2025-06-22 Mainsail work finished - and heading north into heat and flies

 

Kris continued her chiropractic visits twice a day on Monday.  She also continued to work on the mainsail cover. Let's just say that this is not a happy project for her, and lots of frustration is involved.   She went up the mast 4 or 5 times to try to adjust and fit the top of the cover to the mast, which Dean can barely reach, but Kris needs to be hoisted up 8 ft to work with pinning the fabric.

Fun watching large ships pass by the anchorage

Kris made many many trips here, but her back is much better

Tuesday we had some rain off and on, and got the water tanks filled up.  We also spent some time calling around to haul out yards to find out current pricing to plan our haul out for late August.  It's only been a year, but we want to plug another thru hull (should have done it in Trinidad) and might as well touch up the bottom pain while we are at it.   As well as planning a visit to the West Coast to visit family while the boat is hauled.

Wednesday, the feel like temperature was 102 degrees, so not a lot got done in the afternoons.  Kris worked on the mainsail cover in the morning, and we sat by our fans, or outside in the shade in the breeze.  Had some visitors each day.  Kris resisted a couple of days, but then did give in and share her wheat bread with them.

Luckily, they refrained from leaving deposits on the step

Kris sharing some bread

Thursday was another hot one, but we headed back to Lowes on the bus, as our vacuum and sander that Dean uses for doing bottom jobs died in Trinidad.  Portsmouth was the easiest spot we will have until we haul out in late August to get a new shop vac and sander.  It was June 19^th, and being a holiday, the bus was free – so we were happy on that.  We rescued a nice hat on one of our many dinghy trips to shore.   No boats to rescue this time, so our standards are dropping to just hats.

Kris also finished the mainsail cover on Thursday.  She doesn't like it. Not happy with how it looks, but it is functional, but not a project she will show off, that is for sure.

We had been in Portsmouth 9 days, so it was time to head north, especially with the hot weather continuing into the feel like temps over 100, so we looked at the weather for heading north.  

Fun looking at all the military ships on the way through Norfolk

Always something to see on the water around here

We usually like to be in Long Island sound by July 1, for fireworks and weather, which meant only 10 days to get there, and it takes about 6 days to comfortably go up the Chesapeake and down the Delaware to be in position to make the offshore jump to Long Island Sound.   So instead we took a not ideal weather window and left Friday night, motoring for the first 6 hours, then sailing downwind for the next 12, then motor, then sail, then motor, then sail, then .... - We are not there yet, hoping to time going all the way to Port Washington, but need to time it with the tides, meaning we have until tonight until 7:00 p.m. or so - we will try to make it, but don't know until later today if we will.

One thing we like about our boat is the ease with which we can pull the screens over all the openings to keep the bugs out of the boat.  While offshore Friday night, we did not close the main door screen as we did not notice any bugs during the night – but they were sneaky.  Around 10:00 in the morning, after Kris got up from her nap, she went on a fly killing spree and got 16 of the irritating little pests.  How we got 16 flies in without either of us noticing them at all during the night remains a mystery.    However, Saturday night, the flies returned, many many many flies - but at least we are ready for them and the boat is closed up against them.  Irritating outside, but good inside.  

One of the 100's outside just waiting to get in

The overnight passages have been cold, and even Dean is wearing sweats to stay warm.   Seems odd because starting tonight until Wednesday there is an extreme heat watch for the area

Lots of heat coming.

2025-06-05 Up the mast, down the mast, and repeat - more time in Portsmouth

Monday we took the bus to Lowes.  There is a main bus hub less than 1/2 mile from the dinghy dock, which makes it super convenient to get to many places in Portsmouth.  Bus is $2 per person, so not too bad.

Decent buses, clean and not too full

Lots of very pretty lilac bushes/trees in the area.  Smell wonderful and very pretty in full bloom

We needed some longer bolts, and some PVC pipe to build a support for the new anchor light, having lost the old one, and since the old one was no longer made we could not purchase a direct replacement that would easily mount - of course - so had to build a custom support.   

