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barneyanddiane


38 Blog Entries
1 Trip
331 Photos

Trips:

Barney and Diane

Shorthand link:

http://blogabond.com/barneyanddiane




It got cold, so we turned back south

Boothbay Harbor, United States


Towards the end of August it started to get colder, so we decided we had reached our furthest north for the year, and turned to head south. The coast of Maine was very different from the rest of the East Coast, with deep water, rugged cliffs and rocks to avoid. There were thousands of islands to explore and sail between. Definately worth returning.

The temperature was dropping and it was finally time to instal the heater we had bought the year before in Deltaville.

Whilst sailing south passed Cape Cod we passed through a Right Whale designated sanctuary. We looked long and hard for hours and eventually were rewarded with a pair of whales jumping and playing. Thankfully not too close to the boat. This is the picture I would have taken with the right camera and timing.

Later in the day more whales came closer but were calmer just doing the blowing and swimming stuff.

This time I got some pictures, but never quite at the right time, but you get the idea.

The weather was treating us well and we made good progress south for our training course we had booked in Newport RI.

We were heading for Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, but were held in harbour by some strong winds for a few days. Luckily we had found a very sheltered bay with free moorings. When we finally left, along with others in the bay we had a great sail to Newport. We were passed by another sail boat and had the chance to take and exchange pictures of our boat under full sail.




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on October 1, 2009 from Boothbay Harbor, United States
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Into Maine. Freeport via Jewel Island

Freeport, United States


We sailed north into Maine and stopped at the Isle of Shoals. We visited Smuttynose Island in the evening and had a nice walk and met the slightly mad volunteer ranger.

We also met his goats

Next door was Star Island, a Unitarian Retreat.

We knew we were in Maine as the sea was thick with lobster pot markers.

The main sail was on its last legs, but luckily there was a new one on its way.

The day we finally found the sail was very exciting and Mr Crispy, as the sail in now known, is greatly appreciated.

Barney did get a little carried away by the moment.

The island was called 'Pound of Tea' I can only assume it was cheap.


We stopped at the beautiful Jewel Island

and enjoyed a long walk ashore

WW2 lookout towers gave great views of the islands



It was not easy to get lost either.




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on September 27, 2009 from Freeport, United States
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Long Island Sound up to Boston

Provincetown, United States


Sailing was fantastic up the Long Island Sound and we were glad to be away from the big city.

We stopped at the Thimbles on the North Shore where holiday homes perched on small rocks.

We visited the Hamptons and ended up in Block Island on a very busy weekend.

A long walk ashore rewarded with a small plate of Nachos.


After a quick trip to Newport to book onto a training course for later in the year, we headed North again up Buzzards Bay and through the Cape Cod Canal.


We were told it was cold up north, but still warm enough for a swim on a hot still day.

We sailed to Province Town on Cape Cod.

Then into Boston Bay for some great sun sets over the city.



permalink written by  barneyanddiane on August 10, 2009 from Provincetown, United States
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New York, New York

New York, United States


We sailed up the New Jersey Coast and into New York. Very Busy harbour with barges, ferries and tripper boats. We saw this famous lady too.

We visited Ellis island, the immigration centre for NY for many years. Lots of interesting history and stylish architecture.

After 2 days we had enough and left up the East River, nearly got landed on by a plane.

Saw some crazy mansions built on the top of tower blocks

And were glad to escape to the relative peace on Long Island Sound.


permalink written by  barneyanddiane on July 27, 2009 from New York, United States
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Sailing in Chesapeake Bay

Baltimore, United States


After launching we took a few new friends from the yard sailing. Some who had never sailed, some who needed a reminder of what it was all about.

We sailed north up the Chesapeake Bay taking a week or 2 on a small side Mission to Washington DC.

We spent two days in the noisy city and managed a few memorials, museums and statues before we could walk no more and became tired of tourism.

We sailed on to Solomons Island up the bay and spent a few days watching the world go by whilst fixing the raw water pump on the engine. We watched this beautiful reproduction boat come into the harbour, but they were unable to drive away from the fuel dock and had to be towed out to see. The skipper should be flogged.

Once all was repaired we had some great sailing days up to Annapolis to meet our first guests of the season.

Iris and Wilson joined us for a week to enjoy the pleasures of cruising.

Wilson donating some equipment and expertise to enable Barney to catch our first fish of the season, an 8 pound cat fish. Wilson also lend the will power to hit it repeatedly over the head so Iris could get it into the oven.

A common but still wonderful sight are the Osprey nesting on the marker posts around the bay. Each week the chicks get bigger and louder.

We also enjoyed the fireworks on the 4th July, but the locals were most surprised when we said we didnt celebrate the day !

We then sailed into busy Baltimore to bid farewell to our guests, whilst surrounded by dragons !




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on July 4, 2009 from Baltimore, United States
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Getting the boat ready for 2009

Richmond, United States


We flew into Richmond Virginia and back to the boat yard to find our beloved Sea Gal. Then the work started.

We scraped

And we sanded

Then we painted

It was tough

Then like proud parents

We let her go for a swim

Down the ramp and into the water. Off for another summer of adventure. With her new paint and plenty of repairs she was ready for the summer and we were ready for a rest.

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on May 7, 2009 from Richmond, United States
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Off to Davos in Switzerland

Davos Dorf, Switzerland


}After training it was off to find our new home for the winter. The beautiful Tivoli Lodge. Right on the slope, very new chalet with all the satellite, and wifi we could need. Also a wonderful pool to enjoy ( and fix ).


First order of the day was to meet the new team. Helena , Ali, Lucy and Ayshea.

Then Christmas seemed to turn up pretty fast.

It kept snowing and Ali kept clearing it away.

We managed plenty of skiing on our days off, and especially memorable day was taken with Tony ski touring. Basically walking up mountains and skiing off-Piste down them. Pretty knackering for us unfit people. But great views.












permalink written by  barneyanddiane on December 20, 2008 from Davos Dorf, Switzerland
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Off to the Alps for the winter

Moutiers, France


Well it was off to France for our 2nd season with Descent. We started with a training course in a hotel in Brides-le-Bains near Moutier in France. Diane did a sterling job of organizing the hotel and the logistics of the training, with plenty of spreadsheets of course. Barney fixed a few things, and learnt how to set fire to stuff. Mainly some tissue hot air baloons on the last night.





permalink written by  barneyanddiane on December 15, 2008 from Moutiers, France
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Quick trip to UK

Bristol, United Kingdom


After Sea Gal was put to bed we headed back to the UK for a week to catch up with family and friends just in time for bonfire night.

Barney also had time to see his beautiful Neice and Nephew

It was also Granny Mary Taylors 90th Birthday ( again )

After a quick rest it was back to the Alps.


permalink written by  barneyanddiane on November 1, 2008 from Bristol, United Kingdom
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Into the Chesapeake

Annapolis, United States


To continue North into the Chesapeake Bay we used the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Very pleasant despite its name, probably more dismal for the slaves who dug it.
We also enjoyed traversing the only lock on the waterway.

Once into the Chesapeake bay we sailed to Annapolis to a large boat show.

On leaving Annapolis we had the pleasure on sailing with the annual Chesapeake Bay schooner race.


We saw some beautiful old boats, including this one, probably Kierans next !

Work continued on the boat, with Barney mostly under the engine ( look carefully )

And Diane created a beautiful leather wheel cover from a small cow.

As the weather got colder Diane dressed up in some fetching new accessorise.

Soon it was time to put the boat to bed and head back to the alps.
We lifted the boat to store in a yard in Deltaville Virginia.




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on October 15, 2008 from Annapolis, United States
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