September 2 -- Aquidneck Island at Last, Third Beach Anchorage

We had anchored here only once before. It was last summer, on July 8, after a 55 mile day and before a 43 mile day. So we just rested up, ate and slept here then. How do I remember this? I don't; but the blog does not forget. This time we arrived at the end of a pleasant five mile passage, longer with tacking, down the Sakonnet River from the Fogland Anchorage. Nice wind and only two tacks; using the main and small jib; towing the dink.

But plans to dink in and swim at the public beach were thwarted by two facts. First on this Monday of Labor Day the air was cool and the clouds seemed to confirm the weather forecaster's prognosis of rain. In fact the rain was light and late but the coolness made for not very "beach like" weather. 

The second reason for not swimming was our smelling and then seeing diesel fuel in the bilge. About four hours of work went into getting it out and into our spare diesel fuel tank along with some water from the bilge. We accomplished this without polluting the environment which is immoral and illegal. Then I cleaned the bilge's oily surfaces with fantastic on paper towel pads. We hope that the leak came from overfilling one of the tanks, such that fuel was standing in the fill hose and leaked out. If that is not the cause, we have a bigger problem. Lene was a willing assistant in this dirty job and we kept the boat clean in the process. 

Lene was an excellent tennis player and every year around this time they broadcast the US Open to  distract her from sailing. She has an unlimited data package from AT&T so she can watch as much.the playing and commentary as she wants on her iPad, which is a lot.

Our night off Third Beach in 18 feet of water on 60 feet of snubbed chain with lots of room to the nearest boats, which were on moorings, was the least peaceful of this cruise -- the only night that was not peaceful. The ocean swell crept into the cove and rolled the boat back and forth. My guess is that it was only about five degrees to each side, for a total of ten, but clearly noticeable when one is trying to sleep.
Tomorrow: Newport, also on Aquidneck Island.