Some of the local people expressed misgivings, perhaps even shock, that we were planning to brave the waters of the Bay in such wild conditions in our tiny boats. We replied as best we could to their kind concern, but it later turned out that they phoned over to Tangier just to make sure we had arrived safe and sound. Very kind of them, and we appreciate their thoughtfulness. Of course, none of this made Gary and Jeremy - about to go for their first-ever Wayfarer sail - feel any better. Gary indicated that he and Jeremy might turn back but that we should just go on, and they would then catch us later. Well, that was not going to happen!! With Hans' approval, Al volunteered to sail in Solje with Gary while Jeremy would crew for Hans in The Nutshell. The offer was accepted, and Gary was soon looking distinctly more cheerful about the day's prospects. The day's plans had been more or less firmed up over breakfast: full speed ahead, straight downwind to Tangier. Well, not really full speed ahead, since all four boats were going to shorten sail in one way or another.

Many thanks to Joe Gatto and his wife, Flo, aboard Flowing Grace, a larger cruising keelboat that was staying put for this day before the Gattos continued their lengthy dawdle up the Bay that was to end a month or so later. Joe said he'd get some pictures of us leaving the harbour and email them to us in a month or two once they got back home from their cruise. The next 15 or so pictures are what Joe sent us. Thanks again, Joe! They're lovely to have as a memento.

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Tony and Mary are going to sail under jib alone. Exiting the cut out of the cove shouldn't involve upwind work, and the rest of the day's run to Tangier Island should be straight downwind, so that jib alone should work fine. And even if there is a bit of upwind work in the cut, the W will go upwind under jib alone - albeit grudgingly. Not the kind of thing you want to do for any length of time!!

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