Tuesday November 2nd 2010
The most worrisome part of our trip (after Lake Ontario in October) is Norfolk Harbour to the Great Bridge Lock and Bridge. This is a stretch of 20 miles that is subject to wind, current, big freighter, warships, tug and barges working, a lock and lots of bridges that make you wait in the current and wind. All this in 20 short miles of waterway which is why we consider it the most nerve racking part of the trip and we are both overjoyed when it is over. When you are waiting for a bridge opening the bridge tender person wants all the boats up close to the bridge so she/he can open and close the bridge quickly, easy for them but not easy for us with current and wind and boats all trying to stay straight in the channel and not hit each other. Others open on the hour or the half hour and you are staring at the lock counting down the minutes till opening. If you are too far back then they close the bridge right in front of you and make you wait for the next opening. I am sure you get the picture now.
The one interesting part about this 20 mile stretch is that it takes you through Norfolk Harbour in front of all the military boats. It goes without saying that you do not approach this area. I managed to snap a picture, although I think this is a no-no.
Once out of the Great Bridge bridge it is smooth sailing except for one more bridge who ended up waiting for us because we were half a mile away and that NEVER happens. We travelled with a whole group of about 20-30 boats all heading to parts south. This is where we begin to talk to each other on the VHS radio and meet up at dock later on.
The one interesting part about this 20 mile stretch is that it takes you through Norfolk Harbour in front of all the military boats. It goes without saying that you do not approach this area. I managed to snap a picture, although I think this is a no-no.
Once out of the Great Bridge bridge it is smooth sailing except for one more bridge who ended up waiting for us because we were half a mile away and that NEVER happens. We travelled with a whole group of about 20-30 boats all heading to parts south. This is where we begin to talk to each other on the VHS radio and meet up at dock later on.
We stop at Coinjock, North Carolina. Where the hell is Coinjock you ask? I should you because I have the T-shirt (a birthday gift from Paul in 2005). But what happens in Coinjock ...stays in Coinjock. Coinjock is home of the 32 ounce prime rib. Those of you who know Captain Ted’s appetite knows that this is the stop he looks forward to.
After docking in Coinjock we meet Katherine (from Sault Ste Marie) and Timothy (from where ever the boat is) on the dock. They are aboard fun@sea.calm we invite them to join us and John & Nora for dinner. First a much need wash down of the boat to get the salt off after a few days on the Bays. At dinner we swap stories and enjoy meeting new friends. Katherine & Timothy leave us the next day in Oriental, NC. We say our goodbyes till we meet again in Charleston on our return trip in the spring or back in Toronto.
Coinjock Marina has a 1000 feet of docking and they make use of ever foot by docking all the boat ..ahem close. How close you ask? See the picture of our bow behind Fun@Sea.calm and the stern of Boatel I with Sea Dog close by. The dock staff are wonderful and Lewis the owner is always at hand to greet everyone with a "we're glad to see y'all again". I just hand them the lines and they move the boat where they want it and tie all the lines. Craig - you need to send your dock staff to train at Coinjock Marina!
Now getting out the next morning is a different thing! We wait for the delivery captains with the bow and stern thrusters to leave dock and an empty hole so that the rest of us can move up and get out. No dock staff in the morning. The parade of boat leaving (reminds me of lemmings) starts again in the morning.
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