When Things Don’t go as Planned

Just like on land, some days are better than others. Day 6 was extremely disappointing and frustrating. We were supposed to dinghy into Lewes, DE (for the first time ever) to have lunch with one set of friends and dinner with a second set. But our outboard engine sputtered and conked out, and we barely made it back to Belle Bateau. Dudley tried to repair it but to no avail. 

Hoisting up the ailing outboard engine. Our dinghy is our “car” to land, and without a functioning outboard, we can’t get to shore.

So, we abandoned our rendezvous plans and remained on board, down below because hundreds (no exaggeration) of biting black flies were in the cockpit. We literally swatted our way to 250+ fly carcasses while Dudley braved the cockpit that evening to grill our dinner. Alas.

We rigged a fan to blow the flies away from the companionway door so D could get to the grill without letting too many flies inside.

The next day, Day 7, we innovated mosquito netting we had on board to give us access to half the cockpit, allowing us to move between upper and lower levels without additional flies. We took advantage of the downtime to do some baking, prepare dinner for our upcoming ocean passage, and complete some sewing and repair projects. We were waiting for a good weather window for our first overnight passage on Belle Bateau to begin on Day 8.

We had recently acquired king-size bed mosquito netting to drape in the cockpit for sleeping. So we pulled it out and innovated another solution, for surviving, not just sleeping!

Unfortunately, during the wee morning hours of Day 8, the winds shifted to the northwest and our once-peaceful anchorage became extremely rolly. By then, the flies had vanished, and Dudley moved to the cockpit to attempt to sleep. Cheryl moved to the aft cabin. Neither of us slept well, on the very night that we most wanted and needed a good night’s sleep.

We celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary the night before our overnight passage, with as few flies as possible.

Sometimes, things don't go as planned, no matter how much you plan.