An Earthquake and a Hurricane in one week: is this really New England?

Today's weather is picture perfect summer: sunny, breezy and 80 degrees. That won't be the case in 48 hours, which is when Hurricane Irene touches down on the CT shore based on current projections.

On Monday afternoon, the building I work in started to undulate. The 5.8 Virginia based earthquake sent vibrations all the way to Boston and beyond. This does not happen in New England.

On Wednesday, we finally had our sailmaker onboard to check our rig tune and to see the new jib in action. It was blowing 24 apparent and was one of the best sails of the year. Alas, when we dropped our sails and turned on the engine, the sound of the breeze was so loud that it took the smell of burning to realize the starter was stuck on the 5 yr old Yanmar. The starter was fried. 'Murphy's Law'.

This morning we were lucky to get the repairman out to put in a new starter so that we could move Nor'easter behind the breakwater at Stamford and onto Nellie's 2,500 lb mooring (thank you, Jeff).

Here are a few shots of lines and bridles that will hopefully keep her safe:


<><> <><> <><>

Two chock lines to the 12inch bronze cleat on deck. 

<><> <><> <><>

Two lines, more slack than the bow lines, to the mast, plus a tie down for the dogged hatch.

<><> <><> <><>

Mast lines. Those cute coils will be the first to go!

<><> <><> <><>

N'E's L. Francis Herreshoff's bronze strutted T-Boom lashed  down.

We have more to do tomorrow. The newly replaced auto-bilge pump is working perfectly and will have a big job to do. Three points of worry: another boat breaking free, waves so high that we swamp, and the ancient trees at home failing on our brand new cedar roof. And as of 5 minutes ago, our 8-yr old Lab WIZARD started panting heavily. The radar is clear. Can a dog sense a storm 24 hours away?


<><> <><> <><>

p.s. Dom - your Praxilla is set. You owe Jeff a case of Veuve.

I'll close with a great thanks to IHYC's staff. They have done a spectacular job getting our historic clubhouse ready to face the storm. With any luck, IRENE will turn at the last minute just as Hurricane Earl did last year. Hopefully, this is not a repeat of 1938.