Wednesday 5 August 2020

Original plan was to run down to Newport this morning, catch ferry to Providence, do stuff for a few hours, catch ferry back to Newport and motor back up to Bristol for package reported delivered. About seven hours of travel. Then tomorrow sail back by Newport and out to Cuttyhunk, MA. Another seven. Whatdayathink, inefficient? Part way down ferry canceled so we burned a U and returned to Bristol. No package. Still expect to sail for Cuttyhunk early tomorrow.

Friday

Last half of sail was a darn nice close reach into virtually calm seas. Having heard of it numerous times thought Cuttyhunk was a substantial place. It's not. It's like a trading post on the Oregon trail in the Old American West, but without alcohol. Egad! Between that and its inaccessibility except by boat, there's little wonder population is small. Can't be many who stay through winter. It is, however, a pleasant, large anchorage for prevailing winds with an inner harbor protected from every direction. Used as a stopover, it was jammed by late afternoon and almost empty this morning.

We're currently approaching the island of Weepecket... OK, admit it, first glance you thought the same, right? Anyway probably an Indian name that means hung like stallion (that last is no doubt unpardonably iniquitous on a multitude of levels). Only a half hour from entrance to Hadley Harbor, tonight's stop. More population there, at least on east side, as it's the beginning of Elizabeth Islands and accessible by road. Short hop to Martha's Vineyard tomorrow through narrow Wood's Hole Passage where current runs to four knots. As with many endeavors, it pays to pick your time.

Jack & Jan