We spent over two months on our sailing vessel Dolphin in the midst of the pandemic. The summer was hot and dry and perfect for sailing into small coves and bays with few boats in any anchorage because the borders were closed to US visitors. Our preference for location in a storm was to be tied to a dock. We sailed as far east as Little Current and as far west as Blind River.
Monday, June 30, 2020
We arrived on the Chi Chimaun at 3:00 pm into South Baymouth. An hour later we were in Gore Bay busy cleaning the boat. Norm and Mark launched the boat at 6:00 and we put the sheets on the bed. With few places open, we went to the Campbell’s Drive-In, had (terrible) hambugers and we went to bed.
Tuesday-Friday
It was all out cleaning time. I cleaned inside and Bill shampooed the cushions. By Thursday, we put up the sails and, of course, it was windy when we put up the Jib. Our neighbour, Terry, on Footloose, came over when I was stretched out tenaciously holding onto the jib and helped get it onto the spool. Friday we were ready to leave and provisioned for it. Saturday, we left.
Saturday, July 4
We set out around 10 for the Benjamins. Because the wind was against us, we did not sail but arrived on North Benjamin, anchored next to the rockface for two nights.
The Saturday night was busy and noisy with weekenders but very enjoyable. We had a great sunset.
They all left on Sunday and we were alone with one other boat. Another lovely sunset.
Monday, June 5
Our next stop was Oak Bay, a short sail west. We were alone there which was very unusual and the regular cocktail hour at the blue cottage was not happening because the American owners, Elaine and Norm Semrau, had not been able to come. We went out in the kayaks and enjoyed the flowering water irises. Lovely sunset.
Tuesday, June 6-13
We went back into Gore Bay as there were forecasts of thunderstorms, arriving around 2:00 pm. The forecasts continued of rain and thunderstorms all week although few came to fruition and I felt chained to the dock for no reason.
We read and cleaned and I worked on AERA research proposals.
By Saturday, I thought we were free to go out on Sunday and then the winds came up in the morning but settled in the afternoon. By then, Bill felt it was too late to set out. We drove out to the Lighthouse to see the waves at the entrance to Gore Bay.
Monday, June 13
Monday was sail time. We got up early (6:00) but the wind was howling. We sailed out of Gore Bay in a north wind, nasty waves rolling the boat. Once we escaped the bay and turned the corner going east, we had a NW wind and we could sail. After that it was a great sail.
We ended up in Fox Harbour, our first time there, and stayed outside of the pool. Bill took the dinghy and tied the boat to a tree.
A few hours later, we were aground so we lifted the anchor and started again further out.
We went out in the two kayaks visiting the other boats in the pool.
We learned that Jill and Brad on Wavelength had had their batteries blow up and were headed back to Gore Bay where Norm was on the case. Patti and Dave on Pelican had their grandchildren on board and were busy entertaining them.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
We had a great kayak tour up ‘the eye’ which was a path through the island. We came back around 11:00, pulled up anchor and headed for Moiles Harbour. Once we exited Detroit, we were able to put up the Jib and sailed for an hour or so.
Moiles Harbour was quiet with just one other sailboat with a power boat that practiced anchoring with little effect and left. We went for a swim and hoped for a kayak ride but it didn’t happen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
We left Moiles Harbour with just one sailboat there in a cloudy morning for Beardrop Harbour. We sailed for about an hour before the wind changed direction and arrived at Beardrop Harbour at about 2:00 pm. There were 4 other sailboats there and we anchored.
It began to rain a little but then as the afternoon progressed, it poured. Our enclosure was fine with light rain but as it began to pour the leaks in the zippers began to spring more leaks but the middle was dry. We had a quiet reading afternoon and then around dinner time it poured again. There are 5 boats here, two came later. It rained here all day with the rain and thunderstorms in biblical proportions and continued into the night.
Thursday, July 16
The morning is lovely with a few clouds but bright sunshine. We would have stayed but we had a full storage tank and were running low on food. So we headed out about 10:00 for Blind River. With a south east wind, we sailed with both sails for a while and then just the main.
We arrived in Blind River Marina hailing Darryl on the VHF.
When Bill asked if he was Darryl, he seemed surprised. Bill Penisten had told us that Darryl was the manager and would he would treat us well. After a pump out, we docked on the outside dock and Darryl give us a ride to the grocery store. We then used the showers in the marina building and checked the weather. It appears that Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning will be rainy so we plan to head back toward Gore Bay.
