Nov 12th an early start so the we can get to our destination before the high winds and rain forecast. A wide section of the ICW lies ahead crossing the Albermarle Sound , the Alligator River and the Pungo River Canal . Again NH cruised at 16 knots effortlessly. Our stern bow trustee quit last night so we hope to have that taken care of also. This section is so picturesque with lots of stump and snags to watch for. We did not see black bear, deer or alligator but the scenery is unique. We are 🍀 to get a slip at RiverForest Marina where we were welcomed by a wonderful man Henry. Golf carts are provided to tour the historical town of Belhaven. The marina also owns the beautiful River Forest Manor which has been lovingly restored and is now an event venue. Nana and Nandad were given a private tour.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
NH heads for Coinjock NC
Nov 11th Happy Veterans Day to all. A late start this morning however passed mile zero so are now officially on the AICW. Delays at the Great Bridge 🔒 and also at the Centerville Turnpike swing bridge. A beautiful day so we opened the roof and felt like we were cruising on a convertible. Nana has mastered the oven and Genset so a great brunch was served onboard while we cruised - not bad👍Docked by 4pm - laundry done and pizza served under the light of the moon.
Nov 10th Heading for Norfolk VA
Sunday we leave early for Norfolk Yachting Country Club approximately 96nm. Adjusting to NH luxury is a little challenging but each day we are becoming more comfortable. We keep wanting to pinch ourselves to make sure we really did take this plunge. 👏After passing the Grey Mile with all the impressive navy boats we were docked by 4pm. NYCC has all amenities so we enjoyed a lovely dinner celebration to toast our New Horizon. Another wonderful sunset over the Elizabeth River. 🌅
Friday, October 25, 2019
October 19th to the 25th Annopolis
We took the time on Thursday to take a walking tour at the Naval Academy which was truly amazing. To watch the parade of over 4000 midshipmen in formation at lunch time was quite the sight. An amazing facility and well worth the visit.
Friday 25th finds us back on IE and packing things away. She had her decks scrubbed while we were away and the teak looks 👍 . We will take her up to Cortez on Sunday when she will be hauled out to have her bottom 🧽 . Nana and Nandad will return to MA on Monday for 🎃👏
Saturday, October 19, 2019
IE 2019 to 2020 adventures begin Oct 9th
Nana and Nandad return to IE at SYC after a wonderful sailing season in RI on Lambay⛵️IE has had some nice detailed work on her topside so is looking pretty good. The engine continues to be an issue with the mechanic working diligently to get it up and running. In the meantime Nana and Nandad are enjoying all that Sarasota has to offer and lots of social gatherings at the club. The weather is perfect 👌 and we are happy that the air conditioning is working however most evenings brings a light gentle breeze.
On Thursday 10th Nana and Nandad went to The Shore over on Longboat Key. It is right on the water beside Mar Vista. It was the perfect evening, with the almost 🌕 full moon visible from our table and a sighting of the International Space Station really capped our evening. I believe it might have been the all female astronauts👏
Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent enjoying the new poolside bar & grille at the club, strolling 🚶♀️ down St Armand’s circle, riding our bikes and playing Bocce. A wonderful evening and dinner at Jeff/Laurel’s lovely home on Longboat Key.
Monday through Friday mechanic still working on IE. Nana is keeping herself busy with 🧘♀️, book club, ⛳️, beach, listening to podcasts and reading. Nandad is learning to be very patient and while being available for the mechanic he is catching up on Brexit. On Tuesday Nana and Nandad finally decided to make reservations to return to Annapolis to take another look at a boat - more to follow! On Friday the difficult decision was made to put IE on the market.
Saturday 19th lots of wind and rain. All the boats are bouncing around on the slips and all deck hands are diligently keeping a watchful eye on the docks.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
April 14th to April 18th Nana and Nandads last few days on IE
April 14th is the twins 4th birthday so we had to start the day with the Gleeson birthday 🎂 song. Official birthday celebration 🎉 will take place once we get back to Franklin. The Doneski’s first full day and of course we had to start with the Mote Aquarium which is really a wonderful place. We had a wonderful brunch at SYC and afterwards Cillian and Liam played under the shade area quite happily. Late afternoon we went down to the South Park where lots of Boats 🚣♀️ and jet shi’s were on the 🏝 with families enjoying the wonderful weather and a variety of music playing. Lots of fun.
April 15th and today we celebrate Chris 🎁- lots happening in April. Aideen and Chris went kayaking and Nana and Nandad took Cillian and Liam over to the Bird Key Park where they could scoop up the sand with their buckets and ♠️ Rivers and holes were built and somehow continued to fill back up again with water from the bay. We went for a short boat ride and were able to see the dolphin from a distance. A great hamburger dinner and a wonderful 🌅 stroll along North Lido Park where we saw and listened to a pair of bald 🦅. What a treat.
