Sailing with Nine of Cups
| Vessel Name: | Nine of Cups |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Liberty 458 |
| Hailing Port: | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Crew: | Marcie & David |
| About: | We've lived aboard Nine of Cups since 2000 and have managed to accumulate 86,000+ nm under the keel since that time. We completed a circumnavigation in April 2015 and managed to sail around the five great southern capes. Come along with us for the ride! |
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07 July 2016 | Us: East Walpole, MA / Cups: Chesapeake, VA
Taking a breather ...
Since we'll be off the boat during July and August, we plan to post only three times per week. The Captain will continue writing a practical Blue View post each week, we'll keep you up to date on what's happening with us and then throw in some cruising nuggets as well.
06 July 2016 | East Walpole, MA
Keeping fit
We’ve written before about keeping fit on the boat. David is so much better at a regimented exercise program than I am. I have all the best intentions, but I can always think of something better to do than sit-ups, push-ups, leg lifts and running in place. It doesn’t take much to distract me. Walking, [...]
04 July 2016 | East Walpole, MA
Happy 240th Birthday, America
Growing up in New England, I took for granted just how lovely a summer’s morning can be in Massachusetts. It’s comfortably cool and everything smells clean and fresh. Spider webs glisten with morning dew and it’s just great to be alive and breathe in the new day. Being back at Lin’s house conjures up wonderful childhood memories of summer mornings past. And this is not just any morning … it’s the 4th of July, the best holiday of the summertime in the USA.
02 July 2016 | East Walpole, MA
Leaving Cups and a Road Trip
Leaving Nine of Cups is never easy. We know she’ll pout while we’re gone and so we do our best to make sure she’s as comfortable as possible before we leave. We were whirling dervishes trying to get everything ready.
01 July 2016 | Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hunting & Gathering - Virginia Beach
We had lots to do before leaving Cups. David was intent on getting as many chores done in advance of our departure as possible so that once we return in September, we can spend time sailing in the Chesapeake rather than doing repairs and maintenance. Much of what we needed in the way of parts and supplies, [...]
Up Tasmania's East Coast
Rafts of sooty shearwaters floated in our path and took off in unison as we approached. Prions hovered over the waves and a shy albatross circled above them looking for breakfast. Dolphins made a quick appearance as did sea lions, but they disappeared too quickly for photos. We spotted smoke intermittently on the treed hills ashore; the bushfires remain unchecked in some areas.
Had the day been clear, we could have spotted Maria Island much sooner, but with the smoky haze still clouding the air, we didn't spot it until we were about 15 miles away. This mountainous little island has served as a penal colony, a limestone quarry and farmland and it's now a National Park in its entirety and we were headed there for some hiking. Mount Maria at 2,333' (711m) dominates the view.
We anchored on the island's west coast in Chinaman's Bay, popular with cruisers for its comfortably shallow anchorage, white sand beaches and access to bushwalks. Unfortunately, by the time we anchored the wind was blowing near 30 kts which made the task of launching the dinghy more like flying a kite. We decided to wait. The forecast called for more of the same for the next three days, but backing to west and southwest. After a fairly calm night, the wind increased again by early morning and we opted to head across the Mercury Passage to the little town of Triabunna. Maria Island would have to wait.
Only 12 miles from anchorage to anchorage, this short trip was the stuff dreams are made of. We were close-hauled, wind 40º off the nose, but we managed to slip along in 20-25 knot winds up and across the Mercury Passage. Once in the lee of the mainland, the seas calmed and the wind clocked just enough to allow a smooth, easy passage to the anchorage in Spring Bay. We could see the entrance to the long, well-marked channel into town, but once again the shallow channel depths kept us anchored in the bay.
Changes of plan are typical for cruisers and the norm for us, in particular. You have to go with the wind and the tides and the currents … and your whims. The winds were in charge this day. We'll see what there is to see and do in Triabunna and wait for an opportunity to visit Maria Island when the winds are more cooperative.
By the way, for anyone interested in seeing Yanks try Vegemite for the first time, be sure to check the blog on Australia Day (January 26th) as we open our virgin jar and give this iconic Australian concoction a go.
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