Cold Harbor Springs, New York

View from our starboard side as we pulled up anchor in Manhasset Bay

This morning, in Manhasset Bay, we got the dinghy back on the foredeck and pulled up anchor at 10 a.m. in order to head north across Long Island Sound to City Island, a part of the Bronx.  We docked at the City Island Lobster House just after 11 a.m., with help from Peter, Jane's husband. We had arranged to rendevous with Virginia (Peter's mother's cousin) and part of her family from Australia:  her daughter Jane, Peter and their 14-year-old daughter Frances.  Luckily for all us, Virginia, who is 89 years old and lives in Syracuse, is good with social media and the Internet.  She alerted us to the fact that Will and Caitlin would be in Brooklyn in addition to letting us know about Jane and her family's extended holiday.

Mantra getting ready to dock at City Island Lobster House

The four of them went to see the New York City Ballet perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City yesterday evening.  The production was "dazzling" according to their reports and it was a highlight of Frances' vacation in New York because she trains and practices for many hours everyday with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina.  One of her teachers used to be with the NYC Ballet and Frances will be performing in one of the ballets they saw last night, so it was very special for her.

The four of them joined us on the boat to take a look around her.  As we sat on deck, we could not help but notice the noise of the firing range for the New York City Police Department is near City Island.  The practice sounded like continuous fireworks, so we ate inside the quiet of the restaurant, which was lovely.  The food and service were wonderful, and we enjoyed spending a couple of hours talking about family, travels and plans for the future.

Virginia in the cockpit of Mantra

Peter, Virginia, Jane, Sherri, Peter and Frances at the Lobster House

After they left, Peter and I walked a few blocks to a bait and tackle shop to get ice for our perishable food as we still do not have a functioning refrigerator.  Along the way, we saw some lovely old homes.

At 2:30 p.m., we cast off from the dock without any assistance, motored through the channel and then, within a half an hour, set our sails and headed east on Long Island Sound at an average speed of 8 knots.  We anchored well before sunset, at 6:00, in Cold Springs Harbor.  It is calm and idyllic here.  Along the shore and partially hidden in the trees higher up in the low hills are grand and elegant estates.  There are boathouses larger than the homes of most people dotted along the sandy shore.  New York City seems far away although it is only a few miles to the west.