April 16th - no birthday to celebrate today. Nana accompanied The Doneski’s to the Myakka River State Park where we took a pontoon ride and saw the most amazing 🐊. Here you can hike a 39 mile hiking 🥾 loop, several miles of bike trails, 🎣, kayaking, tram rides, 🐦 viewing, 🐎 Trails and ⛺️. Certainly if you want to spend the day or night away from the craziness of life this is the place to come. The Pink Gator Cafe really did have the best grilled 🧀 much enjoyed by Cillian. The canopy walk with the 74 foot tower and swing bridge was quite the treat. Late afternoon Nana, Nandad, Cillian and Liam spent some time on Lido Beach once again building and destroying sand castles, making sand 👼 and simply kavorting on the tide and gentle 🌊.
April 17th Nana and Nandad spent the day preparing IE for our departure and closure of our 4th season , while the Doneski’s went to visit The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Santuary. Lots of laundry 🧺, vacuum packing clothes, filling with diesel, pumping out, filling water tanks, folding and storing bicycles 🚲, cleaning 🧹 out any food closets, defrosting and emptying the refrigerator, and removing any items that might likely explode!! Covering the dingy is always a challenge but at least it got us to take a dingy ride which is always fun. A great dinner on the Circle ⭕️ at VENEZIA outdoor dining followed by scrumptious 🍦 at Kilwins. One last 🌞 at Lido Beach before heading back to IE.
April 18th will find Nana and Nandad heading to the airport leaving IE behind and hoping to resume our adventures once again in the fall. We have had a wonderful time and feel that SYC is a very good home for IE and also Sarasota now feels like our winter home. We look forward to returning and reconnecting with our new friends and continuing to explore the Florida coast. Maybe next year we will actually cruise to Naples and Tarpon Springs. We are blessed to be returning to family and friends and are excited to spend time in Newport RI Sailing onboard Lambay.
For those of you who do not know Ireland’s Eye 👁 and Lambay are islands off the coast of Howth Co Dublin Ireland.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
April 7th to April 13th IE heads to the The Field Club
Sunday April 7th is a big day at SYC when The Blessing of the Fleet takes place. Ireland’s Eye and 38 other boats 🛥 left the marina all decorated and festive looking, for the parade, blessing and salute. A fun 🎊 afterwards with lots of mixing and connecting with new friends.
Monday morning Nana and Nandad decided they would take a long bike ride along Longboat Key with the final destination being Mar Vista Dockside dining. A long 7.5 mile ride but well worth it and made much easier with those electric 🚲. The restaurant is right on the bay side with a small beach area so you can dine right on the water. We will take IE some day and either dock or anchor.
Tuesday another layday , morning yoga, relaxing and reading while once again the engine gets attention - you can get the sense that this is a bit of a habit!Nandad rented a mini van once again and we went scouting to find a yard that will haul IE for painting the bottom. We found a good spot Cortez Cove Marina where there is also a wonderful canvas & upholstery spot called Coatal Marina. They repaired the canvas cover and made two canvas covers for the flag poles. Nandad took out his drill and made the perfect 👌 spot at the bow for our SYC burgee. We decided to try the Irish Pub 32 and had delicious Shepard’s pie and bangers and mash ☘️
Wednesday a great morning walk over the Sarasota bridge followed by a fun afternoon at the GEM’s fashion show. Dinner 🥘 onboard IE and a wonderful stretch of the legs down St Armand’s Circle to watch the Sunset 🌅 at Lido Beach. A beautiful night.
Thursday morning a great yoga 🧘♀️ class, followed by a short bike ride and a wonderful evening at Susan and Jim’s 🏠 Nana and Nandad hosted for the Blessing of the Fleet so they very nicely invited us to their home which is right on the water 💦 with beautiful views. Susan has done an amazing job on creating a beautiful home and Jim made the most delicious meal. Wonderful new friendships begin.
Friday Nana and Nandad decided to take a short cruise 🚢 over to The Field Club where we spent a very quite afternoon by the pool and a great dinner on their patio. It is really a very unique spot.
Saturday April 13th so excited 😆 to have The Doneski’s for the next few days. Today is Liam’s 3rd 🎂 so we will celebrate when they arrive. Early afternoon and The Doneski’s arrive and checked into their VBO home which is the perfect fit for their family. All fenced in both front, side and back patio where the pool 🏊 is. Cilian is like a fish 🐠 right away.