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.

Underway around 1:15 on a windy day. Out to the east end of Willoughby and quickly down-sailed. Crossed the TS Channel into Mill Pond Creek. Enjoyed the usual Hormone talk with Capt Pewich and the Lady Anne. Enjoyed the brisk east wind and choppy seas. Very Maya-esque behaviour from the tillerman. Very savoir fare lunch including disgusting brown cheese with dark streaks and wonderful warm tea. Wind chill was just bearable til around 3 when the teeth chattering began and in we went.

A long, wonderful sail under ideal winds for new R&B crew recruitment. No press gangs required! Underway around 9:15 under clear skies and a 10 knot southwest wind. Next five hours cruised Willoughby Bay and out to the Shed and back in gradually warming air temps and bright sunshine. Shocking development when the first stage crew realized they had brought no mobile phone, watch, or camera. Blue Captain's severe embarrassment was mitigated when the phenomenon of Maya's internal time clock was discovered. Slightly late mid-course crew pickup and bio break (head code 245)at Willoughby Harbor. The Yorktown Vikings safely embarked with their life-sustaining coffee. Lady Maya retained control of the helm for most of the expedition, using both of her "rights" to the fullest extent under the watchful eye and guidance of Tattoos by Carl. Point target steering seemed to work best. Impressive helmsman nimbility demonstrated during tacks. Previous Caribbean, Lake Ponchatrain and Neuse River sailing experience came in handy and soon the R&B was winging around the bay. Big bonus as a large pod of acrobatic dolphins cruised by heading southwest. Slowed on a broach reach for the standard pot-luck lunch of sushi, grapes, wheat thins, beer and water. Moved on to a run with some gratifying moments a "wing-a-wing". No sign of the Lee Ho. Spied the "Round the Lights" race in progress but kept well clear so as to avoid pressuring the racers. Also passed Zoya and Cool Change with friendly hails. Uneventful return to base with the best "Jumper" ever seen and buncha fully qualified new crew (certificates pending).

General Jack joined the crew for a late afternoon cruise on stiff southwest winds and sunny skies. Underway at 3:25 p.m. We headed out on main and working jib but quickly downscoped to single sail through some foredeck acrobatics by the Gold Captain. An exhilaratin' 1 1/2 hour tour d' Willoughby followed with the bay all to ourselves (no one else crazy enough). Interception by CG rocket boat asking about a capsize near bridge resulted in some tossed vino. RTB witnessed the two Captains in a dockside line handling tug of war drill - the superb teamwork never stops. Records set for most senior sailor in two categories!