We’ve been busy cruisin’ rather than blogging – sorry!

After Cuttyhunk, we sailed to Edgartown – initially flying the spinnaker and by the time we  got close to Edgartown we were working with reefed main and small jib! We’d passed the diminutive Olive Oyl (Cape Dory 30 with Doug and Sallie aboard) while spinnakering along vineyard sound – passed them like they were standing still. But when we arrived in Edgartown, no sooner had we dropped the anchor than they came rolling in – with big grins – if a little wet! They’d been romping along with full sail up!

We enjoyed arrival beverages aboard Grayce – another of the OCC fleet, with crew from Jamin, Olive Oyl and Blue Yonder. Fortunately, Jamin were able to give us a lift as our new tender is simply untenable in bumpy conditions. (More on that later.)

Most of the OCC fleet were now in Edgartown, with our group anchored and another group on the inside moorings, but Toodle-oo! left the following morning for Oak Bluffs to be closer to our hosts for the evening, Lee and Elizabeth, who hosted a wonderful barbecue at their house overlooking Vineyard Sound, and entertained us with ‘The Vineyard Sound’ an Achapello group that we’d been introduced to on last year’s OCC Cruise at Fred and Anne Osborne’s house in Edgartown. What a delight.

We next sailed through Woods Hole and across Buzzards Bay to Beverly Yacht Club in Marion where we were joined by the several boats of the Chesapeake’s ‘Fishing Bay Yacht Club’ so we were finally a full complement with over 40 people in attendance at Beverly YC who did a splendid job of hosting the fleet.

Our next venue was Provincetown – but unfortunately it was a long motor there as the winds had deserted us. Most boats took up moorings in P’Town while Grayce and Toodle-oo! took to the hook by the far shore. The anchorage was well protected, but the open bay was quite a challenge for our Green Demon tender – especially when coming home after a day in town, against 15knot winds and choppy seas – we were wet indeed when we got home and immediate showers were called for! This dinghy is a problem!

We had a bit of a success in P’Town however – our first use of the new washing machine aboard Toodle-oo!  The power drill powered spin drying turning out to be a major success!

The fleet headed to Boston after our two night sojourn in colourful P’Town – once again the the winds were a problem – lack of and directly on the nose… Jamin did a grand job of sailing half way in spite of this and shamed us into joining them… On arrival, the fleet split into two groups – 6 boats took to the anchorage right opposite the city and the others took moorings with Waterboat Marina – right in the thick of downtown Boston. Couldn’t ask for better locations – though once again we were challenged with an

incapable tender which was now beginning to restrict our cruising abilities. We plotted ways and means of unloading this thing and getting back to a sensible inflatable that we could actually manage. The tender was also gaining something of a reputation in the fleet as the morning VHF net hosted by George Sadler aboard Kittiwake announced the grand prize for a music trivia quiz to be a ride in Toodle-pip!

 

Boston was a great destination and we were treated with Fireworks on July 2^nd, shot off right from Waterboat Marina. Abigail showed up with her friend Steph for the 4^th – making for a really interesting dinghy ride! And later that afternoon we made the pilgrimage with Jamin and Grayce to hear the Boston Pops and watch the Firework display. 500,000 people showed up for the event – the place was mobbed and although the sound system wasn’t really capable, the wait for the fireworks was completely worthwhile – absolutely fantastic and the concussions were phenomenal.