Catskill to New York New York

Tuesday 30th September
Left Catskill Creek finally and after pumping out, filling with water, diesel, spare diesel and gasoline for the outboard, we headed off out into the Hudson once more.
You see some strange sights on the water, such as this giant robot (or whatever it is) left to rot on the shore.

We entered the Rondout River at Kingston in the afternoon, passing the lighthouse at it's entrance to the Hudson,

on our way up the river to an anchorage.

Wednesday 1st October
The morning in this quiet anchorage was something to see.

From across the river, Incognita lies in the mist.

On we go to the next chosen spot to anchor, Pollepel Island with it`s strange medieval castle.

Check the link Bannerman`s Castle to find out what it`s really all about. Our arrival was ill-timed as a mild squall hit us just as we were negotiating the narrow passage behind the island where the anchorage is. We dropped the anchor sooner than I would have liked but it held and we were OK apart from the all-night train noises from close by.

Thursday 2nd October
On leaving Pollepel the first thing you pass is West Point. If you were to come up the river from the New York City end, this is what you see. Pretty impressive and intimidating.

Hey, we actually sailed today, for about an hour and a half when the wind blew consistently from behind with some strength. We managed over 7 knots on the GPS against the current with just the jib up. We stayed overnight at Nyack on the West side of the Hudson for a fairly bumpy night.

Friday 3rd October
This is the day we get to the Big Apple. And you can`t help but feel some excitement as you pass under the George Washington Bridge and move down the West side of Manhattan.

Our destination , the 79th Street basin where you pick up a mooring can and get access to a dinghy dock and you`re only two blocks from Broadway. You wouldn`t want to try and anchor here, the current is horrendous and at $30 a night for the mooring, a bargain for NYC.

Carol had fun provisioning (cruiserspeak for shopping) at a Fairview.
We had supper in the cockpit looking out on the lights of Manhattan and the New Jersey side with frigid temperatures, the sirens continuously wailing from both sides of the river, the wake from passing boats making Carol feel seasick – a totally romantic experience.