Posted by Monty
AFTER we went to bed in South River, the wind filled in as advertised.
Sea Bird has a vee berth forward where we sleep. There is a large opening hatch over the berth that opens forward. This is a pain when making way, as we have to keep it shut so water doesn't wet our bed. But at anchor, the boat naturally swings to point into the wind. We were therefore treated with a very nice breeze down the hatch after we turned in for the night.
Then came the bump in the night.
On a boat, a bump in the night can mean many things. It may be something as simple as something falling over. It may be that the canvas hatch cover has been blown slightly down the lifeline by a gust of wind. It may be that you have been grazed by an aircraft carrier.
Fortunately, our bump was because of the wind. Nevertheless, I had to investigate.
It was 3:00 am. The bump woke us both. When I climbed out on deck, all was well. At some point, I wondered where all the light on the foredeck was coming from. I knew the anchor light was on, but this is a single white bulb at the top of the mast and should not illuminate the foredeck. So I looked up.
And saw, for the first time since my youth, the Milky Way.
Many minutes later, I realized Carol was waiting on a report as to the cause of the bump, so I called her out on deck. We stood, mesmerized. I wanted to take a picture, but realized that it was useless. Pictures never convey a sense of reality. That is why you go see, for yourself.
The next morning I drove Carol across the river in "small craft advisory" conditions to the dock to repair the broken shower hose. It was a bumpy ride.
Both Clambake and I were tired.
Sea Bird has a vee berth forward where we sleep. There is a large opening hatch over the berth that opens forward. This is a pain when making way, as we have to keep it shut so water doesn't wet our bed. But at anchor, the boat naturally swings to point into the wind. We were therefore treated with a very nice breeze down the hatch after we turned in for the night.
Then came the bump in the night.
On a boat, a bump in the night can mean many things. It may be something as simple as something falling over. It may be that the canvas hatch cover has been blown slightly down the lifeline by a gust of wind. It may be that you have been grazed by an aircraft carrier.
Fortunately, our bump was because of the wind. Nevertheless, I had to investigate.
It was 3:00 am. The bump woke us both. When I climbed out on deck, all was well. At some point, I wondered where all the light on the foredeck was coming from. I knew the anchor light was on, but this is a single white bulb at the top of the mast and should not illuminate the foredeck. So I looked up.
And saw, for the first time since my youth, the Milky Way.
Many minutes later, I realized Carol was waiting on a report as to the cause of the bump, so I called her out on deck. We stood, mesmerized. I wanted to take a picture, but realized that it was useless. Pictures never convey a sense of reality. That is why you go see, for yourself.
The next morning I drove Carol across the river in "small craft advisory" conditions to the dock to repair the broken shower hose. It was a bumpy ride.
Both Clambake and I were tired.