Bellatrix

26 September 2015

Portsmouth, VA

We left Middle River on Monday and arrived in Norfolk on Thursday. With wind from the northeast and following seas we made good time averaging over 6 knots, a little rolling sometimes but good overall. We had overnight anchorages in the Rhode River, Soloman’s Island, and in the Piankatank River in Deltaville.

With this high pressure system north and a low south funneling rain and wind to the east coast we decided to lay up in Portsmouth for a few days at the Tidewater Marina. Thursday night we had a fabulous French dinner at Cafe Europa. We walked the town yesterday and had cocktails at the marina pub. 

Portsmouth and Norfolk are interesting cities with much history, good food and drink and ship building everywhere. The number of warships and their size and might makes you feel proud and protected.

Today we will catch a movie at the Commodore Theater, a art deco movie house, where you can sit at a table in leather chairs, have dinner and cocktails while watching the movie. 

We hope to start moving tomorrow, passing under Gilmerton Bridge, the first of many, and on to the Dismal Swamp. The Dismal is one of my favorite areas, it begins at Mile Marker 11, taking us through 2 locks, through Turner’s Cut to Elizabeth City at Mile Maker 51. It may seem a bit more “dismal” if the sun doesn’t shine.

Robin is happy that we are on our way again!

Sailing into Hampton Roads