Marblehead and Isles of Shoals

Must apologies there are no pictures this time as we are in a bad reception area.  WIll include in next post.
We left our anchorage at the top of Buzzards Bay early Monday morning in the dark in order to catch the last of the tide through the Cape Cod canal.  It was a quick three miles to the entrance to the canal.  The Cape Cod canal saves a huge distance as you do not need to round Cape Cod.  The canal is about 12 miles long and is a major commercial waterway.  The currents can run up to six knots so it is important to transit at the right time.
We entered the canal at first light and motored through.  It was really strange to be on a canal after the sailing done to date.  The banks are lines with trees and the air is full of the smell of the trees.  Its like sailing through a forest.  In addition, being first thing in the morning there was no one else around, no other vessels on canal and the water was absolutely still.  We motored through the canal making 9 knts with the current and exited the eastern end just as the sun was rising into Cape Cod Bay.  From there it was a straight shot across north to Marblehead where we picked up a Boston Yacht Club mooring in the harbour.

Marblehead is another one of these extraordinary east coast US towns.  It has an old town full of revolutionary era buildings.  The narrow streets wind up from the waters edge.  They are lined with old cottages and colonial buildings most with colourful small flower gardens  out the front.  Most of the houses have plaques showing when the house was built and who for.  Great place to just wander around.  Marblehead has a fantastic natural harbour which is home to an estimated two to three thousand yachts.  The whole harbour is a basically a mooring field.  When we arrived we were lucky to get a mooring although due to the size of Dulcinea we are on the outskirts of the mooring field.
We caught up with Noel Young (Susan's dad) and his wife, Jan, for dinner at the Dolphin Yacht Club. At sunset the gong went off and everyone in the restaurant stood facing the flagpole as the American flag was lowered. Americans make great display of their patriotism.
Tuesday began with a morning of school work and then off to lunch at the Boston Yacht Club with Noel who has lived here for 15 years although is originally from Scotland.  We then began a little walking tour of Marblehead, first visiting the Marble Head Arts Centre, then onto Abbott Hall which houses a painting called the "Spirit of 76" by Archibald M. Willard which is a well known piece epitomising the spirit of American revolution.
After a quick provisioning trip, it was back to the boat where we hosted Noel and Jan for some drinks.  Huge thanks to Noel and Jan for their hospitality, gifts for the kids and the interesting insights into the area and history - (PS Noel,  If you remember the name of that book on the revolution pls forward.)
Departed early the next morning and headed to the Isles of Shoals.  This is a group of tiny islands off Portsmouth in New Hampshire.  Lovely spot and nice quiet anchorage.
Schoolwork is progressing although very slowly.  Sam has completed lesson 3 and Calley lesson 4.  This could be a very long school year.

Post from Calley:  Yesterday we sailed to the Isles of Shoals.  It wasn't very far from Marblehead.  When we got there it was not what I expected and there was a ballgamne on - not TV but a real life ball game.  Isles of Shoals are so fun.  See ya.