We pass the
old coast guard station on the way out. On the way out, the engine goes out
again. We've got a nice breeze so no problem, yet. We follow the procession
out the channel and set up for the run to Newport.Any sailor (at least boaters or yachtsmen, or whatever pleasure boaters call themselves), know that the things that go bump in the night are not monsters, but other boats at anchor. Having recovered from the lobster pot, and enjoyed a quiet dinner at anchor, we watched the stars come out, tucked ourselves in for the night, and prepared for an early departure for Newport. Marion declared it a two blanket night.
I was, I thought, awake in the middle of the night, when I heard Marion call me and say, "Did you feel a bump?" Once again, proof that sometimes you dream that you are awake and can't get back to sleep. In any case, I soon felt (and heard) another bump. It is that unmistakable sound of one boat hitting another. Did we drag our anchor? Did someone else? Well, only one way to tell. I leap out of the V-berth, slamming my knee against the door and raising a bump like a pigeon's egg, hearing a faint "Hello!" from the boat which has pressed itself against our starboard side.
A little inspection finds that nobody has dragged, just that the wind has swung around almost 180 degrees, and everyone is where they weren't before. Our neighbor has out 180 feet of mostly rope anchor rhode, while we have only 100 feet of chain and 20 feet of rope out. His swinging circle is much larger than ours, and so... bump!
He shortens his lines, I let some out and things look good. The other boat near us, in no danger, feels all this is too much, picks up his anchor and moves to another spot. A few minutes waiting for the boats to settle into their new position, watching the early morning sky is one of the moments why I still love Block Island.
Back to bed, the sun is coming up now, only a few more hours to try to catch up on sleep before heading out.
7:30 AM. We're up for real. Raise the anchor, and what's that? The engine quits. We've often said that "sailing is about the stories," but if this continues, I'm going to be full up. If the universe thinks we need more to write about, it can stop... we're fine in that department.
Marion drops the anchor (again), and I'm below fiddling. It's some kind of fuel system problem, and one which is beyond me. After an hour or so of tinkering, the engine is kind of working, and we have enough breeze to sail so, we're off. Thanks Roger.
We pass the
old coast guard station on the way out. On the way out, the engine goes out
again. We've got a nice breeze so no problem, yet. We follow the procession
out the channel and set up for the run to Newport.
The engine gets started and runs for a while, charging the battery at any rate. After a half hour or so, it starts running normally. Is it cured? I doubt it, but it is hard to have something fixed that you can't demonstrate as broken. So, stay tuned.
It is a great
day, though. Sunny, just warm enough, and a nice breeze -- about 10 knots. It's
in back of us, so there's no great sensation of speed, but we do slip down the
3 foot Block Island Sound swells. Approaching Newport, the seas are a bit choppier,
but still perfect for sailing. Yes, the engine still seems to be working as
we power up for our entrance into the busy (as usual) harbor.
Well, once again, mooring problems. It seems we've hit Newport not only on a Friday, but as the New York Yacht Club prepares for its cruise (starting here), and one or two other rendezvous are under way. Rather than anchor out and worry, we managed to find what is probably the last piece of dockspace in the harbor. Well, it's Scales and Shells for dinner tonight! We'll also buy a spare fuel filter and a knife with some serious cutting power. These talismans will ward away further trouble of the kind we've had, we hope.
Well, a good sail (even if a late start), and looking for a good afternoon (or early evening) in one of our favorite ports.
Marion and
I sit down to dinner in Scales and Shells. I guess now that we're in
Newport, it's time for things to calm down and take it easy. We did, after all,
decide that this was going to be a sit and relax trip more than a travel
far and wide trip. Martha's Vinyard and Nantucket are just a few days away,
and barring any more bad weather or mechanical difficulties, it should be easy
sailing for awhile. 
At
dinner, we had fried calamari, good as usual, and I had the grilled lobster
-- great. Marion had a grilled swordfish that just wasn't spectacular; it may
have even been plain. I think, that although Scales is still a comfortable
and wonderful place, it may not be trying as hard as it once did. Across from
where we tied up, way on the other side of town, is a new place called Grappa.
We look forward to giving it a try next time through.
We top the evening with a trip to the movies - What Lies Beneath. Scary.
A note: We're off to the Elizabeth Islands tomorrow, so who knows what the cellular coverage is. If you don't see new postings, don't worry, we're probably still afloat, and will catch up as soon as we're able.