Friday, July 17, 2020
With predictions of heavy winds as the day progressed, after coffee at 8:00, we headed for Long Point Cove. With a Southwest wind and some wave action, we sailed all the way to Long Point and had the cove to ourselves. That couldn’t happen again unless there is another pandemic. I washed my underwear and hung it on the jack lines without worrying about upsetting observers and the loon didn’t care.
After lunch, we went out on the kayaks and toured the cove, me in the inflatable and Bill in the plastic one. We both felt that it was easier to get in and out of the inflatable and that the back support was good in both. We went for a swim. I need some lighter water shoes or Bill needs to put on the steps for the ladder. I worked again on the joint proposal and Bill read.
Saturday, July 18
With the expectation of a storm rolling through in the afternoon, we headed out early again after coffee for Gore Bay, about 20 miles going south east. The winds are from the south so we expected to sail but it was impossible without going out of our way. It started out rolly and increased wind and waves made the sail uncomfortable and increasingly uncomfortable. Once we arrived in Gore Bay after 4 hours of rocking and rolling, it calmed down.
We went for a pump out and it was clear that a storm was about to hit. We were no sooner in our slip than the rain came down and the winds increased and that continued all afternoon with waves of storm. Bill cleaned the deck between waves and I worked on getting proposals completed.
Sunday, July 19
We planned to head out again on Sunday but the winds and waves were wild all day Sunday. Many of the docks were full with the seasonal owners in port and transients staying as well. I worked again on proposals waiting for responses from Michelle and Parbati before submitting. Heard back from both with some amendments and arranged for Parbati to upload the joint paper proposal with my assistance on Zoom on Monday. Bill worked on sealing up leaks in the boat with butyle tape. We shopped for groceries in case we could get out on Monday.
Monday, July 20
The winds and waves continued until noon and I worked with Parbati to upload the proposal and uploaded my individual one at the same time. By the afternoon, Bill wasn’t interested in going out so we put it off until Tuesday. Bill fixed the leaking pipe below the sink in the head.
We have new neighbours on our dock and spent some time getting to know them. They are Mary and Jim, both retired teachers from Creemore, near Collingwood. He was an elementary gym teacher and she started as a high school gym teacher and then moved to elementary. They have a 36 ft CNC called White Waves. He has serious back pain, living on CBD oil and other pain relievers and waiting for surgery. The outcome of the surgery will determine if they can continue sailing. She has perfect pitch and plays the piano in the church.
Tuesday, July 21
We headed out of Gore Bay directly into the wind and waves and wondered if we would have to turn back. We called Dean about Wyatt’s birthday and he talked about the world situation. He still has no work but hopes that his concept for branding and preparation will pay off after things open up after September. He also has a door opening at McMaster for teaching MBA courses. He feels that Canada is well-placed to benefit from the current situation in the US and China as the bright lights of those countries will want to come to Canada, especially the people from Hong Kong coming to Vancouver.
We called Wyatt but his new gaming phone went to voice mail so we sang Happy Birthday. They were leaving at noon for a cottage for a few days.
However, once we rounded the point going east, we were able to sail and the waves gradually calmed down. We arrived in Croker Bay to find the small bay with several boats so we headed to the larger bay and found great depth (over 35 feet everywhere). Bill dropped the anchor in 30 feet which is too deep for our rode. We went out in the kayaks and met a group of three boats docked in Midland and sailors from the Burlington area.
They were very friendly and invited us to cocktail hour on the small beach at 3:00. We continued on our kayak tour of the bay and chatted with Michael about where we had been and he shared that he had shipped his boat up because they had had some mechanical problems early in the season. Their boat, an Arden, 1980, is an off-shore (heavy boat like Steve’s), has great lines.
We went for cocktails a little late as we took time to have a swim. Rick was sharing that his garden centre had never done better and he felt a little badly about that with all the businesses suffering.
They were travelling together and leaving for Sturgeon Cove the next day and invited us along.
We knew from the forecast that it was going to rain from around 5 am to early afternoon on Wednesday to closed everything up.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
In fact, it rained from around 5 am until 12:30 pm, heavy at times and we worried that the anchor would not hold in the storm with the winds coming up and we are anchored in 35 feet of water. We definitely need more rode! I finished reading “Must You Go?” a diary by Antonia Fraser, Harold Pinter’s wife, and was very impressed and emotionally involved in it. I must read his plays!
