It took us three and a half days to sail from Bermuda up to Rhode Island and the journey was fairly uneventful save for some whale spotting, several Portuguese Man of War floating past and the biggest pod of dolphins I’ve ever seen on our last day. I didn’t enjoy the passage really because for most of it I felt sick, I did however manage to perform my duties as ship’s cook. I was, as ever, immensely grateful to reach solid ground. The weather on arrival was scorching, 97 degrees Fahrenheit (they don’t use Celsius here), and, apart from one chilly, rainy and windy day, the weather has remained beautiful since. Not that we’ve had any time to enjoy it…!
We managed to finish work at 3pm last Sunday and drive to Newport to visit the America’s Cup Series, and, although we got there too late to see any of the races, we did get to see some amazing racing yachts at Fort Adams and it was lovely just to get away from CAP II for a couple of hours. Yesterday was our last day of work with the charter starting today and we worked from 8 am until 1 am with no breaks… awful. However, after a short stint this morning, we became free again… wonderful!
Today has been spent trying to decide where we’re going to and how we’re getting there. We have decided that hiring a car will be the best option and camping will be the most fun although we are both (mainly me actually) a little bit afraid of being eaten by a bear and so we may try to get a car that we can sleep in the back of but get a small gazebo for shelter from the rain and a small stove. I also had to buy a new wardrobe today because I can’t fasten any of my shorts or trousers any more. I’ve had to opt for some dreadfully unflattering drawstring pants that
make my backside look like a sack of potatoes although unfortunately it looks like one without the help of unflattering clothes due to the excessive intake of American junk food (no time to cook and shop when you’re working from 8 till 8 every night) and my tummy is expanding to match my behind. Not a good look. I’m just so excited with the prospect of walking in some gorgeous places and feeling a bit fitter again.
Once we’ve hired the car tomorrow and bought our camping gear we can set off, woo hoo! We want to visit a few National Parks to get our walking fix and we’d love to see New York. We’re both so excited and happy to be free from the restrictions of working after such a long slog and no real free time and the good thing is, it really feels as if we’ve earned it.
2 Responses to Newport Race Week