Unjaunted
13 August 2020 | Newport
Tuesday 11 August 2020
Magnificent sail yesterday. Made almost nine knots some of the time with help of more than a knot eastward current (too many adverbs?). This bodes ill for return sail as wind shifts further west.
Nantucket Harbor is large, but filled with moorings, lots of them - had to anchor quite a way from dinghy dock. Except for automobiles, mega-yachts and tourists suspect Nantucket looks much like it did in the nineteenth century. They probably try to keep it that way for tourism. Early dinner lobster at the Lobster Trap restaurant before strolling around town where we didn't see a single piece of modern architecture that wasn't a car or plastic surgery.
Returned to Wood's Hole, sight of famous Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI.. whooee?), which has been a leading ocean research institute for ninety years. Enjoyed another fine sail (all hard on the wind with seas in Nantucket Sound kept down to half a meter by the islands) then couldn't anchor as moorings covered all reasonable areas. Went back through Passage against a knot and a half current to outer Hadley Harbor for a very calm night in the lee of Nonamesset Island.
Wednesday
Started early as wind predicted to pick up by afternoon. It did, but also shifted south so enjoyed another pretty good sail for most of last eight miles before turn into East Passage of Providence River. The spacious channel and harbor at Newport is always bustling with the prettiest boats gliding around and at anchor - beautiful large schooners in full sail, smaller sloops and yawls, many of them varnished wood, immaculately maintained. A real sailor's domain. The September Newport Sailboat Show every year must be a delight - every year but this one.
Thursday
Dinner last night ashore was a wee disappointment. Incorrect meal was brought, which was ten dollars more than ordered - accepted anyway. Mahi mahi was over-cooked and dry and waitress was less than attentive. Suggested gratuities began at eighteen percent and went to twenty five. Her tip didn't quite break through the lower floor.
Today found Panera Bread Co, where most of midday was spent, then one of us got irradiated while rest of crew, not allowed into hospital, got to enjoy the outdoor ambience. Against forecast had sun early then rain. Weather weasels strike again.
"The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it."
- Patrick Young
Jack & Jan