Motor Yacht Pearl with Glenys and Don: Time to leave

Heading South for the warmer weather

The days went by pretty fast when we arrived back from our UK and Spain trip, still a couple of larger projects to finish but yes, we managed enough to get us on our way. I provisioned us well, probably a little over the top, Don reminded me that we weren’t doing another Atlantic crossing.

So the departure from friends and Fishing Bay marina in Deltaville was a little sad. The engines were serviced, fuel tanks filled, fridge and freezer full and everything stowed. We were pretty excited so good to be using Pearl again how she is meant to be used back on the water.

The first stops planned were short hops so we could check out all the systems just in case.

Day 1. Monday 24th October

011:00 Not too early a start when we waved bye bye to Rick and Martha from their boat and John and Dody too. Off we set to Mobjack which is a well protected anchorage on the East river well off the passing traffic on the ICW. We chose a stunning location to drop the hook in 12 feet of water, thick sticky black mud, the wind picked up but we were going nowhere.

Day 2. Tuesday 25th October 08:00 a very sunny but very chilly start following our last track on the ICW back down to Hospital point Portsmouth VA just 37 pleasant miles. Portsmouth - Norfolk is a huge naval base with the Atlantic US aircraft carrier fleet, many being worked on and a few getting ready to move.

Day 3 Wednesday Oct 26th

I remember the last time we lifted the anchor from hospital point the anchor was weighed down with lots of heavy mud. Luckily we didn't have to wait for the Gilmerton lift bridge to open we had enough clearance so we didn't lose any time. The next hold up was the lock at Great bridge and the Great bridge, sounds weird but its the name. The lock was packed with boats, the last few sailing boats had to tie up just with lines on their bows, there were lots of boats traveling south now to escape the cold weather.

I reckon they could have been closer but some skippers are a little nervous of being so close.

Next stop somewhere close to Public creek which is where we had the bug invasion on the way North. This time we anchored a little way away and were fine.

Day 4. Thursday 27th October
After a very chilly start we moved into the south end of Alligator river

we found an anchorage in Cypress swamp after 43 miles and had dropped the anchor by 14:00. The water was like glass but the wind was blowing, we were well protected by the trees.

We were treated to an amazing sunset that evening.

Day 5 October 28th.

This was the morning we found a huge tree trunk with roots on our anchor, oh well at least we didn't move anywhere.

The morning procession behind us just entering the Pungo Canal

So then we entered the Pungo Canal, we did 71 miles this day to be in Oriental which was where we stopped a couple of days on the way north. Luckily we knew where the Raymarine repair place was and as the radar had decided to fail we arranged to have it checked out. Don managed to take down the radar dome without taking down the mast which was quite a relief.

When we arrived in Oriental we noticed our friends Jim and Annes boat Impressionist so we guessed we would meet up with them and have some fun. There were only a couple of other yachts within the breakwater but as the days went on more came in and it became pretty full.

We went for lunch with Anne and Jim

Notice the number plate, it was almost time to vote for the next president

Halloween time

November 2nd
The radar was fixed and Don went ashore at 13:15 and as the anchorage was very full we made the fastest preparations for departure. So we moved across the channel and down the ICW into another anchorage in Cedar creek and by 14:32 the anchor was down we were the only boat there. Another peaceful night.

Thursday November 3rd
We moved again into an anchorage at Mile Hammock Bay just off the ICW, this was close to a military area, they were obviously practicing firing at something with pretty big guns, the noise continued well into the night but as we were having very early starts we kind of fell into bed early so we weren't too bothered by the noises.