Mike
10/10/2009, Annapolis, MD

October 7th,2009 Annapolis, MD
It was windy this morning with gusts to 25 knots so we hoisted the Windbugger to see if it was in working order. The shaft didn't turn all that well, but there was enough wind to keep it going. I will have to take it apart and check the bearings.... maybe some grease is needed.
I built new lazy jacks with new shock cord and then had some lunch.
In the afternoon I transferred fuel to the main tank ...almost filling it, and will refill the gerry cans before we leave. Then I changed the fuel filter and tried to track down an air leak in the fuel system that has been bugging us all summer. I tightened the both alternator belts ... which is a pain because the lower one is almost impossible to get a wrench on, and generally went over the engine.

The wind gusted to 35 in the afternoon and we really didn't want to leave the boat for fear that we might drag into one of the nearby docks. I did go into Shearwater later and picked up a load of water. We should be about full.
For dinner we had baked ham, sweet potato, and corn..... simple but it hit the spot.

October 6th, 2009 Annapolis, MD
This morning I took the dinghy into town to be fitted for a new foul weather jacket. I can use a friend's discount to get the price down to 10% below cost, which is better than Boat Show Prices. I wasted some time talking to friends before heading back to the boat.
Then it was off to West Marine in the other direction. It is about a five mile round trip. We haven't been walking as much lately and it was good to get out and stretch our legs. We picked up a new dinghy light and a few items at CVS before walking back.
Later in the afternoon I got the mast steps out and with Kathy's help, went up about half way to retrieve one of my lazy jack lines that had gotten away. I took metal polish to work on the stays on the way down. In places there was rust spiraling down which needed some attention.
We listened to the Tigers for the last time this season....it sounded like they really didn't want to play any more this year.



October 5th, 2009 Annapolis, MD
We have made up our minds to stick around for the boat show and leave on Sunday, weather permitting. There are just too many people coming to town that we'd like to see. There are certainly enough jobs on Sapphire to keep us busy.
Yesterday, shopping at Walmart we picked up a ham and so the first thing this morning was to slice it up and bag it in meal sized portions. I was left with a nice looking ham bone that I couldn't throw away....bean soup was on the menu. The morning was cool, so a pot simmering on the stove would be welcome.
We were planning to go to town this afternoon, so I attempted to figure out all the fittings that would be needed to install our cockpit shower. I ordered a Blue Sky controller for our solar panels, called the Doctor's office with Steve and Kim's address to send some pills and took care of some other business via email.
I called the pumpout boat, which showed up around noon, and after some lunch we headed to town.
The waterfront of Annapolis is in transition. Moorings are being removed and pilings pounded into the mouth of Spa Creek . The pilings will eventually support docks to view the new sailboats on display. Tents and fences were going up as we walked by. There were high-lows everywhere moving equipment and unloading semis. Boats were milling around in the Creek waiting for their scheduled time to enter Ego Alley and take their place.
We did some shopping and spent a couple of hours in town before returning to the boat. By then, the day was mostly finished, so we baked some chicken with a baked potato and had a nice meal.
Later, we dinghied down to Alibi Two to help them finish off some opened boxes of wine.

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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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