Got hungry, and had time to kill before the next bus came after our Lowes shopping, so tried a new place called "Cook Out".  We have seen a lot of these in the Southeast, but had never eaten there.  Burgers were good, fries only so-so.    

Back at the boat, Dean got all the tools together and Kris hoisted him up the mast - so happy we have an electric winch - it makes taking someone up the mast an easy task.   Unfortunately, when he went to hook up the new anchor light, he found that the wires coming out the top of the mast, which he had tied in place, had managed to slip through the line and had disappeared into the mast.  He did get the new Raymarine wind vane installed though, and it worked right away, so that was a win.

Large hole where the wires were, no wires. 

So - now what.   We have a 24" flexible grabber, so he took that up the mast to grab the wires - no luck.  Next trip he took up the flexible endoscope he could put in the hole to see where the wires were.  He could see them, but could not get the flexible grabber to reach them.  Part of the problem is the hole where the wires come out was not in line with the small PVC tube that holds our wires in the mast.  So decided to drill a hole directly over the PVC tube to reach the wires.  So back up the mast, with drill and drilled a hole.  Then down again and back up with the grabber and scope.   No luck.  Then a modified hook on the end of the scope, but not strong enough.    Between Monday and Tuesday, he made about 10 trips up and down the mast.   Kris's hand were getting raw from the lines, so she even put on sailing gloves as when you let someone down the mast, the lines slide through your hands, and it is a slow-controlled slide, but still burns a bit after 10 trips.  Deans legs were getting sore from death gripping the mast while trying to work at the top, as any little wake at boat level is amplified at mast top - so he had to grip with his legs around the mast.

Dean up the mast

Tuesday we ordered a longer gripper off of Amazon - that would arrive on Wednesday.   We walked up on Wednesday, picked it up.  Dean went up the mast, reached in the hole and got the wires.  So simple 😂  By the end of day Wednesday, the new anchor light was mounted and working.

New anchor/tricolor light mounted on "custom" PVC base.

Another project for the week was the dinghy.  It was leaking again on the patch over the bullet hole.   We decided the one part glue just was not working well, and we were running out of patch material as well.  Kris found a place online nearby called East Coast Inflatables that said they did repairs.  What a lucky find.  The guy came to our boat the same day - in his center console runabout - patched the lead with a two part adhesive, had thick patch material, and did not accept money until two days later when the patch was proven and not leaking.  All for only $200.  Super happy with his service.  We could have got more patch material - but shipping two part adhesives - dangerous chemicals is not permitted to Amazon lockers, so it would have been difficult for us to get the supplies needed.

The other project for the week was working on the new mainsail cover.  Kris's back was feeling good enough that she could work hunched over for short periods.  The mainsail cover is going about as well as the anchor light project, and as much un-sewing as sewing has been occurring.  It is also a pain to work on a 16' long by 12' wide project, when your workspace is only about 6' x 5'.

Kris working on mainsail cover.

So it was not all work and no play.  We went out for a nice dinner Tuesday night at a local Mexican restaurant, which was quite tasty.  

Mexican restaurant "Guads" in old historic building

We have enjoyed our walks to the bus station, and the Amazon locker, seeing new sights in downtown Portsmouth.  There are quite a few murals in Portsmouth.

It is also entertaining to watch the ship traffic, a combination of pleasure boats, cruise ships, and large ships with tug escorts.

Have had rain off and on, keeping temperatures cooler, which is nice.  Using the rain catchment, we have not had to run our water maker in the last two weeks, and have done a couple loads of laundry as well.  There is also enough sun that are batteries are staying up as well.

Water catch still working well, keeping tanks topped off.

Kris is still having chiropractic appointments 8 times a week, and getting better, so that is good.  She was able to walk 3 miles to the grocery store on Saturday, and take the bus back without being exhausted at the end of the trip.

We will spend the rest of the week here, more chiropractor appointments, and working on the mainsail cover.  We thought we would be sick of the area, but surprisingly it has been a great spot to spend a bit of time.

