Portsmouth to Solomans - Mundane motoring

Day 1 - We left Portsmouth with a send off from LT, Sue and John which was nice, felt odd but exciting to be leaving after such a long time in the marina and a relief that the first hurdle was over as the propeller successfully went into reverse. Annoyingly there was no wind so we were motoring, there were a few tugs motoring up and down the channel but life was pretty quiet.

John, Sue and LT

As we rounded the top of Norfolk the channel runs parallel to the naval base, there were 2 boats manoeuvring to  leave the base but there were still over 20 ships in the base of which 4 were aircraft carriers, it was all very impressive.  We took a few photos but were conscious that there were lots of look out towers lined with machine guns and we were often being watched so hopefully they did not mind us taking a few snaps.

We continued our tedious motoring north and into the main Chesapeake Bay. But our day brightened up with the site of bottled nosed dolphins, they didn't come and play but there were various small groups scattered around.  We decided to keep our first day back at sea short and headed into Back River to anchor, as we turned our air display began. At the head of the river is Langley military base and around 10 sets of 2 fighter planes took of from the base right over us, wow it was loud but if was an amazing spectacle.  We anchored mid afternoon and the planes continued until late afternoon, at least it wouldn't keep us awake.

The plane is up there just left of the mast

Two planes coming into land

As we sat in the cockpit for dinner we were joined by the dolphins, the swam up and down the river obviously fishing, it was a nice end to our first day back.

Day 2 - Up and out with the planes next morning, at least they did not start at sunrise. We were soon joined by the dolphins but unfortunately not the wind! Also frustrating for us is the Bay is very shallow so in the lower bay it is miles wide you cannot see east and west shores at the same time so almost like being at sea but the depth  a few miles off shore is less that 5 metres deep with various sandbanks so we have to motor for miles off the shore to the middle of the bay before we can head north. So there is little to see as you are too far from the shore and it adds hours to journey. 

Attempting to sail with sail up but motor on

 Day 2 was 38 miles of hot, dull, bug infested motoring before we reached Little Creek. It was very pretty surrounded by private houses, we had a peaceful night although we were rocked awake by the fishing boats!

Dragon Fly makes himself at home

Pretty sunset to finish off an otherwise dull day

The next day was much the same as the last motoring, hot and bugs but at least a shorter day of only 15 miles before we anchored off Wicomico River (what a great name). Anchorage was small and peaceful, very idyllic until wind changed and all we could smell was the fish oil factory! We were also getting sick of the heat as both of us were sleeping in Saloon as our bed in the stern cabin was just too hot.

Our neighbours the Crab House - not were the smell was coming from

One of the monster properties along the shoreline

Sun just up and passing the fishing boat off the fish oil factory

Up with the fishermen and more motoring this time 37 miles to Soloman Island and finally an opportunity to get off the boat! As we entered the harbour it was great to see so many other sailing boats, the shores were lined with small marinas.  We headed up the Creek and found the anchorage and lucky for us it was empty :) so we our pick of prime location.

Magnum happily at anchor

Next day we were itching to get off the boat and off we headed into the village , which us really one small street along a spit of land with the Putuxent River one side and Back Creek (yes another one!) the other.

Paxuxent River

Amanda silly hat!

Back creek

Here we stopped for 3 days taking it easy as still 35+ degrees C. Pretty place, main Street with a few shops and restaurants. Can recommend the Key Lime pie at Lotus Kitchen and we also had a delicious anniversary meal at CD Cafe, our 3rd anniversary had been earlier in the week and Amanda's generous parents sent money to treat ourselves :)