The group of three boats left around noon and we decided to go the opposite direction. We pulled up anchor and with the winds predicted to be from the south west on Friday for returning to Gore Bay, we headed west. We actually sailed the Mc Bean channel with both sails although not for long with the Jib. We went into Shoepack Bay to look at the anchorage but with the wind predicted to be from the East, it was not well enough protected, so we went through Little Detroit and anchored in Cameron Bight just west of Little Detroit. It is protected from the north and east so it was calm there.
With good weather until Saturday, we discussed going into Spanish, a town close to here, where we could get a pump-out and shower, depending on what is open this year. Gorgeous sunset and dark red sky in the bight.
Thursday, July 23rd.
We went into Spanish for a pump-out and ice as the big resort there is not open. It seems so sad. Then we motored the whole way to Turnbull Island because we were going west and the wind was from the west. This is a large number of islands in addition to Turnbull which is long and curved. We anchored between Turnbull and an island, went for a swim followed by kayaks and finished off with a dinghy ride around the islands. We discussed that fact that the inflatable is more sensitive to waves as it sits on top of them while the plastic one sits more in the water.
We remembered being here once for lunch and a swim with Steve and De when they had Siqqatuk in Blind River. We were alone there until suppertime when a motorboat came in.
Friday, July 24
We took our time in the morning heading for John Island/ Dewdney Island around 10:30. We sailed the whole way on the jib, not huge speed 3.5 – 4 knots but great to sail anyway and arrived around 12:30. Bill was debating whether we could get into Cleary Cove because it is usually too shallow and one year, Steve ran aground there but with the high water, me on the bow and going in slowly, we anchored in the Cove along with 3 tugs, one of them Barfoot Shoes is on B dock in Gore Bay.
We went out in the kayaks and visited with our neighbours, Rae and Steve from Kincardine and leave their tug in Gore Bay on the hard. They used to have a sailboat and were planning to take the tug to Florida this winter but that has been delayed for this year.
Steve had been out fishing and cleaned his fish on the rocks. Another man from a Nordhaven in a kayak said that he saw a bear eating the remains of the fish that Steve had left.
We plan to return to Gore Bay tomorrow and are hoping for a good sail as we are heading south and the wind is supposed to be SW.
Saturday, July 25
It was a lovely calm morning in the Cove as we slowly and carefully retraced our track out of the cove with depths showing 5.7 feet (obviously incorrectly calibrated since we draw 6 ft 2 in). In John Harbour it was still calm but once we left the harbour, we hit high waves. The good side of that is that the winds strong and from the southwest so that we could sail as we headed south. The rock and roll of the waves across the bow lasted for a few hours and then calmed considerably.
It was still blowing as we entered the harbour and Bill entered the slip too close to the dock and so he backed up to try again. Then the motor stopped. We realized immediately that the dinghy line was wrapped around the prop but meanwhile we were drifting across the harbour toward the boats on the opposite dock. As luck would have it, there was no boat in the slip where we were drifting and so we tied up at that slip.
Bill tried several times to swim under the prop and unwind the line but to no avail. So he walked over to let Lee, the Marina manager, that we were in slip 11A. He said that we were fine there as the seasonal owners of the slip were out for the weekend. He then went to Canadian Yacht Charters (CYC) to see if the diver was available. He was but didn’t have his equipment with him so he would get to us either that day or the next.
We went out for lunch at Buoy’s (I had Whitefish with salad and Bill had a fish burger) and then walked into town to get groceries. We had just returned to the boat when guess who arrives in the harbour- yup the owners of slip 11A. They tied up at the end of the dock and came steaming over. We explained our situation and they were unimpressed. They moved their huge power boat into an open slip and the man could be overheard grumbling and swearing, “F’in sailboats” for hours.
Fortunately, the diver arrived around 4:00, cut the line. Bill asked him how he would like to be paid m now or at the CYC office. He said $150 cash or transfer and not through CYC as Ken would charge us twice as much. We got organized and hailed our dock neighbours for help and safely landed back in our slip.
We expected our new neighbours, Mary and Jim would be gone as they had indicated that they were going out on Saturday but their boat was locked up. They had apparently gone home.
