A fine Kettle of Fish

[bob budd]

Departed Manchester Harbor around 11AM. The overcast and hazy conditions we encountered obscured Baker’s island from the familiar gazebo. The sun would persist throughout the day, now and then opening a crack in the cloudy ceiling, but ultimately failing to create the same sky as the day before.

We were soon headed East with nearby Kettle Island in mind. Another swimming hole to visit, a demonstrably lazy day on our minds. I hugged the coast aways rolling in the confused and reflecting seas. Up on the rocks a power boat was seen, it would be towed in as we returned.

Poor Rodney. After stringing a new set of deck lines and bungies, a flaw in the deck had presented itself as delaminated chopped strand layers forward of the furthest deck fitting. This having presented itself last Sunday in Plum Island sound had gotten our attention on Saturday and now looked like a rather neat depression in the gelcoat.

I was wearing my “first layer” long sleeve (hate slathering sun block) and my farmer john and was rolling now and then. I found the water warm. At one point Spike broke into song, “Bob Did A Roll” to the tune of Barbara Ann, and I struggled to paddle out of ear shot. His rendition was thankfully brief.

When we reached Kettle Island Karen expressed interest in staying in her boat so the two of us continued up the coast, turning back at the Gloucester light. There was little traffic at the mouth of the harbour. Sailboats were well represented though there were stink boats including a few unnecessarily noisy speeders.

A steady, somewhat confused, swell built through the day reaching aways from shore. The going was easy, though, and we arrived back at Kettle for the “dinner bell”. Once we had emptied our stores Spike and I swam out to first one, then another lobster buoy. With no lines on the bottom of the ocean, I struggle to keep a straight line. When we returned to the swimming hole, I dove into the trench to find a host of starfish, urchins, and crabs.

A final note, Manchester(-by-the-Sea) is now snobbishly enforcing a two-hour parking limit behind the police station. As I recall, we used to park around the corner, not sure if this is still supported.