“What a Diff’rence a Day Makes”-popularized by Dinah Washington

We felt like we were on a different planet from the one we inhabited yesterday when we woke this morning to the calm, still beauty of Sandy Point Cove in the Great Wicomico river. We had quick coffee and breakfast then pulled the anchor and began our cruise to Mobjack Bay.

We had favorable current for much of the way. A sedate 10kts from the NE gave us the proverbial “fair winds and following seas” which allowed us to motor sail with the jib flying  and achieve over 7kts of speed for much of the day.

These benign conditions allowed us to enjoy the radio chatter, which included fishermen chatting in an indecipherable Virginia dialect, a Coast Guard warning about a 40 foot piling afloat, and warnings that a US submarine was being escorted into Norfolk-stay clear! 500 yards at least, and no crossing in front of its bow!

We saw lots of brown pelicans, cormorants and gulls, plus two lighthouses, New Point Comfort, and Wolftrap. Paula was able to go below a make a proper lunch without fear of seasickness or personal injury from rollicking seas (unlike yesterday).

Once we were certain of our arrival in Mobjack bay today, we made a reservation at the Waterside Marina in Norfolk for Monday and Tuesday.  Shortly after 3pm we wound our way a short distance up the Severn River (they have one in Virginia too!) and anchored in bucolic surroundings in School Neck cove. No other boats here except a beautiful old-fashioned sloop on a permanent mooring close to a huge handsome house-one of several really gorgeous homesteads. It is partly sunny and warm with a very light east breeze. We can hear the distant sound of a chain saw, and what sounds like distant target shooting.

We plan an early night and an early start tomorrow. Barring the unforeseen, we hope to arrive in Norfolk late tomorrow afternoon.