2016

May 7-14                                      Portsmouth, Virginia

After enjoying a wonderful family brunch at our home, we departed for Norfolk at approximately 7:00 PM.  We were fortunate to be in first class so the flight was easy.  Our taxi driver from the airport was very accommodating and took our heavy bags to the boat and lifted them on deck.  Of course, David tipped well as his courtesy was greatly appreciated and facilitated a wonderful arrival on The Bottom Line.

David and Miller Dupuis, our friend from Maine, had completed a renewal of the overhanging eves.  As expected, Miller had done an amazing job.  The non-skid decking was not completed due to weather so we had to find another source to complete the project.

Sunday was a day to relax, unpack, and enjoy again our wonderful boat.  David’s eye problems, diagnosed before we left as a blurring of vision due to eyelid growth, seemed to be accelerating.  He wanted to have surgery as soon as possible to remediate the problem but did not want to leave the boat. 

With internet research, we located a local ophthalmologic plastic surgeon in the area with impressive credentials.  We were able to secure an appointment on Monday and traveled to his clinic in Virginia Beach.   After extensive examinations, he agreed with the previous diagnosis and operative procedures were scheduled for the following Wednesday. 

Another internet search found a company specializing in boat painting.  We visited their facility, learned they did only government work, and made contact with an employee who indicated he would do the job for us.  We had made progress!

Intermittent rain and wind kept us on the boat where we completed projects, began others (the nativity needlepoint canvases brought from home), and observed the changing marina scene.  As we are located at Mile 1 of the Intracoastal Canal, boat traffic headed northward from Florida and the Caribbean is significant at this time of year.  In addition, there are commercial vessels, naval ships, Coast Guard boats, and numerous local sailboats cruising past the marina in the Elizabeth River headed toward Chesapeake Bay.  We find it to be an interesting and often compelling sight.