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.