September 12, 13, 14 & 15 with Admiral Hugs & Kisses

We've been back in New Hampshire lately.  Tess since about the 8th and due to work commitments.  Me since the evening of the 15th.  Mostly for purposes of recuperation and rehabilitation.

Does this mean anything?

Yes.  A visit to Baltimore by Admiral Hugs & Kisses.  Only allowed aboard ENDURANCE with tag team adult supervision, George Nostrand came to visit his old haunts in Baltimore and Annapolis.  This time, Paul Casey was recruited as co-Captain.  Paul is level-headed and a consummate Island Packet sailor (late of IP37 IMAGINE).  Paul took the Port Watch and I took to the Starboard Watch in order to keep the Admiral in the boat, the boat in the water, the barmaids safe (relatively) and our sanity in tact (barely).

After en route detours to Norfolk for Paul and Dulles for George (finally arriving by bus), due to a lightning strike to the BWI tower (windows blown out and, sadly, one fatality), Thursday was a late dinner and berthing.  Friday though, saw a 1000 departure for Annapolis and real sailing.  A great Northwesterly breeze took us all the way down the Bay once we turned South out of the Patapsco.

A great day of sailing!

With a mooring in Annapolis by 1600, the Water Taxi delivered us to Town for the necessary rounds of oysters and libations.  Middletown Tavern was followed by The Federal House and then the Back Bar at McGarveys.  

Loaded up with shellfish innards we headed back to the the boat where the Port Watch went below for some respite, while the Starboard Watch maintained the cockpit with the Admiral.  Luckily, a Dog Watch (allowing a short time before relief), and all crew were rested well before dinner (how the Admiral maintains this pace is amazing!).

Dinner at Maria's Sicilian Ristaurante had us all eating stuffed veal chops, drinking an odd assortment of wines, and ready to head back for the Admiral's Mast (or, in this case, his nightcap - or two - or ...).

But a good morning wind saw us off to Baltimore on Saturday.  The same Northwesterly - sometimes over 25 knots - could have been a struggle, but rather than taking the Rhumb Line, we crossed the Bay on a beat to Rock Hall on the Eastern Shore.  Once there, we had wind abeam toward the Patapsco.  Good to have real sailors aboard.

Well, one real sailor, at least.

Safely arriving in Baltimore, we were joined by Katie & Kyle for the Admiral's Birthday Dinner at the swanky and extraordinary Chighiale (where, to our relief, the sommelier picked the wines for us) across the street from the Charleston (two of the very best restaurants in all of Baltimore).

All Spiffed up for the Admiral's Birthday Dinner.

Tucked in by just after Midnight each evening.  A rather sedate visit with the Admiral (in comparison).  Great sailing and great fun.  A week plus later, as recovered as possible at this age, I am now ready to return to the boat.