up the engine room, we
noticed it was full of sea water and further investigation revealed the gearbox
oil cooler had corroded and started to leak. With Michael not physically
able to sort out the problem, Kenny came to our rescue and managed to get the
old unit dismantled. So whilst Kenny and Michael were taking the unit to
the welder to get it repaired, I was given the “wonderful” task of cleaning out
the engine room! It was our usual practice to leave a couple of nappies
underneath the engine to pick up any drips from the engine, but with the amount
of water that had accumulated in the compartment, they had become entangled in
the propeller shaft and parts of salty nappies had been splayed in every ‘nook
and cranny’ of the engine room. I managed to clean up most of the
mess, in readiness for the boys return with the repaired unit. After a few
more hours hard labour, the unit was finally fitted. We waited with
anticipation as we turned on the engine, but no leaks and a good job done!
Whilst all this was going on another cruising yacht named Patty
D arrived, with Matt and Pat on board. It was not long before
they had persuaded us to stop another day, which didn’t take too much doing and
were also invited to join them at the end of their pier mooring (owned by Rick
and Carol; Seven Seas reps) for an evening meal of cooked fried chicken, pulled
pork, salads and home-made key lime pie; yum yum!
 ‘As we were leaving Fernandina Beach we
passed this trawler returning to port
 The anchorage outside of Beaufort
SC
  Waiting for Ladies Island ‘cantilever’
bridge to open
  Allan & Cathy’s house and
Nimue moored at the end of their very long pier
  A shopping trip with Michael &
Kenny
Under a very old ‘live oak tree’
  Allan sitting comfortably and son ‘Will’
on the dock
  Next door at Rick & Carol’s
home, where Michael is in Rick’s hand built replica ship’s cabin and later,
walking down their pier to find Patty D
  Nimue and Loon
at the end of the dock as seen from Rick and Carol’s pier (see
below)
    Enjoying Patty D’s food with
Matt & Pat, Rick & Carol and Kenny at the aptly named “Greentreehouse
Landing”
 Day of departure, with Loon in the
background
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