Piankatank R. to Hampton Public Pier, Hampton River

It was eold and windy as we headed out of Fishing Bay this morning shortly after 0700.  We were bundled up and buttoned in, but still felt the chill, partly because the wind was on the starboard quarter and it is the one area I hadn't finished lengthening the "skirt" of the enclosure.  Dan described it like a mini skirt on a winter day.  Well, when we arrived here at Hampton, I "lowered" the hem on the starboard skirt.  Hopefully I'll get to the port side before the wind shifts to the East!

We attended a Seven Seas Cruising Association GAM at the end of September and came away with a few pointers about cruising, but the most interesting lecture was entitled, "50 frugal spots on the ICW."  Well, this is one of them.  We rounded the bottom of Hampton neck and headed up the Hampton River to the center of town.  The waterfront has been renovated and the Hampton Public Pier is quite a nice (and inexpensive) marina.

The trip down was a little rolly, but pretty fast with WNW winds 10-20 so we arrived at the dock, after stopping at Bluewater Yachting Center for fuel, at a little after two.  Not much to see along the way... Wolftrap Light presented itself in a rather eerie light,

Dan took pictures of the sunny and the shady side of Brunelle at her slip.  You can see that the sides are rolled up on the sunny side.  It works really well to open the leeward side while sailing...gives you good access to jib sheets and lets you have a clearer view.  

We were glad to leave the Deltaville area without needing some sort of repairs.  We have been watching the progress of others who left before us and it seems to be the spot where things go wrong and parts need to be ordered.  We have been hearing some strange creaks and groans the last two days, so while I was measuring, cutting and sewing, Dan was down in the port lazarette  (a feat in itself) going over the steering system with a fine tooth comb....well actually with several tools that needed to be handed down in the "hole" and he aslo gave the system a good greasing.  Hopefully no more squeaks.  After cocktails aboard, we walked a few blocks to Queens Way where we found a great dinner spot called Venture.  Back aboard for showers and a cozy night.  The heat is on!  It sounds like it won't warm up for a few more days, but we'll be in protected waters for the next few days as we head toward Mile Marker "0" of the ICW tomorrow.  Less sailing from now on.  ~~~_/)~~~M&D