We launched on Saturday, Yuletide’s 28th year. The day started with dense fog, I could not even see the end of the saltmarsh, and had been preceded by days of thunderstorms….
We launched with the normal hassles, rigged the vessel on a transient mooring, and departed Earl’s Marina at 3:00 on the nose. The wind was an easy 12 knots. By the time we cleared West Island it was 22, and Peter reefed the main. It continued to 25, so we shortened the roller furler to 100%. It was blowing! We flew across the bay, and soon were headed through Woods Hole.
Surprisingly, I miscalculated the tide, and it was against us. A snotty, overcast day. The only nice thing was we had all of Buzzard’s Bay to ourselves, and were alone as we navigated through the hole. The Steamship ferrys were the only other vessels in the channel. We got pretty drenched crossing Vineyard Sound. 
Soon we were approaching the Tashmoo channel inlet, and shot through under reefed main. No cruising vessels at anchor on this day. We got the main down, and were soon on our mooring, home again home again.
The next morning I got to chat with Doron and his pretty catboat Bella, as I had my first cup of coffee. Overcast or not, it was nice to be back in Tashmoo!
