27 Aug - Our plan for today was to fit the new windlass motor and then head around to Stillwater Cove, a little bay by Carmel that had been recommended to us by a couple in San Francisco.  After getting all the tools out ready to fit the motor we realised this couldn't actually be done without taking the anchor off the chain - as this was deployed we were therefore stymied so we put all the tools back in the boat, stashed the motor, manhandled to anchor up and left for Carmel.  The trip round was the usual frustrating motor as the wind managed to stay on our nose for the full 5 hours, even though our course took us through 180 degrees to get there! At least we had glorious weather as we went and, close to shore, we could gorp at the ridiculously expensive real estate around here (won't get much change out of $20M US for anything around here apparently).

Who lives in a place like this?

As we headed into Stillwater cove a boat came out to meet us; it was the harbour master coming to welcome us in and help us navigate the kelp infested channel and find a good spot to anchor - a great introduction to this truly amazing little cove.  The Cove is surrounded by Pebble Beach Golfcourse - of course we had no idea but this is apparently one of the best golf courses in America having hosted the US open many times.  We cleaned up and went ashore, then blagged our way into the Pabble Beach tennis and Beach club for a cocktail with some fine views over the bay. 

It's a hard life!

We then went for a stroll around this very storied golf course.  There was a visitors centre that we dropped into and it was there that we learnt of the history of the course and its internationally famous clientele (Bing Crosby used to host a famous tournament here every year). 

Is this a famous trophy??

On the way back we passed  the 17th hole, the 'most photographed hole in golfing' apparently.  Back on the boat we looked across and again, with a glrorious sunset took our own photo's of the 17th green - just a stones throw from the boat!

The 17th green at sunset

The evenings was one of the calmest we had experienced for some time and, after being able for once to do some star gazing, we settled down for a peaceful night;s rest.