Living like a Kennedy for a day in Martha's Vineyard
A year afloat: to the Caribbean and back
Sam and Alex Fortescue
Fri 15 Jul 2011 18:29
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41:29.1N
071:19.15W
Things have been pretty busy over the last few
days. Here's a quick run down on what's been going on.
We met my friend Savannah on Monday evening in
Martha's Vineyard and spent the following day zooming about in a soft top sports
car, seeing the island's sights and basking in the sun. We 'did' the island in a
day flat.
On Wednesday we set sail for Newport to meet our
two crew members Elise and Chris. However, a conspiracy of circumstance meant
that the previous day's excellent wind evaporated and the engine started playing
tricks. It looked as if we would have to spend the night at Cuttyhunk Island,
half way to Newport, so our crew mates found a hostel on the shore (Elise is
still couch surfing). However, a front went
over and a wind sprang up in the mid afternoon, so we sailed on. First Mate
Biffle and the Skipper got a tremendous soaking from some very fine
thunderclouds, and we finally rocked up at 10pm.
We were out of cooking gas, so as the rain sluiced
down the inside of my wet weather gear, I lit the barbecue for grilled bacon and
asparagus. We feasted and scuttled off to bed, only be woken at 2am. A strong
wind had blown up from nowhere and waves were rolling down the long bay, under
the bridge and straight into Summer Song. We pitched and bucked until dawn,
before moving to a different part of the bay with matchsticks propping open our
eyes. All except for Savannah, who slept like a baby.
In fact, Savannah has been on excellent form for
the entire trip (see photos below). In Newport, she has become known as serious
shopper, and her patronage is sought by shop assistants the length and breadth
of the island. We lost her yesterday after lunch and sent out a search party at
about 7 in the evening. Savannah reappeared with quantities of shopping bags
hung from both arms and a huge smile on her face, sailing along the pavement
like a galleon under full canvas.
Alex and Savannah on the dinghy dock in Vineyard
Haven
 Gingerbread cottages in MV
  No fog, no wind, no waves...
   On the motor
  At Gay Head, MV
  Quaint Memesha, MV
 A soaking is in store... time for the
oilskins
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