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.

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.