More Rain

Thursday, 29 May

“Occasional rain and drizzle,” read the forecast.  The rapping on the deck overhead indicates this is one of those occasions which, in turn, confirms the decision to stay in Oxford and seek shelter for the night at Bachelor’s Point Marina.  More of a working yard than a “destination” marina, but the staff couldn’t be more helpful, the facilities are neat and clean, and the location near the mouth of the Tred Avon will make for a quick getaway tomorrow.

That’s probably best out of concern for the self-esteem of dear little Steadfast. Although she was in (near) Bristol condition and standing tall when she left her home slip, she is dwarfed by the boats–ahem, make that “yachts”–tied up all around her.  A handsome Fleming 65 (I think) motor yacht spent most of the day here before heading off.  In the rain.

The 65′ “First Light” motors past the bowsprit of the 100′ schooner “Summer Wind” at rest at Bachelor’s Point, Oxford.

(Pssst! Does he know he’s left a fender hanging off the stern quarter.  Glad to see that happens with the best of yachts!)  And then there’s Summer Wind, too big to get a good photo but there’s more about her at http://www.charterworld.com/news/relaunch-100foot-alden-sailing-yacht-summerwind-gmt-carbon-spars

We’re plugged into shore power–the solar panel’s not producing a lot of juice today, for some reason; go figga!–to keep the lights on, the ice box cold and the laptops fully charged.  With the temperature yet to hit 60 today, the cold plate in the ice box hasn’t had much to do.  It’ll earn it’s keep in a few weeks, though.

Meantime, we start to feel like hibernating aquatic mammals, plan our departure and plot our course to cross the Bay to the Annapolis area in the morning.  There’s a big regatta scheduled there this weekend so we may not be able to get a slip on “Ego Alley” but we’ll give it a shot.

Steadfast out.