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! |
| Extra: |
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, [...]
Mauritius to Durban - Day 8
The sky has remained grey and the wind is a constant blow from the southwest, but seems to be slowly lessening. The barometer is rising slowly. Perhaps the worst has passed by. We've not transmitted or received SailMail in the last day or so, but our 2-day old forecast indicates this weather should move on to plague some other sailor in about 24 hours. We're hoping it's still accurate because we're watching the clock.
The going is still slow. The 1-knot counter-current still has us in its grasp and why wouldn't it? We're sailing the same track we did yesterday and at Noon today, we still have 13 miles to go to make up for our lost mileage yesterday. (Note:I just re-read this and thought "Boohoo, poor Marcie, is feeling sorry for herself." Nah, don't think that at all. This just gives a picture of what living aboard and sailing is like ... some good, some crappy. Just like life, in general ... not all beautiful sunrises and sandy beaches.)
As I sit in the cockpit, getting knocked about by the wind and waves, but still comfortable enough, I daydream. No reading or writing possible at the moment. I think of luxurious, hot showers that wash away the salt and grime of a long, hard passage. I think of the pleasure and relief when Nine of Cups is berthed and her dock lines are secure and tidy in the Durban Marina. I think about roasting a small turkey that barely fits into the galley oven and that will cost us a small fortune, but we'll buy it anyway. I think about shopping for all the things that will make our Thanksgiving a particularly special and traditional occasion for us, like cranberry sauce and a pumpkin pie. Just the shopping excursion itself will be a pleasure. I conjure up all these images and more, and while the waves are crashing over the bow and the wind shrieks through the rigging, I can't help but smile at the things we sometimes take for granted.
About & Links
