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06.23
Up at 0830. Did not fall asleep until 0130 as there was quite a bit of
noise starting around midnight. Strike out Nanaimo as a preferred
stopover point. Dock fees also more than doubled to over seven bucks!
Oh well, no one ever said the cheap times were to last forever!
Departed at 1020 under O/B and switched to sail at 1100 hrs. The range
was active so I had to sail around the south end. But I got a
beautiful run for about four hours when the wind sort of went kaput.
By that time, I was out of the range so I just hummed along until I got
close to Merry Island then I switched to O/B (at 1800 hrs) for the run
to Smuggler Cove. Arrived at 1915 hrs. All in all, a beautiful sunny
day and a fantastic sail.
If you cut across Wiskey Golf... you see lots of action Shot taken on a previous trip
I monitored the VHF throughout the crossing. it gives one a nice
feeling of never being quite alone even though you can't see any other
boat traffic for miles around. I even monitored a Mayday call; a small
cruiser off Gabriola Island. Dropped anchor in my usual spot at
Smuggler. This place never ceases to amaze me; so beautiful and
restful. I made a new 120 foot anchor line for the light Danforth. But
I have a very long and heavy chain to go with it so it should prove
satisfactory. I will try that new anchor for the next few days. It is
much easier to get back on board than the heavy Danforth. Better save
that heavy (read: expensive) Danforth for those days when the wind means
business. And, remembering the tornado at Beausoleil Island.... I have over
six hundred feet of line onboard. I'm ready!
I was going to work on the book tonight, as I did last night for over
two hours, but it is so difficult to concentrate in such a nice
setting. Talked with people familiar with Desolation Sound. I was
told again not to miss Princess Louisa. And I won't. I should enter
Jervis Inlet in two to three days. Just can't wait. But first, I must
go to Pender Harbour (Madeira Park) where there is a large food store.
I need to buy some bulk food to last me for at least three weeks (like
pancake, noodles, mix etc) and, hopefully, some cheaper coffee than at
Nanaimo.
Getting closer, and closer!
Just saw, and felt, my first mosquito of the season. Hope it doesn't
have too many relatives. I have started drinking tea and love it. Made
a thermos of boiling water just before leaving this morning then, while
in the Gulf, I just had to throw a tea bag in the cup and voila! No
muss, no fuss. Beats having to mix coffee (at eleven bucks a jar).
I have just finished making cigarettes and am presently listening to
'Nocturne' on cassette, while watching the skyline. Although the sun
settled a while back, it is still very clear (and it's a quarter past
ten). it is moments like this one which makes an early retirement worth
it. I just wish Georgette were here to appreciate this scene with me.
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