October-ween / Hallo-fest Tip-A-Few. . . .

The Chesapeake Bay Table wrapped up a very busy month of October with their traditional monthly Tip-A-Few gathering - this time hosted by Brother Blue Stache and Sook Diana on the deck of Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth. With a perfectly timed break in the rainy weather of the past 4 days, Brothers came by sea, land vehicle and foot to share in the festivities featuring grilled bratwurst, beans, potato salad, super dessert cakes and, of course, that demon RUM!!!

After a month of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, the Virginia Wine Festival, and more, the Table took this time to just catch up with each other and enjoy a level of comraderie – celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, pretty new vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, Brother Limey and Sook Holly and Brother Piper were not able to join us since Limey was anchored off the Wacamaw River in South Carolina on their way south for the winter and Piper was participating in his annual re-enactment camping trip.

The Table was very fortunate to have Brother Felix (Paul Anderson) and Captive Erika from the Gold Coast Table join in the event as they were passing through Norfolk on the motor vessel Magic – heading south from the far reaches of the Canadian provinces. They have visited this fair Table many times in the past and it is always a pleasure to have them here on the Chesapeake.

Another great event shared in the great traditions of the Brotherhood of the Coast.


PS : As always, more pictures on the photo album of the Chesapeake Bay table

The work was in the Galley. . . . .

The Chesapeake Bay Table gathered in the far reaches of the waterways of Mathews County – Put-In Creek off the East River in Mobjack Bay – for a 4th consecutive Labor Day weekend to honor all those working folks, trying to get by!! This annual Tip-A-Few was at the direction of Brothers Pilot and Upwind. The thing that can be said with certainty is the work done over this 3 day raft-up of 8 vessels; 9 Brothers; 1 Engage with partner; 9 Sooks; 4 guests; 24 folks total, was done in the galleys of these gathered vessels.

The raft began forming Saturday afternoon with Party Central, ORZA, as the anchor vessel. Soon, Hampshire Rose (returning from 4+ weeks up north), Talisman, Casual Class, Blue Moon, Fresh Air, and Cat Nap joined in with the announcement, Dinner at 7:00!! The vessel Shanty joined us on Sunday. The rest of the weekend was more of the same – some of the best meal combinations for every meal - breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, WOW!! That’s really saying a lot since we are used to good food. From the coconut shrimp to the superb beef and pork, right on down to the ‘parsnips’ – it was really great!!

The weather was terrific, winds were gentle and the company beyond reproach so dinghy adventures (shopping and trash runs), boat projects, ‘12 ounce curls’, cannon fire (although a very polite local shore side resident requested this activity stop at dusk on Sunday – request honored – shaking his living room window was probably not the best idea) and Andanadas ensued throughout. Just swinging on the hook with the tides – how bad can it get?

By late morning Monday, everyone was heading south (yes the winds had come southerly instead of the northerlies of trip up), back to the real ‘labor days’ waiting in the home ports. Another classic Brotherhood weekend in the Chesapeake.