Annapolis (Part 3) The Breddys visit BV

As well as all of the other fun things going on in Annapolis, we were particularly looking forward to the weekend because our good friends Phil and Lesley were coming to stay with us.  They were driving over from Great Falls, just west of Washington DC so we had a little time on Saturday morning to convert the aft cabin from store room to guest accommodation.  We also called up the mobile pump out service as the aft holding tank was due to be emptied.

Whilst Phil and Lesley had heard all about our adventures on the several occasions that we had stayed with them, they have never actually been on board Blue Velvet, or indeed any other sailing yacht of her size.  So it was going to be very exciting for us to show them what our little world looks like and to expose them to a brief period of living on board.

Putting the car in the garage (aka stowing the dinghy)

Phil, Lesley and their son Jack turned up at Weems Creek just before lunchtime; Georgia was busy with other commitments but that was probably just as well because 6 people on board would probably have been a bit too cosy.

After a warm welcome it was time to get everyone out to BV.  It’s easy to forget that even a dinghy ride is a bit of a novelty when you are not used to life on board, and even that quick ‘drive’ in our ‘car’ brought smiles all around.

A short guided tour of BV was followed by lunch and then it was time to think about going sailing.  Jack was immediately put work helping to roll up and stow the dinghy.  He then worked with Phil to wash the chain as we raised the anchor.

‘Captain Jack’ at the wheel

The reward for all of that slave labour was to steer BV whilst sailing and that brought further smiles.  It wasn’t the windiest of days but we were able to take a look at the US Naval Academy and the inner part of Annapolis Harbour where the boat show was in full swing before sailing out into the bay.

Looking up Whitehall Creek from our anchored position

After a few hours pottering about we made our way into Whitehall Creek, just east of the Severn River and Annapolis.  Most of the way up the creek we found a nice pool and anchored there for the night.

Looking down Whitehall Creek from our anchored position

The novelty of sleeping behind a lee cloth

It was beautifully sheltered and actually quite busy with about 5 other yachts anchored in the same pool.  Dinner worked out well and the conversation flowed as we caught up with all of the news since we had last seen each other in May.

Anchored in Round Bay for lunch….

… and margaritas!

In the morning we found that there was absolutely no wind.  Not great for sailing, and so, after a lazy breakfast and more catching up, we motored back into the Severn River and under both bridges to explore further upstream than we had before.  Round Bay provided a good spot to stop for lunch and the refreshments included margaritas; Lesley’s favourite cocktail.

After a bit of real-estate spotting and seeing what was up for sale in the bay, we lifted the anchor again and made our way back into Weems Creek.

Crab dinner in Cantler’s Riverside Inn

Phil then suggested that we found a nice restaurant for dinner based on some recommendations from friends of theirs.  We decided that a Chesapeake crab dinner would be the most appropriate thing and so drove nearly as far as Whitehall Creek to hunt down Cantler’s Riverside Inn.  Despite being quite remote it was very busy but fortunately we didn’t have to wait too long for a table.  The Chesapeake Bay blue crabs were excellent both steamed with spices and in the crab cakes.  We all thought that we had eaten quite a lot but the waitress was convinced that we were all about to starve; perhaps she wasn’t used to dealing with European sized appetites.

Sadly, at that point it was time for the Breddys to make their way home.  It had been great fun showing them Blue Velvet and a brief taster of life on a sailing yacht.  Hopefully next time we’ll be able to have them on board in more tropical waters.

Weems Creek, Annapolis, Maryland, USA