TIME AFTER TIME

It had to be one of our top ten sails to Cuttyhunk, evuh!

“If you're lost you can look--and you will find me

Time after time

If you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting 

Time after time

Time after time...

Time after time...

Time after time...

Time after time...”  

          Cyndi Lauper

 “Time after Time” we return to our favorite places and do the same, if not familiar things. Cuttyhunk and Block Island for starters. 

Favorite Anchor Spot. 

We finally got our chance to get away from Newport and Mooring #267 this month. It was a beautiful sailing day to Cuttyhunk on Thursday. June 7. Once we rounded Castle Hill, R2A we steered around the fishnets and headed directly for 2E outside of Cuttyhunk. 4 hours later we were on anchor in our favorite spot and enjoying a bowl of clam chowder. Obsession loves to sail close hauled or on a beam reach in 15 knots of wind-she cruised along at 7-8 knots, with minimal adjustments. We just sat back and enjoyed the ride. The routie and the routine are familiar to us. Time after Time. 

The next day we took OCD ashore to visit with Lexi and Duane (Cuttyhunk Cafe), John (lobsterman extraordinaire) Doc (retired from New Bedford), the Corner Store (new blanket and pillows). After a walk to the ferry dock we returned to Obsession to find more friends, Cleve and his daughter Lily anchored nearby. A late afternoon nap, a raw bar delivery, (thanks Seth and crew)  and steak on the grill followed by a beautiful night in the cockpit under Obsession Constellation and Luci. Oh, how we love Cuttyhunk! Time after Time. 

Cuttyhunk Sunset-we spent the evening cloud watching. 

We spent the next day preparing for a visit and cookout with Rosa and Perrin who were headed our way on Destiny (Esc.). Our cookout packing list was small compared to what Rosa and Perrin brought. They even brought the wood for the fire. After consuming chicken, sausages and burgers Perrin brought out the s’mores. We built up the fire, bundled up in sweatshirts and hats and enjoyed some campfire tunes until the fire burned down low. Time after Time.

A glorious Cuttyhunk Sunrise

All our friends left on Sunday except Adam and Laura (Adesso). We heard some of their stories of their winter in the Islands, and Adam’s sail back to FL. I’m sure there are more to enjoy. We spent a quiet day aboard before leaving early Monday morning for Block Island. This, however,  was the first time we ever sailed from Cuttyhunk to Block Island! 

A North American Oyster-Fisher

The winds were light, behind us all the way to Block Island.  (not the best sailing for us) and the seas were sloppy. So we motor-sailed all the way (5.5 hrs). The entrance to Block Island is always a welcoming sight. Sometimes you feel as if you’ll never get there, and then without notice it appears before you. We took a mooring right in front of The Boat Basin (home of The Oar). Our Oldport Launch Sticker is valid here as well as Newport and Edgartown so we take advantage of it. Mudslides, sushi, a beautiful day of walking to Old Harbor and back, a lunch at the Spring House, some retail therapy, and a beautiful sunset rounded out the following two days. 

Approaching the mooring field

 in front of The Oar

The Gothic Inn, Old Harbor. Maybe we will 

stay here when we get old (er) and 

have to visit by Ferry. 

Interesting bottle decoration. 

It’s raining; ever so lightly now, and the weatherman is predicting it to be rainy and windy all day. Maybe this will be a good day to pull out the charts and cruising guides to start planning our Trip. We watched the Coast Guard arrive, soaking wet in their red foul weather gear.  

Gone are those days for us. We are weather hounds and try to sail in good weather and hunker down in bad. We are prepared, though. 

Thursday might be a good day to sail back to Newport. They are predicting 15+ knots of wind from the west. But Friday might be better. We shall see. For sure we will be returning here for 4th of July Fireworks July 2. Time After Time. 

SITTIN’ ON OUR DOCK OF THE BAY

Obsession on her mooring in Newport Harbor. 

“Sittin’ in the mornin' sun

I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes

Watchin' the ships roll in

Then I watch 'em roll away again

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay

Watchin' the tide, roll away

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay

Wastin' time”. Otis Redding

The lyrics to this song seem to accurately describe our time in Newport and Aboard Obsession since May 1. Our ‘dock on the bay’ has been either a seat at the Volvo Ocean Race Village, the Deck of our timeshare, a window or outdoor seat at a favorite Newport Restaurant, or the cockpit of Obsession. 

View from Long Wharf Resort 

A magnificent sunset behind our neighbor, Marquise

 We have accomplished much, but also have managed to waste some time enjoying the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover and the ever changing harbor. We see old friends and meet new ones on the launch, and make plans for a summer of fun and cruising locally. 

Favorite Simmons professor Jane Hardin and Richard

Entrance to Volvo Ocean Race Village

VOR Boats are all dockside and awaiting over 100,000 visitors

MP35s Racing in Narragansett Bay

It’s been cold and rainy, even the sunny, warm days have been few and far between this month of May.  It has not made living aboard easy but the propane heater/fireplace we bought last spring has come in handy a few evenings and even a few mornings. 

