October 4th
Friday night we stayed at an anchorage in Goose Creek, just before the canal to Hobucken. It was pretty desolate here.

Next day we went down the canal and into Gale Creek, then into the Neuse. We sailed for a while not really enough wind though. Part of the problem is we start at dawn and the wind doesn't get up until the afternoon. Tempted to go into Oriental but decided to crack on to Beaufort.
Put the main down fired up the motor and went into Adams Creek and everything changes we are now a line of boats, huge motor yachts are calling us up requested they pass on our port side.
By the time we get out of Adams Creek the wind is blowing 16 knots over the deck. We decide to stay at the Beaufort Docks marina. They tell us to head down the Russel slough (pronounced slew). I'm stressed about the prospect of going into a marina with 16 knot winds and strong currents. We get to the drawbridge and only have to wait a few minutes. Go through and into Taylor Creek. The wind isn't so bad and neither is the current. A guy is standing on the dock waving to us. We slip in no problem.
Beaufort is a real tourist (small) town, picturesque with an attractive Boardwalk with restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors. The place is really alive

Not only is it Saturday night but it turns out we arrived for the Sea Food festival in near by Morehead City. The restaurants on the boardwalk have live bands, and at 9pm there is an impressive firework display over Morehead City which we can see from the boat.

Sunday 6th

We decided to stay another night in Beaufort so that we could spend some time with John and Joy who drove down from Raleigh. 

We have a drink and catch up on family histories and they take us to a Piggly Wiggly for a grocery shop. The store must have had wifi as Joanne facetimed me (intending to get Catherine). It was great to talk to Jo and the kids but I couldn't help feeling future shock. Joanne's face appearing in front of me in a Piggly Wiggly.

We then drove to Fort Macon and walked around it. We hooked up with a very friendly tour guide named Rich, who walked us around the Fort telling us the history of it. At the end John said he was taking us to the beach because we wanted to see the Atlantic shoreline. Rich said if you like I'll take you up in my plane. It was an offer we couldn't refuse. We drove to the airport and Phil and I climbed into this beautiful Grummond Tiger.

Rich took us around Shackleford Island then a 360 around the Cape Lookout lighthouse and this time an aerial tour of Fort Macon then down the start of the ICW route that we would take next day.

After we landed Rich did the same trip for John and Joy. What an amazing guy.

We had tried to persuade Rich to join us for dinner but he was already committed so we gave him our profuse thanks and left for dinner at Finz, the restaurant Rich had recommended in Beaufort. Imagine our surprise when we sat at the table looking at the menus and in walks Rich with John's hat which he'd left in the plane. Unbelievable!