Mild steady wind from the west took us on a two-hour cruise around western Willoughby in low 80s temps. Visitors from Alverstoke accompanied the Blue crew for an easy drift up and around to the sounds of classical tunes. Puzzled by a few red flags out of the channel we dodged the end of summer crab pots and enjoyed the usual libations as the thunder clouds eventually gathered and we returned to port.

Big breeze from the south made for a beautiful day of sailing. Underway around 9:30 ish with the premier crew of four. Cruised out to just shy of Thimble Shoals Light at 5 to 7 knots and then tacked back. Foredeck crew very impressed with heel (up to 25 deg) and eventually retired to cockpit. R&B weathered Hurricane Irene, but Blue Captain managed to drop the missing wind vane over the side during manup. Particularly pleased with performance of water gathering system to keep interior dry. Only downside was Sunset Grille closed on labor day. Hmmph.

Fresh day on the water in moderate winds from the east. 1.5 hour sail was enlivened by an initial missing man departure as the Blue Captain was left hugging the concrete piling. Out and over to Fort Monroe at a brisk pace. Stayed clear of the USS John McCain returning to port. Enjoyed watching a Moth sailor buzzing around at lightening speed. Very low tide set off the depth alarm a few times and a gentle nudge of the sand out near the No. 1 green bouy. A good warmup for the Garland Jeffrey's house concert later in the day.

Very warm day with light winds from the northwest did not deter three intrepid sailors from cruising around western Willoughby Bay for a few sunny hours. Multinational duo in from Norway quickly picked up on the R&B routine. Stayed just above the sweltering zone. Enjoyed the afternoon Naval Base Helo Show including dipping, hovering, and generally racing around madly. Even got a boost from a flyby that pushed us along for a few minutes. USS Enterprise provided a convenient marker for tacks and jibes. Ed B proved a solid helmsman and Tonje seemed to enjoy the sun and water, mastering the port side stern line drop off and retrieval.

Stirring Friday afternoon on the water. Mrs. Walters superhuman speed to retrieve overboard fender while motoring out was a positive harbinger of things to come. Good cruising in fine winds from the NE got us up on the rails in no time. Once in Willoughby Bay, Mrs. Walters showed instinctive promise at the helm while simultaneously slicing a lime or two for the Coronas, taking a few shots with her I-Phone 4 and all the while keeping one hand on the tiller and one eye on the crab pots. The Captains were left with nothing else to do but admire the lowering sun.

The Beach Boys on a rampage. Made it up to 7.5 knots on an early day sail.

Underway around 9:45 on a mostly sunny day with increasing wind from the east. Gold captain kindly set up the boat. Enjoyed company of two visitors from Winston with the Dr. at the helm. Weather started out hot and calm, so we motored out to Thimble Shoals Channel where the breeze picked up just enough on a rising tide. Ended up between 2 and 3 knots tacking NE and SE. Good-size pod of dolphins and later a turtle. Got a clear view of the RFS Adm Chabanenko (DD 650) transiting outbound for Exercise FRUKUS 2011. Also passed by a large utility boat the WEXTAP. Enjoyed the cold drinks as we drifted around staying just out above scorching speed. Back to marina at 11:30.

Beachmen on the Water. Morning cruise around Hampton Roads in fine winds and weather. Around Willoughby, TS Channel and up the James a ways.

Big day on the water, underway with a crew of six at around 9:15. At first it looked like the cruise of the crowns but the cobwebs were soon blown away and the crew settled down to business. Cruised east west around Willoughby Bay using Paydirt as the mid-course marker. South wind eventually spun around to northeast and gave us a fresh bump just after a fine lunch including some juicy canteloupe. Mayaritaville showed her stuff at the helm followed by Capt Pe. Smooth ride home.

Underway around 9 am for a very fine day sailing around Hampton Roads on a rising tide and north wind. Wind proved iffy around Ft. Wool. Dodged a few merchants including the NYK Daedulus and survived a no-touchee close encounter with Catalina 27 - Leonora. Impressive, confidence building performance from new depth gauge and porta-potty. Wind shifted and sent us surging in to the Navy Marina.

Gold Crew manned the R&B for the first sail of the Season on a fine, sultry Spring Saturday. Ladies at the helm for a two hour spin around Willoughby Bay. The Ant made do with an impaired hand, ok actually it was broken. Previously iffy GPS came back on line. Repaired depth gauge worked. Lots of tack practice at 5+ knots in light winds and calm seas.

The return from Virginia Boat and Yacht on a pleasant, cool, and windy Friday morning. Decision to motor back proved wise. Riding the tide up the Elizabeth River and listening to Welsh humor sustained by Mrs. Beach's original bacon sandwiches and tea, we finally turned the corner at Pier 12 (USS George H.W. Bush) into a very healthy swell and headwind that immediately attracted total attention. Uncooperative GPS and depth reader. Just over 2 hour transit, back in Slip D-29 and ready to sail. (Coast Guard auxil inspection on Saturday).

A motoring day to open the 2011 season as we dropped the R&B off at Virginia Boat and Yacht for a repaint. Underway around 0930 on a cool morning that turned warm with wind from the south. Unfortunately this meant a headwind going down the Elizabeth River so sails stayed in the bag. Steady 3 kts on a falling tide. Trailed in behind the USS New York pulling into Naval Station Piers. Slightly stung by the Gold Captain's description of this mighty warship as looking like a "cross-channel ferry". Enjoyed the beautiful weather as we chugged down the west side of the Norfolk Reach channel. Finally passed south of the degaussing complex and then turned west to arrive just past 12:00 for check-in with Bill Hughes. Call back in a few weeks.