We spent the day in Halifax - really needed a change of scene. The guys lost a bet and here they are paying up - breakfast and dishes too!! 

Still can't believe that Sylvie talked us into this but we had fun, even if we were a little odd looking. 

The old guys dancing. The long johns looked pretty good with Sylvie's dress. We had a great time!! 

The guys are dressed up for the "snooty" yacht club party. Sylvie fashioned the required bow ties from spare kerchiefs. 

Looks like we need new house batteries, not an easy accomplishment here in Shelburne. Thank goodness for the Binnacle. The batteries arrived by courier at 8:00am this morning. Alas we also needed a new head, Binnacle to the rescue again. Check out www.marigot.blogspot.com for our latest "head" shots. Anyway looks like we are set to head off to Boston, hopefully nothing else will need to be replaced. There are quite a few boats waiting to leave so we'll have lots of company. 

Marco's passed the coffee making test! 

Ray's supposed to be barbequing but I thinks that's the cell attached to his ear. 

Our first dinner all together. Sylvie's a great cook - we may be rolling off in the spring. 

We have wine stashed everywhere!!!! 

Ray's impressed with our first homemade biscuits on Sea Holly. They were pretty good actually. 

Ophelia passed us by thank goodness, hope we are as lucky for the rest of the season. We are waiting for a weather window now to cross to Boston - looks like it might be as long as Thursday cause we don't want 25 knots on the nose all the way to Boston. We are all ready to go though, at least once we dry out from yesterday. Sylvie is a great cook - we have to figure out a way to get lots of exercise or we will be in big trouble in a few months!! 

Ray and I are really looking forward to this new chapter on our boat. Our family, as usual, is all over the place: Devin is heading to Yellowknife; Alana and Chad are going to Egypt and Sara and Aaron are considering a move to London. Mom is quite content to stay at home - good thing someone is. 

Brad Fleet came through with some great insurance coverage for us and we can leave the Chesapeake on November 1 instead of November 30!! That's good news because we are trying to get away from the cold. 

It's been a long week but my medical stuff is almost over, one more appointment tomorrow morning and then back to the boat. Sylvie and Marco are all settled in and everyone is ready to go - as soon as Ophelia let's us that is. 

Here's Ray buffing away at the Brooklyn Marina. We are still airing out after all the rain and FOG in Chester. 

Our son, Devin, at home on Lockhart's Island. He hasn't met Sea Holly in person but he was responsible for her name. 

Sea Holly on her mooring in Shelburne. We'll be staying here for a couple of weeks. Marco and Sylvie will be joining us and we hope to set sail directly for Boston the week of Sept. 19, mother nature permitting. We are pretty excited about our first offshore adventure. I believe in fate - Marco and Sylvie were with us on our very first sail on Sea Holly and it's only right that they will be with us on our first offshore passage - we are so pleased they decided to come with us. 

One of the museums along the waterfront in Shelburne. 

The Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club - another pretty spot but it didn't grab us as much as Brooklyn. There's lots of history here - some of the homes we walked past dated from the 1700's and have been beautifully restored. 

A street mural in the town of Liverpool. We didn't take any photos of the marina which is in the village of Brooklyn which is strange because it was absolutely our favourite spot so far. We spent two days at the marina, the hospitality was wonderful. When we become landlubbers again, this is where we want to live (so far). 

The ovens off Lunenburg - sure looks different from the water. 

This was so pretty as we passed Lunenburg Harbour.