Another new home

From Folly Beach we made the 67 miles down to Beaufort, SC in two days.   We used the foresail for much of the way, with it pulling us about 1/2 knot faster, usually with light wind.  It rained most of the second day as we crossed a large river (two hours crossing and up the river) before we came into Beaufort.   We selected an anchorage on the north side of a rotating bridge, thinking it would be closer to a grocery store the next day.   But low and behold, when we were driving the boat slowly to change the anchor location the next morning,   the boat's motor just stopped working and wouldn't start again ! ! !   Tom quickly put out the anchor right where we were, partially in the boat channel.  After calls to boat-knowledgeable friends (Jimmy, Johnny)  and then one to the nearby marina, we settled on letting  the marina operator tow us to a T dock there and here is where we are.



The pictures below are from Folly Beach before we left - the "usual" sunset"

 

Tom, at my insistence, smiling at a local restaurant

 

A neat entry we saw to another restaurant

 

Pigeons hanging out at the end of the public fishing pier that we walked out to after lunch where I took a nap in the sun.

 

Tom looked back toward shore at the surfers.

 

Now, back to where we are now.  Here is the new transmission, installed.

 

This was a flock of white pelicans that didn't fly up until we were just upon them, as we came here.

 

Now, at our new slip, we look across and watch the various birds stop for a while.  This probably is a blue heron.  

 

Last night we watched the almost full moon come up.

 Another view of us tied up at the dock.

 

Today, it was so warm, I took a cushion and my knitting out and sunbathed on the dock.  It's supposed to be in the 70s by Friday and sunny each day 'til then.

 

This would have been a GOOD time to go on down south, but instead, we are spending each day having our boat's mechanical system looked at.   Tomorrow a very good local mechanic is pulling the engine forward, into the galley, and taking off the transmission to deduce which needs repaired or replaced - the engine or the transmission.

 

Strangely, Tom and I are in good spirits.   This is a lovely place.   Palms, mosses, wildlife around, with the  historic Beaufort just across the bridge from here. (We know it's nice because we spent a weekend there in July during their water festival) The marina has free laundry machines, bikes use, courtesy car, thrice a day cleaned bathrooms and very friendly staff and it is very reasonable priced.   A Publix supermarket is close by  as is a place we can get our propane tanks refilled - a veritable cruiser's paradise!  We really don't care how long we have to stay here, although we DID hope to spend some time in clear, warmer blue water of the south this winter.   Guess we'll have to wait and see.   Thanks for your patience in reading about our many travails.   Have a fun peaceful holiday season if I don't post again before the 25th.