July 2007
Well the riding did happen. Tina persuaded Angie that it would all be a good idea although Angie’s horse was not initially willing. After all these years some subsequent physical discomfort was pretty inevitable really...
With great regret we had to move on from our stay with Ed and Tina which had already been extended by a day. Our next stop was in Annapolis, the sailing capital of the Chesapeake Bay. There are mooring fields laid out in strategic places around the town and these are well serviced by the Harbour Master with visits as required by the Pump-Out boat. We quickly discovered the weekly rate and picked out a prime mooring before the weekend rush.
There are plentiful dinghy docks but an excellent water taxi service was much more convenient for long or late trips. Security is not an issue.

Angie getting to know her mount with Tina in attendance
Bronzes depicting Alex Hailey reading to children from 'Roots'
Lady on her mooring in Annapolis near the entrance to the public dock and the 'Ego Wall' where people moor up to be seen

Annapolis is the home of our friends Al and Susan who we had first met in Antigua when their catamaran dragged its anchor in English Harbour. Al picked up our freshly galvanised anchor from Baltimore and its position as our primary tackle was promptly restored. Our duplicate CQR has yet to see service!
Annapolis is a tourist trap as well as a sailing centre and its proximity to Washington and Baltimore ensures that it is always busy. One of the major attractions is the Naval Academy which dominates the eastern side of the town. Surprisingly it is open to the public and we spent two great days exploring.

A view of the Maryland State House
A plaque detailng the history of the State House
The senior officers at the Naval Academy live in these lovely houses along one side of the main thoroughfare
The interior of the Naval Academy Chapel - families are not allowed contact with plebes but can attend chapel on Sunday and see them there without speaking
A model hangs between organ pipes at the back of the chapel

The architecture may be fairly modern but it is beautiful - the interior of the chapel was particularly well done. The British are pretty much the villains of the history here and the French, surprisingly, are historical allies. Yet again we found ourselves with a different version of history to learn.

At this time of the year the only students are the ‘Plebes’. These are the students in their first weeks of basic training who are being supervised by more senior students. At lunch time everyday they assemble on parade to be marched into the dining room and it makes a great spectacle for visitors and families.

Did you know that Captain John Paul Jones won the great battle of Flamborough Head, aided by the French - this is his Napoleon style tomb
A small group of the 1,000 or so plebes in the lunch parade learning from notepads and from a booklet called 'Reef Points'
The plebe band plays to accompany the plebes marching to lunch

The Plebes carry round booklets packed with information that they must learn and on which they may be quizzed at any time. This includes the exact details of the menus for each day for each meal and the exact time remaining to graduation!

On our first visit we went with Al and Susan as part of a Yacht Club visit and were taken round by an official guide who was a retired naval officer who had been through all this himself. He was a mine of intriguing information and had a great sense of humour. We did not manage to visit the museum on the first day and promised ourselves we would return.

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