Southbound Armada

With jaggy winds and big nasty seas forecast until early or mid next week we decided to hit the Ditch or the Intra Coastal Waterway to give it its proper name.

We're following Moonbeam of Argyle's route down to Coinjock and on back to Beaufort where we landed back in May. It will take 4 days and only win us 125 miles southing but a) we'll see the scenery and wildlife and b) we'll not get blown away by the gales around Cape Hatteras, quaintly known as the headland of wrecks.

As previous entry, the Gulf Stream is squeezed and accelerated around the Cape which pokes its nose east out into the Atlantic. We needed a gentle wind with a north element in it to get around, or calm. 35 knots wasn't going to cut it so here we are on the Intracoastal with a small armada of trawlers, stink boats and yachts all taking the shortcut on the annual exodus south to the sun.

Another big stinkboat, 56 feet, has appeared round the last corner, maybe a mile or so back down the canal. He won't be popular with the neighbours powering along trying to catch this locking while his wash drops another 6 inches of their garden into the canal.

Oh! The Crinan Canal for me,
I don't like the wild raging sea,
It would be too terrific to cross the Pacific,
Or sail to Japan or Fiji.
A life on the Spanish Main,
I think it would drive me insane,
The big foaming breakers would give me the shakers,
The Crinan Canal for me.

Oh! The Crinan Canal for me,
I don't like the wild raging sea,
The big foaming breakers would give me the shakers,
The Crinan Canal for me.

It's the Crinan Canal for me,
From sea terrors there you are free,
There's no shark or whale that would make you turn pale,
Or shiver or shake at the knee.
I would nae like leavin' ma bones,
In a locker beside Davy Jones,
From Ardrishaig to Crinan's the best trip A'hve bin in,
The Crinan Canal for me.

Aye the Crinan Canal for me,
It's neither too big nor too wee,
Oh! It's lovely and calm when you're frying your ham,
Or makin' a nice cup of tea.
You can go for a stroll on its banks,
To loosen your muscle bound shanks,
You can darn your socks while you're still in its locks,
It's the Dismal canal for me.

So, here we are, sat in the lock waiting on the next opening. 967 miles from Eastport in Maine. 717 miles from Boston and 1,236 from Key West. How do we cover so many miles? (By taking the first footstep says Confucius). By spending loads on diesel says I.

Anyway, it's a stunning day. The sun is blazing. T shirts, shorts and sun cream are back out yet, the autumn leaves are blowing into the cockpit.

Nice contrast.