Another envigorating, "dust off the cobwebs" day on the bay. Underway around 9 a.m. into a breezy southwest wind on a warm cloudless morning with a falling tide. Steerage training for the new mate into Willoughby Bay with the usual unexpected tacks. The aged crewmen creaking around the aft cockpit manning the winches like two startled pachyderms. Then onwards to Willoughby Bay Marina for a quick touch and go to embark the Atlanta/Winston crowd. A wonderful half hour ensued up to the point the starboard spreader decided to spring free from the mast. Dropped sail and returned to OPCM. Re-entry to slip enlivened by loss of the gear shift connecting pin. Time for the boatyard.

The 2008 sailing season opened with a fine little excursion into Hampton Roads and over to Willoughby Bank on a southwest wind. Fighting a strong tidal current we moseyed around for a few hours dodging tugs in tow and the Port Said heavily leaden for parts unknown. The R&B held up true to form from masttop to rudder with a new mate at the helm outbound. Enjoyed the 75F temps. Dusted off the cobwebs from both hand and eye. Delighted to confirm that the depth finder works after all. Ran the working jib through several tacks--nothing significant to report. Gabriel purred along. Celebratory Skipjacks at Sunset Grill afterwards including a salad with Cathy's Kempsville lettuce. Ready for the big time.

Fine autumn afternoon with a ENE wind around 10-15. Underway at 3:30 pm with a mixed crew from Buckroe and Alverstoke. Sailed to Willoughby Bank under main and weather jib. After tack practice was completed turned north for the Horseshoe crossing Thimble Shoals channel in the direction of Salt Ponds. Witnessed the passage of the USS Normandy returning from deloyment. Reliable performance by principal steersman earned the title "A-Tiller the Hun". Foredeck monkey was also at the top of his game despite pending hip replacement. Finally, confirmed difference between "figurehead" and "maidenhead" with cockpit crew. As wind abated, returned to homeport on north edge of TS channel via broad reach and ever reliable "Gabriel" for a 5:30 pm arrival.

Underway at 10 am on a fine, hot, sunny day with wind from the east. Sailed out to Willoughby Bank and then a broad reach back into Thimble Shoals channel. Dodged a container ship, tug and barge and a car carrier. Arrived OPCM to embark new crew down from Buckroe Beach and points south. Sailed off to Willoughby Spit for lunch and back on single tack each way. Ran aground briefly just west of tunnel causeway, but quick action by the Gold Captain brought us under power and off the sand, hereby dubbed "Tina's Bump". Smooth, consistent wind all afternoon with droopy bottomed crew in cockpit and glamorous foredeck crew on watch for crab pots. First successful whisker pole experience--no casualties. Arrived homeport around 5:00 pm. A fine day all the way.

Mid-morning departure on a sunny day with light wind from the south. Sailed to Willoughby Bank where the wind died. Turtle sighting on the way. Successfully installed new radio while foredeck crew kept a sharp lookout. Motored north and found wind near Thimble Shoals light. Drifted around the Horseshoe on a nice afternoon and finally head back at about 2:00 pm racing a mid-size cargo ship and the Truman to (our respective) home base for fine contingency arrival. Installed new motor hurricane cover.

Transit from Little Creek back to OPC Marina. Underway around 1:10 pm on a clear, sunny day with a 15 kt easterly wind. Intercepted again by the Navy harbor patrol and instructed to stay to the east side of the inlet, 30 yards from the sea wall. At the R2"LC" turned to 300° on a broad reach with a following sea. Averaged just under 5 knots on a single tack till Thimble Shoals Channel. Beautiful sea turtle just SE of Chamberlin. Back at OPC Marina at 3: 30 pm.

A fine, windy day. Underway around 0730 from OPC. Raised sail for Little Creek just in front of the Chamberlin Hotel. Single tack averaging 5 kts all the way to the LC channel buoy with 15-20 kts wind from the North and quartering seas. Arrived buoy at 0930. Exciting set up for motoring into Inlet followed with foredeck crew exhibiting best ever rock-climbing pose during jib haul down. Afternoon sail with full crew complement (6) explored the mouth of the LC channel down to the O-Beach and back. New motor christened "Gabriel" in recognition of superb performance. Intercepted by harbor security patrol upon entrance into LC with firm instructions on passage back to marina.