A NP43 sighting during a thunderstorm. 

Accomplishments:

Most “stuff” is now stowed away down below, the sails are up and the canvas is snapped in place, all the decks decks have been cleaned, the dinghy (OCD) has been scrubbed and the outboard engine is running. The fuel and water tanks are all topped off. 

The water heater and water pump had to be replaced. And we had to solve the puzzle of why we had no water pressure.  I have the best mechanic. 

Everything comes out of cupboards to search out a clogged waterline. 

Enjoyable moments (Wastin’ time):

The Volvo Ocean Race Stopover. 

It was the impetus for Newport’s Waterfront to come alive. We watched the harbor change from an empty winter refuge to a bustling summer resort. The transformation was amazing and still on-going. 

The Eagle came to visit Newport and the Volvo Village

The quiet mornings.

some are so still you can only hear the faint tapping of the halyards of nearby boats, others can be so foggy that the fog horn from the Newport Bridge and the clanging of the bells marking the harbor entrance calmly lull you back to sleep. The best, though are the crisp, clear mornings as the sun rises and proudly shouts out, “Get up-come and enjoy this glorious day with me!” 

The sunsets.

My phone has over 5,000 pictures-I’m  sure 4,000 are sunsets!

OFFICIAL SPLASHDOWN

She’s in, she floats, the engine runs. 

Obsession was one of the first boats launched and it was a week earlier than we had originally planned. We are cleaning down below and stowing all our stuff. I’m always amazed how we manage to find places for everything. 

Two interesting sightings from a trip to East Greenwich to pick up the Bimini, dodger and enclosure. 

We acvomplish a few chores every day. . Gone are the days when we had only the weekends to do these things, so we  now take our time. We made sure we also took time to enjoy the amenities of our condo right up to the very end.  The fireplace, the cocktails on the deck, the sunsets, the view, etc.

The weather has been so strange this spring. Snow late into April, lots of rain and wind all month, and now...May 1-5, sunny, warm and even downright hot! (90 degrees!) But this day was downright cold down below. Cosmo even found a sweater. 

 We are now in our timeshare in Newport overlooking the harbor and everyday since we’ve been here (Tuesday, May 1) we have seen more boats arriving in the harbor.

 Obsession should be on her mooring in the harbor May 7 or 8. A minor setback for us is having to replace the hot water heater. It should arrive today (Friday)  and David will find his way into impossible places to remove the old one and fit the new one back in. 

Lunch at the Tipsy Seagull is a promise of a summer and our Winter Dream Cruise to come. 

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the  Volvo Ocean Racers. They are speeding up the Atlantic Ocean and the first finishers think they will be here May 8. Team Vestas 11th Hour Racing is our “Home Port” boat with some local RI sailors aboard. They’ve experienced a few mishaps along the way, including a dismasting during leg 7. They limped their way to Itaji, Brazil, re-rigged, and were ready to head home in record time. At this point Vestas is poised to be one of the top finishers.

COUNTING DOWN 25 DAYS

Just 25 Days? So much to do. Here’s where we stand. 

Our Condo is rented-we move out May 1.

Although we didn’t need a moving truck, our neighbors across the street did. 

Obsession is on the list to be launched the last week of April.. 

Cosmo is relaxing while we do all the work. 

We have a Timeshare in Newport for the first week in May. This is one of our favorite views from our Tieshare at Long Wharf Resort. 

We are going to work the docks for the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover May 8-20

Our Plans for summer activities include:

Independence Day Fireworks

July 2 in Block Island

We will definitely save time for a mudslide or 2...or 3.

July 3 in Bristol 

A quick trip to Bristol last fall between hurricanes was fun and chance to enjoy sailing in our own Narragansett Bay. 

July 4 in Newport 

) 

August 5 Fireworks in Cuttyhunk

Cuttyhunk’s first fireworks fiesta was fantastic! We had front row seats from our boat on anchor in our favorite spot. 

August 18 Fireworks in Oak Bluffs

Definitely we will take a walk around the Campgrounds and enjoy the yearly concert as well. 

(All weather permitting-of course)

We hope to begin our trek South August 21.

 Our winter activities since the end of January included:

 a Patriots AFL Championship Rally in Providence and the send off from Gillette Stadium. 

An overnight in Newport-enjoying the Burger Challenge. 

I really enjoyed being able to do jigsaw puzzles on our big dining room table. This one was Perrin’s favorite!

A fire in he fireplace, watching TV and enjoying the sunset from my chair. 

j

storm and weather watching became our winter past time. Wind, snow, cold temperatures made the winter a long one. Right into April. The 15 day forecast says we will get more snow Saturday, April 7. ENOUGH MOTHER NATURE!

So we decided to take a break in March on a Cruise Ship Cruise from NYC to the Bahamas, 

The next month will be busy, packing, cleaning, downsizing, moving. 

We are looking forward to the nicer weather, longer days, and being on the boat again.