View of the anchorage - dark clouds coming in - more rain coming.

Nice sunset over Hospital point

2025-06-08 - Norfolk for Harborfest and healing for Kris

We stayed on the free dock another night, and then on Tuesday moved to the bulkhead wall next to Deep Creek bridge where we usually stop, as there is a Food Lion, and good pizza restaurant so close.  It's not a scenic stop, but convenient.  There are doing construction on the bridge, so the area is additional rough looking with construction trailers and fencing.

Kris not feeling well at all, but went ahead and made the 1000 ft. walk from the boat to the store and back.  She made it, but had to rest 3 or 4 times during the trip.

Dean finished getting groceries, and got pizza to bring back to the boat as Kris assumed her unhappy position back in the salon.

Back pain, stomach pain - not a happy camper

Dean enjoyed his pizza for dinner, and Kris ate a couple of bites, before giving up and her stomach pains were getting worse.

Deep Creek bridge bulkhead - not scenic

We enjoy the trip up the ICW from Beaufort, NC to Norfolk, but the water is the negative.  It is not dirty water, but colored brown from all the tannins from decaying vegetation.  

Tap water on left, Dismal swamp water on right

Unfortunately, the tannins do stain the boat exterior as well, so at some point after Norfolk we will have to clean the hull to make it nice and white again.

Wednesday we got the first lock north, and went and filled up with diesel at Top Rack Marina.  They consistently have the best diesel prices we can find.  It's a weird little place, with condo's, docks, fancy restaurant and racked small boat inside storage.

Once tanks were filled, we headed north to Portsmouth/Norfolk.  We found a nice open spot to anchor, and then at 4:00 went in to see the Chiropractor.  They did a full exam, and took x-rays of Kris's full spine, as they were concerned about some possible rib breakage.   They did an adjustment after checking the x-rays - which showed no obvious breaks, but lots of spine issues.  Part of the adjustment was to "open" up Kris's pylorus sphincter, which is a "valve" between the stomach and small intestine.  It brought immediate relief for Kris's pain, as did the back adjustment.  

Thursday, back to chiropractor for another adjustment - which meant Kris actually ate a meal on Thursday and felt more like a normal person.   

Friday, we walked to the Post Office, as our new anchor light had arrived.   After that we walked up to the local WaWa gas station that has an Amazon locker, and picked up our small Amazon order and then back to the boat.  Almost 2 miles, and Kris was able to make it, although pretty exhausted at the end.  Portsmouth has a very scenic residential downtown area, and we enjoyed walking and seeing a bit of it. A few photos below of some of the scenic items.

Very cute house - well-kept

Herringbone brick sidewalks everywhere - must watch your step

Nice sandstone? Church

Nice mix of architectural features

Friday was the start of Norfolk Harbor fest.   We enjoy watching all the boat traffic, and seeing the fireworks, and wandering through the activities.  The anchorage is big enough to take quite a few boats, but of course, this year we had extremely inconsiderate people choose to anchor practically on top of us.  Then they had a friend raft up, making them even worse.  Then of all things, after the wind shifted, and they pulled a different direction, they upped anchor because they were too close to a boat behind us, and anchored even closer.  

Pictures don't do it justice, they were about 30' behind us.

Worse was they pretty much completely ignored us the entire time, not even acknowledging the situation.  We on Charm try to stay pretty low-key, non-confrontational, but these folks were sure pushing our boundaries.    Luckily there was very little wind, and although we spun around in many different directions, we never touched, and they had people onboard the entire time, so we felt we could leave our boat.  If they had all left the boat at some time - Kris might have stepped over the boundary - not a pretty sight.

Friday we saw the parade of boats - the start of Harbor fest.   Friday night was the drone show - neat to watch, but it only lasts maybe 10 minutes max.  Saturday we took the dink over the activities at Harbor fest.  Saw part of a comedy / unicycle / juggling show, and had an ice cream.  Had a great view of the Coast Guard demonstration as well. We last saw it with our friends Ed and Cathy on What If who enjoyed Harbor fest with us 2 years ago while on their boat.

