End of this adventure

June 6, 2009 - Never did post a blog on the day we arrived back in Portland, which was Wednesday June third. It felt like returning home after a long trip, moving to a new home, and attempting to reconnect with everyone. So I have the excuse that it has been overwhelmingly busy. But here we are, feeling much at home. Maybe living at a marina is like living at an RV park on the water. L and L

End of this adventure

June 2 - A good day traveling brought us to Newburyport by 1:30. Tied up at the town docks. Called Sheila, and she and Joel came to see the boat and gave us a ride to Dharma class in West Newbury at 7 PM. After class we were blessed with a visit by almost all the Sangha members who were there. Most auspicious was a blessing by Geshe complete with prayer flags and scarves. The Tempe Teh now looks most beautiful. We are planning to leave by 5 AM with the intention of making it all the way home to South Portland tomorrow. L and L

June 1 - Got a late start waiting for the small craft warning to lift. Very windy after the storm of last night. Today however was clear and sunny, mostly on the cool side which actually felt invigorating. We were treated to the beautiful sight of many whales today. We agreed this was the high point of the journey. Anchored now in Gloucester, Ma. This may have been the easiest harbor to get into, with plenty of space for anchoring. Very uncrowded, beautiful harbor. I remember driving here one day to find the Crow's Nest Bar after the movie Perfect Storm came out. ( the true story of the ill-fated sword fish ship out of Gloucester. The captain played by George Clooney). L and L

May 31 - Good sailing today ( actually did have the sails up for awhile). Made 10 knots going with the current through the Cape Cod Canal. We are now at a mooring in Provincetown. The sky has turned dark and the wind is howling. Lorny had wanted to row the dingy in to town. I'm so glad he changed his mind.
I have been trying to find out the meaning of Tempe-Teh for a while now. I checked in German, Dutch, Indonesian. In Indonesian it means tempeh ( the fermented soy beans) and Teh means tea. That didn't make much sense. In French Tempe means temple. Tempe also is a valley in Greece where there was a Temple to Apollo. Teh is a way of saying THE ( an adulterated way). How's that for a boat name - The Temple. If anyone has access to any other possible meaning let me know. Thanks L and L

May 29 - Happily we got expert advice on tightening up something around the rudder shaft, and two new bilge pumps,which has greatly improved the water in the bilge situation. The sailing community is certainly helpful and sociable. Other wooden boat owners immediately gravitate to our boat. Most of them love sailing in Maine, and know a lot more about it then we do. We are very encouraged hearing how similar problems were solved concerning living aboard, maintaining, and sailing a wooden sailboat. Our plan is to leave Point Judith tomorrow and head for Cape Cod Canal. L and L

May 27 (cont from below) surround the boat. Thanks guys ( and girls). L and L