Bald Head Island, NC

June 1st, 2014

Well got up this morning and watched the remainder of Andy's match.  i think Andy was happy that he beat Kohlschreiber after a hard fought match over two days!! 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 12-10.  Well played to both of them and I'm relieved Andy got through. 

June 2nd, 2014

I watched Andy play again.  His match was easier today and he won in three sets.  We decided to go to    the civil war historical site here at Fort Fisher.  Unfortunately once we got there it was closed on Mondays.  We will have to try and come back.  The lighthouses we want to see are also closed on Mondays so we headed back to the house.  We have both been feeling really tired and so another rest day won't hurt.  

June 3rd, 2014

Today we caught two ferries on our quest to find more lighthouses.   We decided to go to Bald Head Island.  This island does not allow cars so you either walk, ride a bike or hire a golf cart.  We decided we would hire a golf cart but first we had to get there.  We arrived at the Fort Fisher Ferry just in time to get on a ferry to Southport.  The trip took 35 minutes and was a great deal at $5 for Tilly and both of us. 

Enjoying the ride

Got a picture of me taking a picture in the car on the ferry

Looking behind us

We took a picture of Price's Creek Lighthouse, which can only be seen from the ferry or a boat as it is privately owned. 

We landed in Southport and drove the short distance to the terminal for the ferry to Bald Head Island.  We parked the car and walked to the terminal. Unfortunately we arrived there at 11:30am and the next ferry wasn't until 1pm.  I didn't realize there wasn't one at noon, ugh!!  Anyway, we waited and sat in some rocking chairs watching the boats go by.  We ate our lunch as we waited. 

Eventually the ferry arrived.

This was a shorter 20 minute ride and only a passenger ferry.

The breeze was lovely

We saw Oak Island Lighthouse from the ferry. 

                                      

As we approached Bald Head we could see the lighthouse (Old Baldy). 

Entering the docks

We got our golf cart and off we went.  First stop was "Old Baldy". 

The Keepers House

Getting ready to climb 110 steps

First landing looking down

View from the second landing window

About halfway, phew!!

 The view from the top which was accessed by a few steps like a ladder.

Bryan on the way down

 Although we have climbed more steps than this, this climb was harder than any we have done so far.  I think it was because the steps were steeper.  We did it though, yay!!

These flowers were outside the light keepers house.

You could tell Bryan is a golfer as he drove the cart around with no problems, turning around and reversing without a second thought.  We drove to the other end of the island to see what was left of Cape Fear Lighthouse.  The guide at Old Baldy had given us passport stamps for Old Baldy, Cape Fear and Price's Creek after we spoke to him and told him we had seen Price's Creek on the ferry.  They had only received the two other stamps two weeks earlier so our timing was good. 

Cape Fear Foundation

Cape Fear Lighthouse Foundation

Captain Charlie's Station

We drove the cart along the beach road back toward the ferry landing.  

There were several big houses with views over the ocean and the occasional golf cart whizzed past us. The speed limit was 18mph.  We went along parts of the road seeing no one, it was very quiet. 

I took this VIDEO.  Bryan decided to go a little quicker once we got away from the houses. He wanted to test out his four wheeling.  Don't worry the trees weren't as close as they look.

Another view of Old Baldy

Not sure what this chimney was

We had rented the golf cart for three hours and all too soon it was time to return it. We didn't have time for a sit down meal and there were no fast food places so we got an ice cream and waited for the ferry ride back to Southport.  This phone box was by the ice cream shop. You can't even find these in the UK anymore.

Sue calling family in the UK

We saw this cute cannon on our way back to the dock.

We got on the ferry and returned to Southport.  We took pictures of these houses as we were leaving Bald Island dock.

We arrived in Southport and had just over an hour before our ferry back to Fort Fisher so we had a drive through Southport.  We found a Hardees and stopped for something to eat.  We got back to the ferry terminal and caught the last ferry back to Fort Fisher. 

These seagulls formed a guard as we left

The sun was just starting to set

I think the fresh air, sun and breezes on the boats were great but I did catch the sun on my face and forehead and we were both exhausted but happy after another great day out exploring. 

June 4th, 2014

We stayed in today and got ready to leave tomorrow when we head north toward Havelock, North Carolina.  I watched Andy Murray play Gail Monfils and it was another 5 set match which he eventually won.  Phew!!  Next stop the semi-finals and Rafa Nadal who has won 63 out of 64 matches played at Roland Garros.   Here is a report of the matches today and on Friday Andy will play Rafa.  Rafa is obviously favorite, this is Rafa's tournament, he is the King of Clay but I am sure Andy will give it his all and who knows maybe, just maybe he will win. Maybe he will become only the second player to beat Nadal at Roland Garros.  You will hear me shouting from wherever you are. 

Take Care