Home Run

After our pounding on the Alligator River, it was an easy decision to make to pull into the shelter of Coinjock.  Here, we had the pleasure of hot showers and a huge, very tasty seafood dinner at their popular restaurant.  We think they forgot our serve of hushpuppies though.  Never mind, next time!  We were keen to keep on moving, as miles were now vanishing under our keel at an amazing rate.  Great Bridge turned out to be another excellent stop – out of the wind, supermarkets close by and a free dock for 48 hours.  We took up that challenge (yet again) and shared a few bread crusts with other visitors biding time here - some very bossy Canada Geese. 

Tied up at Great Bridge between the Bridge & the Lock

C'mon Lady, deliver the goods or else...

With only 12 miles to Norfolk, we made an easy day of it.  Starting with the Great Bridge Lock, we pushed off into the Elizabeth River to undertake several bridge openings before meeting the heavily industrialised Portsmouth and Norfolk.  We arrived at Mile 0, off Hospital Point, yet again having to wait for northerlies to abate (just another 2 days on anchor – at least the sun was shining) to complete our last 47 miles up the Chesapeake to Deltaville.  

Waiting for the lock to open. Lowering of 2.5ft & from fresh into salt water

Back into the real world. Even our bicycle looks impressed...

We left Hospital Point, as scheduled but could hardly see for thick fog!  Thankfully, shipping traffic was minimal, Navy ships barely visible and only one large ship came into port, blasting alerts as he moved up river.  We noted again, we were the only ones heading north, tried to keep on the edge of the channel and were relieved to finally break out into Chesapeake Bay – even if we still couldn’t see anything.  

Don't look now, but something is following us...

Big shipyards and Norfolk city beyond

Nine hours later, WJ3 pulled into Broad Creek Marina where we are currently tied to the Transient Dock until it is time to haul us into their yard.  It’s still freezing and the Cap’n has just dashed off on a mercy mission to buy a heater for the cabin. He can never resist an opportunity to visit Hurd's Hardware! 

Warming up at last

By now you have seen many, many photos of our splashes and hauls, so we will end our 2025 posts here.  WJ3 will be sitting idle in the yard until our return to Deltaville in April/May 2026, with plans for time spent messing about on the Chesapeake and the Other Woman’s maintenance.  Right now, we’re looking forward to 12 months at home, even if we are looking down the barrel at yet another winter.  Just whose idea was this??

Just hauled out in time before the heavens opened and foul winds blew

We promise to be back for more adventures end of April 2026.  Though no more open oceans, no more long voyages!  Just a casual cruise and catch-up on what's been happening along the shores of the Chesapeake in our absence!