Norfolk, London, Amalfi Coast, Paris & Back to Norfolk

Since heading south from the Annapolis boat show a full month ago, here's what HD has been up to:

Visited St. Michael's, Solomons Islands and Tangiers Island for one night each on the way to Deltaville Virginia to meet up with the Ensleins. Couldn't do any of these stops justice so we will put them all on the schedule for the spring. Tangier Is. has been a crabbing and oystering life for the residents for hundreds of years. John Smith, of Pocahontas fame, originally surveyed this along with most of the Chesapeake Bay.

                                            Pete gets the scoop from Mr. Parks, the steely-eyed,
                                            crusty nearly 90-year-old owner of Parks Marina
                                            in Tangiers Island-a very "different" place in VA!

                                           Lots and lots of rain and high tides , flooded out
                                            parts of Tangiers Island

 Don't know how this pic slipped in here, but you can never have too many Cameo's, even if they're just pics!
                                           Having fun with Tyler and Camille in Annapolis!
                                                                                    

Had a spirited sail with Dean & Allison then dinner with them and Jerry and Dorothy on board HD. Good to catch up with old friends.

HD then sailed to Cobbs Marina in Norfolk where she would rest while the crew visited the newest member of the family, Sophia Gabrielle Stuyck, in London.
What a joy to see Chrissy and Jamie with their new treasure!  She's really something special!

 These proud grandparents were present as Sophia joined us for her first high tea at Windsor Castle. (Actually just outside the castle at the tilted house as we had misplaced our invitations).

The crew then was off to the Italy's Amalfi coast; Sorrento, Island of Capri and Positano. All beautiful and great food.

 Visited the Blue Grotto on Capri which was Tiburis, the roman emperor's private swimming hole 2,000 years ago after he was exiled to the Island.

More good food including a 10 course tasting menu at the #1 restaurant in Paris, Le Cinq. The fourth desert was a bit much but the squid ink dipped leeks which accompanied the scallops was a nice touch.

Experienced an overnight train from Napoli to Paris with four new friends in a 6 bed compartment. Sounds bad and it was, however a couple of sleeping pills and morning arrived with us in Paris and a nice hotel in St Germain across the street from Notre Dame. (below)

Fortunately our flight home was through London Heathrow with a three hour layover,so Sophia's mother brought her out for a play date. She had changed already... grew eyelashes, and was much calmer than the week before.

Back in Norfolk the crew was anxious to see HD and her modifications. Not the least of which is the new latex mattress ordered at the boat show which was delivered while we were gone. NICE!

A new bimini and enclosure of the cockpit with both windows and screens to keep the crew out of the rain and bugs. HD had waited for this until the crew had some experience on what to have done and all are glad the way it has turned out.
A pair of electric furlers for the two jibs was installed which eliminates for hardest task on board; hand furling the head sails in a strong wind. After all this is supposed to be fun.
A new water purifier was installed to be able to drink the water out of the tanks rather than lugging cases of bottled water to the boat. Sorry PPD.
Lastly, the folks at Tartan installed the last of the fixes; a new main sheet system that will not tangle and gives some leverage for sail handling.
The crew is anxious to try all these tomorrow on our first sail in a month. Although the bed and water filter already have been nice additions. Who would have thought that sailing would take this much effort?  And this is retirement?? More soon....