Here we are at the winter solstice already! I celebrated it by taking the family out on a sail. Actually, Emmet took us out; I handled the dock lines and hoisted the sails. The wind was light, but since it was seventy degrees, we really couldn't pass it up. We had a better breeze two days ago when Emmet and I set out to explore Nine Foot Shoal Channel. I hadn't tried that in years since the last time I took the older, larger Windfall in there on a sunset cruise and touched bottom in a few spots. It was a piece of cake with the new schooner and we sailed clear out to the open sound and back without seeing less than six feet on the fathometer.
I can only hope that this mild weather continues into the winter. About a month ago, my friend Bill and I took a three day cruise to "little" Washington and back. We'd taken on a supply of fresh shrimp so when we got to the dock at Pamlico Plantation, we had our friends Frank and Patti aboard for Frogmore Stew (something I hadn't had since my Hilton Head days back in the 80's). I know that most of you (if not all THREE) who read this "blog" have probably been aboard for a day sail or two, but the little schooner is a pure joy to cruise in. Her only drawback is the ghastly faded pink upholstery which Sundae is currently in the process of replacing for my Christmas present. The new fabric is a nice Scotch plaid which almost cries out for a tired old salt to sit down 'neath the oil light for a wee dram o' single malt!
Merry Christmas!
7 comments:
Rob,
I'm hoping that you'll consider me for one of your future cruises once we get ourselves permanently established on Ocracoke. I'm not an old salt yet, but I'd sure like to work on it!
Gary
Would a dram of Oban suffice? Or would you prefer Glenlivit? Thanks to you, my wife and I end every sail with a shot of Pyrat XO Reserve rum.
The favorite this month is Talisker although it's funny you should mention the Pyrat. There's always a bottle of that aboard as well, courtesy of Jim Goodwin who builds model ships in bottles. I help him prepare the bottles (they have to be empty)!
Talisker can be arranged. I will have to look for one of Jim's model ships in a Pyrat bottle the next time I am on Ocracoke. Does he ever build models of the Windfall?
Indeed he does. I have three or four at home. The Village Craftsmen shop usually has some, but if not, you can contact Jim and request one.
Here's a link to my current favorite scotch which I will have to bring on our next, and hopefully permanent, trip here.
http://www.whiskynotes.be/2011/kilchoman/kilchoman-spring-2011/
Lovely new upholstery, that's a good lookin' boat! Glad you got to take her for an extended cruise.
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