Leaving Beaufort

Originally uploaded by rosailither.

We spent three days in Norfolk, did yet another 'last shop' and stocked up on supplies. The weather was not perfect for leaving from there so we set off on the 200-mile journey through the Intra Coastal Waterway to Beaufort. This bypasses the notorious headland of Cape Hatteras (see charts for numerous wrecks there) and takes us a bit closer to our destination.
The waterway starts very industrial at Norfolk, passing the largest naval base in the world, full of aircraft carriers, submarines and huge grey naval vessels. This is followed by a large shipping depot, where the banks are piled high with multi-coloured containers. Then briefly through the town of Norfolk before slowly getting more rural and the grain silos and gravel piles give way to fir trees and reed beds.
As forecast, a big storm blew through so we sheltered in a little creek for a day before heading into the next relatively open stretch of water. Five days of travelling brought us to Beaufort and back to the coast.
We've been here a few days waiting for a good forecast to leave. The winds have been NE, in direct opposition to the Gulf Stream, which we will cross on our first day out, so we have been waiting for the wind to drop for a smoother crossing.
From here it's 1200 miles to the British Virgin Isles, which should take us between 10 to 15 days.
As you can see we've been getting the boat ready for sea, made a few alterations to the wheelhouse, a lick of white paint and a new name!