As usual I seem to be having a little trouble keeping the Blog up to date, however let me take a moment to bring everyone up to speed with the Table happenings through the end of the year.

We did not have a tip a few in October but the month saw plenty of activity as  Brothers and their vessels plied the bay from Norfolk to Baltimore for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. 

I had a very long, wet, and somewhat rough trip up, as Shanty spent many a day “Motor Plowing” into 25 to 30 Knot winds out of the North and bucking six foot seas.  Once again, thanks and Kudos to the Solomon’s Table, for their hospitality and friendship, as I lay over for a few days.  For the Race Back Shanty’s crew was joined by Brother Country Boy.  This Year Brother Pilot entered his and Francine’s new “Rocket Catamaran”  Pounce in the Race. They were Joined by Brothers Floater, and Boogieman. 

Other Brothers and Captive readied their vessels for their journeys south for the winter. 

In November we saw some of our Table leave for the warmer climes, but November also brought us some visiting brothers from across the Atlantic.  Jean Pommeret of France arrived with crew on his vessel Nao, while David and Mark Siedl, Per Langhelle, and Lasa arrived on the Norwegian Tall Ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl. This was the month for Brother Bui and Captive Susan to host the tip a few. 

With all the Brothers from other countries in attendance this became an International Zaf!  Many a toast rang out that night and even a song in Norwegian.  

 

 

Of Course December brings us not only the Holiday season but Boxing Day at Brother Cruz’s.

As always He and Michel threw a wonderful party with good leftovers and the Traditional Gift exchange.  It seems that the camouflaged toilet seat was a popular gift.

 

 

The last couple of months found us missing a few of our number as:

Limey and Holly, Bluestash and Diana, Rocket Boy and Sherri, and Broad Reach.

Raised their anchors and cruised south. Also let us not forget Bris Galets in France.

More summer

August and September continued to be a pleasant summer on the bay.  In August we had a Brothers only Tip A Few hosted by Rocket Boy.  Twelve intrepid Brothers braved the slightly overcast weather to eat hot wings. nachos, and drink beer, O yeah, and discuss Table business, at The Lagoon Restaurant located at Bay Point Marina.  This also gave us some time to spend with Brothers Limey and Blue Stash, who would soon be casting off their lines to cruise to the sunny waters in the south.  We will miss their company but are happy knowing they are following their dreams.

August also gave us a chance to again spend time with The Solomon’s Table, this time at their Big! Big! Big!  Crab Races.  Every August the Solomon’s Table Host a wonderful Zaf, complete with Seafood, BBQ, Drinks, fun, and great times.   Cruz and Upwind arrived by boat while the remainder of us came by land yachts.  This Year’s event was made more special by the induction of the Annapolis Table and the meeting of the National Captains. Congratulations and Thanks to the Solomon’s Table for a great event.

September, although was fairly quiet, the landsman would have noticed the Brotherhood flag flying over the anchorage off the City of Hampton when Talisman and Shanty rafted up for the Hampton Bay Days weekend.  This month also found the Brothers and Captives gathered at Rebel Marina for a Tip a few hosted by Upwind and June.

Summertime Fun

June has traditionally been a full month for the Brothers and Captives of the Chesapeake Bay Table, and this June was not an exception.  Last year at this time we hosted the National Zaf, piggybacking it onto Norfolk’s yearly Harborfest celebration, followed up by the annual Solomon’s Table/Chesapeake Table Raftarancho.  No Zafarrancho this year, but the Raftarancho took place as usual.  June gave us much good news, but also provided us with some troubling news, as well.      Vessels from our extensive fleet continued to ply the Chesapeake Bay, the ICW, the great Atlantic Ocean. Come to think of it, just another usual month in the lives of the Brothers of the Chesapeake Bay Table.

As I mentioned earlier, this month brought us some troubling news, as we received word that our esteemed Brother Brise Galets, suffered a bad stroke on Pappy Jovial’s arrival in Cherbourg France. Fortunately Pappy Jovial had already made Port when the attack happened and the Medics arrived in time.  Brise Galets spent some weeks in the hospital but has since been recovering with the loving care of Karen, his Family and the French Brotherhood. All in the Table are keeping them in our thoughts and wish him a continued recovery.

Although there was no Zaf at this year’s Harborfest, four black flags good be seen flying at the bulk head.  Harborfest was pretty much a bust this year with a tropical storm bringing us very brisk winds and rain on Friday, But that did not dampen the time spent just hanging out together.

Unfortunately, other commitments and timing did not allow for a large attendance at the Yearly Solomon’s/Chesapeake Bay Raftarancho.  It seems a great time was had by those that could arrive by boat or land craft, anyway. 

 

June’s host for the Tip A Few was Tinker and Captive Clair at their home in Willoughby.  With a porch overlooking the Chesapeake Bay it is a splendid place for a get together and has a perfect view of the setting sun.

 July’s Tip a Few was held at Rebel Marina and Co- hosted By Brother Tortuga, Captive Allie, with Brother Blue Stash and Captive Diana.