A fine morning on the water for the OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail. Underway just after 0800 in overcast skies and 10 kt winds from south. Cruised the southern edge of Thimble Shoals channel from Ft Wool to the Naval Base for three hours enjoying the outbound Naval vessels and Tall Ships. Action started slow with the "Gloria" from Columbia and the Brazilian "Cisne Branco". Then finally just before turning for the barn, they began to roll up the channel "Pride of Baltimore", "Virginia","Godspeed", "Cuauhtemoc" (complete with singing foredeck crew), "Guayas", "Esmeralda" and finally the "Kalmar Nyckel". Not to mention a slew of US,Canadian warships as well as the RFAS Argosy. All and all a beautiful show that really impressed the mates. Pulled sail back to main only and the R&B stabilized for a smooth ride. Best sailing experience this year.

A wonderful morning spent cruising around Thimble Shoals channel nimbly dodging merchants, tugs, and a frigate. Underway at 7:50, raised sail around 08:00 in westerly 7 kt winds and sunny skies. Watched the brand new Polaris J head outbound for Savannah filled with containers. After morning rations of tea and bacon sandwiches, ended up on north side of channel south of Hampton Bar steering to clear the path on an incoming warship from the east. Discussion among the captains noted a color and configuration that weren't of local origin. The frigate continued and launched a rigid hull which sped right toward the R&B. This prompted recognition of a mooring buoy to the west, and, realizing that our 25 foot sloop stood between the frigate and its destination we briskly headed south. As the security crew on speedboat discharged some anchormen onto the mooring, HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) breezed past looking somewhat stodgy but workmanlike in the morning sun. Under the NATO ensign, R&B crew felt obliged to provide an assessment of armament (raisonable), sensors (hmmm), air capability (small hanger), and prospects for liberty in OPSAIL 2012 (oh-no) and overall savoir faire (eh?). After a few circumnavigations and a wave to the VDQ crew, drifted homeward with a jibe here and they to avoid traffic (including the Great Navigator-Hong Kong). Gold captain handled most of the sail stowage and we arrived back at the slip around 11:10 just ahead of the VDQ's liberty boat.

A new helmsman joins the R&B crew ala francaise. Underway at 0751, we launched under sunny skies and light, persistent 7 Kt breezes from the ENE. Temps in the low 70s. Passed a turtle on departure and took a quick tack around the western end of Willoughby Bay. Followed Willoughby Channel north reminded by the Gold Captain to hold close to the final red daymark. Reached TS Channel and turned east in the general direction of Thimble Shoals light. Lots of sails on the Chez Bay. On a tack to south received an unwarranted "honking" from the 53,103 ton Ever Refine an Evergreen Container under Panamanian flag last out of Charleston. Unabashed and fortified by hot tea and digestives, we set a broad reach under the Frenchman's steady hand. Enjoyed a good run back to homeport passing many outbound fellow sailors including Ocean Girl and Talisman. Proudly won a short, but intense race past historic Ft. Wool. Arrived at the slip around 1100, mightily refreshed. Joie de vivre.

Opened the 2012 Season with an easy, uneventful sail round Willoughby Bay under light winds. All hands refreshed helmsman skills. Watched the "red buoy" crab pot boat retrieve a fair number of beautiful swimmers. Plenty of warm tea to keep things lively. Passed the fine "CindeRella" cat outbound. Only sore point: Blue Captain lost the marina on the final inbound leg due to some clever OPDEC by the Naval Base having installed a large number of light poles that closely resembled masts. Reaction was similar to the famous green buoy collision event. Good grief.

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.