Mike
10/10/2009, Annapolis, MD

October 4th, 2009 Prime Hook Beach, DE
I was up early to talk to Jack before he left for work and then took a hike down the beach. It had been clear during the night and the view out our second story window over the Delaware Bay with a full moon was spectacular. However, this morning was foggy and by the time I had gone 50 yards there were no homes in sight.
I returned to make coffee and read for a while before Debbie and Kathy decided that sleeping in was overrated. We had some fruit for breakfast and wasted most of the morning before heading back to Annapolis. On our way back, we stopped at a Walmart to do some provisioning.
Kathy dropped me off at Shearwater to pick up the dinghy, and then drove around to Truxton Park where loading would be much easier. I took everything back to the boat while Kathy returned Scott's vehicle and walked back to the launch ramp.
We were back on board and still had some daylight to burn after stowing our purchases.

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Mike
10/10/2009, Annapolis, MD

October 3rd, 2009 Annapolis MD, to Primehook Beach DE
We have been watching the weather closely this week because we'd like to leave the boat overnight tonight and visit Jack and Debbie Dilts in Delaware. Scott gave us the use of his car, but there were thunderstorms in the forecast and Sapphire is at anchor...granted two anchors, but still it seems a little risky.
The forecast this morning called for no severe weather and just a slight chance of thunderstorms so we packed up and headed east over the Bay Bridge.
We arrived about noon. Jack was working but Kris was there to watch the MSU/Michigan game. He has always been for the Blue team and as a kid always called me when the Spartans lost to the Wolves. We had a great time.
Meanwhile in the kitchen Bernie, Debbie, Kathy and two neighbor ladies were preparing for this evening's dinner. (for 22) Bernie is the wine expert at the local wine shop and has, for years, had a Friday afternoon wine tasting there. He will generally have 5 or 6 wines, as well as food and snacks to go along with the particular wine. Bernie has developed the deserved reputation as a wonderful chef and has authored a cookbook that we happen to use aboard Sapphire.
Anyway, the folks that live on Prime Hook Beach have a fund raising picnic every summer with an auction. Bernie offered to cook dinner, in your home, has one of the prizes to be auctioned off and Jack and Debbie won. Tonight was that dinner.
When the game was over and the kitchen crew was finished with their preparations, Bernie broke out the first bottle of wind and poured seven glasses. It tasted a little different than the wines we were used to, much deeper with flavors that were subtle and blended. (googled later, it sells for $250)
With the tables set and everything ready, I watched some more football while the others got cleaned up and dressed for dinner.
Bernie started the grill about 5pm and began that portion of the meal. When the meat came off the grill it went under the salamander to keep things warm until served.
Guests arrived promptly at 7 and were treated to the first course, which consisted of steamed clams, crab cakes, and Lobster thermidor cheesecake. Champagne was served with this course.
The second course consisted of pumpkin / curry soup with what appeared to be shaved truffles and crème fraiche as garnish.
Course three was a mixed grill consisting of duck breast, pork loin, lamb and filet mignon.
Next was a came a cheese course served on thin slices of baguette.
Lastly came the desert course with and apple cheesecake with caramel and whipped cream.

Each course was served with a complementing bottle of wine.
Dinner lasted from 7 to about 11. We picked up and chatted until about 1 am and then went to bed. I could still hear Debbie working in the kitchen until about 3, washing wine glasses and putting things back to normal.






October 2nd, 2009 Annapolis, MD
Bob, the surveyor that was assigned to us by the insurance company, had said that he would call in the morning to set up an appointment. We puttered around the boat most of the day; Kathy cleaned the ports and finished up below decks. I installed a new plug for the windbugger and ran the appropriate wire. It has never been quite right since our mast was pulled more that two years ago.
I made a trip to town to check for packages and picked up our new wash down pump and cockpit shower.
Bob finally called about 3pm and came over shortly later. He went through all our receipts and my hours, took some photos of our work and recommended that I charge $50 and hour for my labor.
He will fax in all the paperwork, make his recommendations and in a week or so we should get a check.
We took an evening dinghy ride, ate some supper, and watched some video.

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Mike
10/02/2009, Annapolis, MD

October 1st, 2009 Annapolis, MD
Kathy cleaned in the morning while I did little or nothing. Around 10 am we walked up to Scott's condo and borrowed his car. Our first stop was to put some air in a tire and then we drove over to West Marine for some supplies on our list. Then we headed out to the Mall to find a place for Kathy to get a hiarcut. We had lunch there and stopped at a Safeway on the way back to the boat.
Gerry gave us permission to park Scott's car in their lot which is much safer than on the street.
We were expecting the marine surveyor who had been assigned to our insurance claim at three, but he called to say that is boat had stopped on his way so he'd come over in the morning.
At about 6pm Bill and Donna called to be picked up at the end of the street. They are fellow Bayfield 40 owners whom we had never met. Friends of ours had given them our name and email and they contacted us a few days ago asking to come aboard to see the boat and how we did things... they brought pizza, desert and wine.
We had a nice chat with them in the evening and then watched some video before bed.

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