Jackson Creek to Norfolk

Saturday 1st November
We made it out of Jackson Creek without touching bottom which we did twice on the way in - didn't get stuck though.

By early afternoon we could see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in the distance and before too long we entered Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, looking for Cobb's Marina. That's when the navy intercepted us and told us (politely) not to proceed any futher in the direction we were going. (Little Creek also turned out to be the home of the US Navy's amphibious division and we unwittingly strayed too far into their part of the water!!).

There was a new experience for us at Cobb's where all the docking is by tying to pylons. It took us a couple of goes but eventually we we were secured.

Sunday 2nd November
Started installing the solar panels which had been delivered to the marina from Texas. Although West Marine (and Radio Shack and a supermarket) were within easy walking distance, it took a much longer walk to find a hardware store and some stainless U-Bolts, since rail mounts seem to be nearly impossible to find - go figure.

Monday 3rd November
Got the U-Bolts modified and the panels on top of the frame just before dark. Jobs always take way longer than expected on a sailboat.

Tuesday 4th November
Election day in the USA and I manage to run the wire for the panels before the forecast bad weather hits.

Buddy goes for a clipping but I think they gave us the wrong dog back.

We followed the election by refreshing the CNN web-page continuously. Hey, they managed to elect the right guy this time.

Wednesday 5th November
The weather is atrocious with the wind gusting from 40 to 50 knots and driving rain, so even if the installation had gone quicker we're still pretty much pinned down here.

Buddy whiled the time away reading on-line about the election aftermath.


Thursday 6th November
The winds have subsided (a little) and the rain has stopped but it's still not a good day for moving on and the solar panel installation isn't quite finished.

Tomorrow they are forecasting a return to good weather giving us chance to enter the ICW.