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!  

Trial Run

Great Bridge: 15^th September

Our first adventure gave our guests a taste, albeit a small one, of America’s vast Intra-Coastal Waterway.  Norfolk marks Mile 0 and our smooth run south up the Elizabeth River to Great Bridge, offered a couple of easy hours of river cruising.  This section of the ICW reveals the extent of the area’s shipping industry.  We dodged all manner of craft, but especially large tows and tugs going about their daily business.  There is also the chance to transit beneath modern and rustic iron bridges, avoid seemingly low hanging electrical cables and even lock through the Great Bridge Lock that separates salt and fresh water.  Despite all the industry, charming sections of swamp cedars, marshlands and wooded pine forest that importantly offer homes to a variety of animal & bird life, provide us a taste of  “wild” river experience.

Great Bridge (an interesting bascule bridge) with tow going through (photo from 2009)

WJ3 tied up at the dock between Great Bridge and the Great Bridge Lock
 (seen, closed, behind us) (photo 2009)

We settled in at the free dock between the lock and Great Bridge (a majestic bascule swing bridge).  Great Bridge is the site of an historic Revolutionary War Battle.  In 1775, in order to recruit more men, British Governor, John Murray offered slaves a chance to serve for their freedom.  That same year, on December 9^th, the Battle of Great Bridge saw a British force of 600 (half of whom were African American) defeated by Patriots.  This famous battleground was right beside our dock.  

Map of the Battle of Great Bridge (Norfolk's Cannonball
Walking Tour - taken through a Mall window at MacArthur Centre)

Chesapeake is home for Heather and Bill (Aeolus) and we had pre-planned a BBQ dinner with them.  How handy that Cap’n Trusty had docked us right next to a picnic table.  With flames from WJ3’s BBQ lighting up the night sky (much to the mirth of those not initiated in true BBQ performance), we feasted on a traditional Aussie barbie (with the exception of lamb chops – lamb is a wee bit hard to find) and finished off with lashings of Heather’s cheesecake.

The next morning, Heather drove us to the nearest supermarket to replenish our supplies and on the way, took a detour via a locally celebrated pop-up shop selling, wait for it,  Maine lobster rolls!  Our lunch, naturally!  Those tasty rolls conjured up memories of our trip to Maine (and dodging Hurricane Earl) that’s for sure.  This made for good “voyage” beginnings for us all.

Except for Herbert, who had made an overnight grab for a more upmarket spot under the bimini.  Our trusty Cap’n quickly resettled him in a nearby tree (a room with a view) and judging by the insect bites covering our arms & legs after, he would not starve.  Our guests were relieved!

Meet Herbert, boatyard friend and fellow live-aboard.
 Well, it is nearly Halloween...