Leisurely sail in ideal conditions out of Willoughby Harbor Marina. Underway 09 ish in 60+ degree temps and about 10 kts of SW wind. Swilling hot tea around Willoughby we eventually headed out to the channel were we drifted about until chased away by a large, outbound merchant out of Panama. Reminded again that TS Channel makes a stbd bend past the carrier piers! Wind dropped and so we motored in finding the bottom twice in the vicinity of the Willoughby entrance buoy. Passed the Song Sung Blue heading outbound. Lunch on the deck toasting a wonderful morning. Yes!

With a crew of three departed Salt Ponds at 09:08 on a cool, breezy, clear day enroute to new home at Willoughby Harbor Marina. 10+ Kt wind from NE and following sea moved us along at 5 kts toward Thimble Shoals Light. After a rusty tack to the SW we picked up speed headed for the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and then eased to port with a nice jibe into Willoughby Bay. Tied up in new slip A-19 around 11:15 ish. Checked in at the "Grille" for a cold Landshark and a visit to combo 134.

Underway at about 11:15 for a lazy, sunny sail out of Salt Ponds took the crew into the Bay north of TSL for a few blissful hours. Explored the edges of the Salt Ponds channel on the way out. Sunning on the foredeck, observing the GPS speed trying to break 1 kt, and discussing future maintenance plans filled the time as we relaxed in the 60+ degree weather. Uneventful return to slip G-3 followed by a sumptuous lunch at "Waters Edge". Capped off the afternoon with a tour of the Burwellian's new deck and some facial creme samples. This is livin'!

The long awaited return to Hampton Roads. Arrived in Redart around 10:40 and went through the usual pre-sail checklist. Lengthy discussion regarding all repairs accomplished. The wood work is beautiful and strong. R&B looks good (still some cleanup as always) and a few minor items still to be done (by the owners). Underway just at 12:00 with a final wave to our superb ground transport officer and very well compensated carpenter. Motored out through the "Hole in the Wall" and out to "boy" "3" where we raised the mainsail and turned to starboard. Strong following sea and north wind pushed us south very fast. Pewich clocked an instantaneous 8.7 on the GPS. One very exciting (but planned) jibe. We carried on until around 15:00 when the wind slackened and it was time for some help from the noble motor. As evening approached, decided to cut the transit short and pull into Salt Ponds Marina. An easy approach channel then past gargantuan homes. We arrived at slip G-3 just at sunset (glorious) and to a warm welcome from the Burwellians and the just- arrived Ground Transport staff. Plan for a week long stay and then departure on Halloween back to home port (wherever that may be!)

Motored the good boat R&B up the Bay on two-day run to Stutt's Creek for top deck rebuild by Tim Scheid of Redart, VA. Weather was very cooperative except for last hour of building seas. Left boat overnight on Saturday at Belle Isle Marina, Hampton, to break the trip up. Channel off Back River into Belle Isle very narrow and winding. At Marina entrance keep close to seawall on left. ($1.50/foot). On Sunday motored past York Spit light and then west of Wolf Trap light. Quite a few sails on the water. Entered Hole in the Wall and then into Stutt's Creek where Tim was waiting on the dock. Good, headbangin' turnover. Ended up with a tour o L'eauDanser and met Dooley the Parrot ("what does the duck say").