Bad Night

Charleston City Marina, N32 46.52 W079 56.95

(6/11/05) The first night here was very unpleasant. We were tied up on the outside of the dock exposed to the tidal currents. Around 3AM Tarwathie began getting squashed against the dock. I put out extra fenders. One fender burst. I adjusted the rudder and the lines to balance the forces. Finally the tide turned, but I got no more sleep.

Today I moved to another spot inside and sheltered from the currents.

Went to West Marine and bought new clevis pins and “super” fenders guaranteed for life to never burst.

The marina caters to the rich. The staff acts like servants willing to do any favor. “Drive me the aquarium.” “Bring 7 bags of ice immediately.” “Send the golf cart to help Aunt Agatha get to the restaurant at the end of the dock.”

Libby and I walked in the old part of Charleston. The neighborhood is very much like Schenectady’s Stockade. The trees and plants are much more lavish than those in NY. Charming. One sour note. We passed a hundred or so houses, and saw only one of the residents outside. Most houses had doors and windows firmly shut. The don’t appear to be fun loving people. No double WASPS rather than Italians.

We met an English couple who just sailed in from the Bahamas. They’ll fly back to England for a couple of months to tend to business, then it’s back to their boat and the tropics.

We also met “Bud.” Bud is alone, retired, in his 60s or 70s. He lives on a catamaran. He just sailed in from Key West. Bud is a very nice guy. Reminds me of Bud Dobbert. He needs a woman. Any wannabe “Mrs. Buds” out there?