Battle of Great Bridge

We are nearly at the end of the ICW, having stopped for the night at Great Bridge, Virginia, at mile 12. Here we hope to catch up with Roxy who is working on another classic timber boat across the waterway from us and has so generously shared her home-grown salads and veg with us whilst we were marooned in Coinjock.

Memorial to the Battlr of Great Bridge

Great Bridge is famous as the site of one of the first battles against the British. In 1775, the Brits were trounced by the Americans and kicked out of Norfolk. There is an impressive memorial here by the free dockage to remind us of our defeat. However, plenty of evidence of the colonial past can still be found. Tomorrow we shall anchor in Portsmouth on the Elizabeth River, which sits opposite the city of Norfolk. Up the Chesapeake, we see Oxford next to Cambridge, Epping Forest next to Sherwood Forest, and Nottingham a short distance away. We may also take in London Towne, and no, that is not a typo.

Dawn on he ICW at Gret Bridge

Further up the Elizabeth River, we found Norfolk to be full of the expected metropolitan annoyances. The riverside docks extend for many miles and are home to a score of US Naval Ships undergoing refit. We are anchored under the bow of an aircraft carrier draped in white shrouds to maintain her secrecy. The multitude of bridges also provided a challenge as James had to attempt to hold station for waits of up to an hour for openings. The weather has also transformed. It is now holding a steady 26C and not forecast to cool again until the weekend. We shall spend an afternoon at the maritime museum before continuing into the Chesapeake proper.