Parade of boats - starts with fire boats spraying water

Tall ships always in parade of boats

Juggling/Unicycle/Comedy show

Glad diving has progressed past this

Watching Coast Guard demonstration

Saturday night was the fireworks show.   It is an impressive party because you are so close to it, but it is a decent show even from further away.

Photos taken with our little Olympus waterproof camera from the bow, no zoom.

Fireworks and lights of downtown Norfolk in the background

We were fortunate the wind was blowing the smoke from the fireworks just to the south of us, right up until the grand finale - at which point the wind shifted over our way.

Sunday morning, we awoke to a very dirty deck.  Luckily, rain forecast, so Dean got out and scrubbed the deck using salt and the brush just as the rain started, and it got a nice fresh rinse.

Dean out scrubbing in the rain

We have decided to stay a bit here in Norfolk, continuing Kris's back treatments for a while to get her healed up before moving north.

2025-06-01 Into the Dismal Swamp

The dinghy is patched and still not leaking air, not sure how many times it has been glued but this time, knock on wood, it is holding.

We left Sojourns dock and motored o Belhaven,  Stayed in Belhaven for two days due to winds out of the east and rainy weather.  Did not get off the boat.

Rainy days in Bellhaven

Our view from the Salon windows.

 After Bellhaven we motored up to the south end of Alligator River with light winds and no rain, some long straight stretches.

In the Alligator river - Pungo river canal

It was a cold day, but relaxing

 

 Had a great sail from the south end of Alligator River up to Elizabeth City.   The new main sail did a great job. 

 

Even Dean is wearing a jacket

Took the free dock at Jennette Brothers food distribution.  You can dock for free as long as you dine out locally.

Charm at Jeanette Bros free dock

 

Thursday we did a almost 5 -mile round trip walk, up to the UPS store, Harbor Freight tools and the Food Lion.  The city has some interesting old buildings and a nice brick road.

Nice brick home

Looks like they just put pavement over the brick road

Back at the dock, did some work on the main sail cover and helped a couple of other boaters dock.  The last folks to dock were Paul and Colleen off TrianaMarie.  We had met them a couple of years ago in the Bahamas, and it was nice to get caught up on where they have been and what they are doing.

Usually we will go to Big Boss Burrito for lunch, but they were closed for AC work.  Ended up at Elizabeth City Pizza, ok but not what we had been planning on. 

Elizabeth City Pizza

 

 

Elizabeth City sunrise 

Next morning Kris woke up with bad back pain and breastbone pain.  Then further symptoms that left her system empty of food.  So instead of leaving we decided to stay a bit to let Kris heal up.  

Friday was no better, so she did go see a Chiropractor in town, which seemed to help a bit.   She was able to eat a banana Friday night without it coming back up.  We decided one more day was prudent to stay. Saturday was better, but new symptoms arose, but at least she could eat.

We left Elizabeth City on Sunday, today, and motored with 4 other boats up to the Dismal Swamp.  Usually there is maybe 1 other boat on the trip, but today we had a monohull, two catamarans, and two power boats.  That made docking/staying at the free Dismal Swamp Visitor Center dock not really an option.  Adjusting our plan, we made it a few more miles to the Douglas free dock.  A bit smaller, but we are the only ones here.   We said we motored, but mostly Dean motored and Kris laid on her back inside and groaned a bit off and on.

Douglas Free Dock 

Well, not to be left out, Dean decided to join Kris in misery.  Dean thought that an overhead branch was taller than it was.  After docking tonight had the pleasure of going to the top of the mast and straighten the lighting rod, straighten the windex, taking down the electronic windex, and taking down the tricolor light.  Tomorrow will be ordering some new parts.  You know, we do need some project to keep us busy.  Thank goodness the tree branch took out the two most expensive items to replace, and not those cheap ones. 😄

It is always good to replace parts sometimes just for the heck of it

 

 should be a bit straighter

 

Had a back-up blogger fill in this week, hopefully the "normal" one is back for next week.