Sunday, July 26
We had been concerned about our frig warming up but after we were back in port and it was not cooling, we called the refrigeration man to come and top up the coolant. At the same time, Bill was concerned about the batteries so I emailed Diane to see if Norm could do an assessment – he would come Monday mid-morning. We talked about having to drive to Espanola to buy new batteries.
When we had showers in the morning, the shower sump wasn’t working. Bill cleaned out the filter and flushed out the hoses but it still wouldn’t pump out. It appears that the motor needs to be replaced so it is manual pumping for now.
We talked to both Shannon and Dean. Shannon shared the bad news that she was unemployed. Alibi just wasn’t getting any programs and offered a 2-day a week contract that they could recover from Pandemic Money but she was not satisfied with that as she could get that herself as a corporation and look for freelance work. She had contacted some of her contacts and felt that there was work out there for her. It’s a worry but she is optimistic.
I told Dean that I now have two kids out of work and he said, “What are you doing wrong, Mom?” He is busy developing a program, a website and an app for branding and human resources based on Karl Jung’s archetypes. He has a possible teaching job at McMaster and a professor contact at Waterloo interested in his program and in working with him.
Brad who owns a CS36 and loves it came over and shared the route to get into Sturgeon Cove and at the same time, we talked about our interest in a bigger boat. He shared the fact that Ocean Pearl, a CS36 on the hard in Norm’s lot was for sale ($49,000), that he knew the boat and owner and felt that it was a good boat. I emailed Diane and asked to see it on Monday. We looked it up on Pat Sturgeon Yachts and it looked very nice.
Monday, July 27
We went over with Brad to look at Ocean Pearl. It is extremely clean, neat and well-appointed. The woodwork is in excellent shape, the upholstery appears to be fairly new; the galley is bigger and well-organized with a much larger frig; the sails are fairly new and the technology good. The full enclosure is tired-looking and the autohelm needs to be replaced.
Norm assessed the batteries and said they are in excellent shape but said something wasn’t right. It was then that Bill noticed a spark from the plug to the battery-charger. Bill changed the plug and in no time, the frig was working perfectly.
Tuesday, July 28
We talked about changing boats? Was Ocean Pearl the right boat? How would we sell Dolphin? So I emailed our resident expert, Ray Pierce, sent him the website where the boat was advertised and asked his opinion. Generally, he thought it was a good boat but advised checking that the engine indeed had 1300 hours and maybe getting a compression test. He offered us his Bayfield for a few days to see if we liked it. Its drawback is all the teak that needs upkeep.
Bill says that he doesn’t want to be the proud owner of two boats so Ray has a boat agent friend that he would get to sell our boat if we sent the particulars. We are heading out on Wednesday so we will do that when we return.
We did the washing, walked over to The Inn and got the number of the restaurant open on weekends, bought groceries, ice and booze for departure on Wednesday. Diane and Terry on Footloose gave Bill information on heading to Bay of Islands. The winds from the west/northwest look good for going Northeast to Logan Bay on Clapperton Island.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
We were ready to leave before 8:30 when the marina opened when both Jay and K’s, (Jay and Kathy) and Jake headed to the marina early. We waited a long time wondering what was happening and couldn’t get through to Beth on the VHF. Finally, we headed over there before someone bumped us in line. We then heard a powerboat getting through and we hollered over to Beth that we had tried to get her so Jake moved off the dock and let us in. It turned out that they were waiting for CYC to open at 9 to get ice (and holding up the dock). They were going to Oak Bay. We left the harbour by 9 and sailed the whole way to Logan Bay and arrived around 12:30, alone in the bay.
The wind gusts were significant all afternoon from the NW and we wondered about the strain on the anchor but it held well as we swung around in the 25 km gusts. A loon came right up to the boat for a short visit. A very large cloud mass came over late afternoon dropped a shower and then around dinner time there was complete calm and a fabulous sunset.
Thursday, July 30
We left Logan Bay for a short motor (no wind) NW to Matheson Island. We found the anchorage behind Matheson empty and after a false start, too close to shore, we anchored in the middle of the bay. Another sailboat came in (Lolita) with Chris, Jacquie and granddaughter from Kincardine on board. They are sailing their friends’ boat to Little Current where the owner’s will meet them.
They had their boat in the Bahamas in April and had a difficult time getting water or fuel and getting out because the borders were closed and no one could get in or out because of the pandemic. They managed to slip out and left the boat in Georgia.
We went out for a dinghy ride to see the river and falls but after we got out there, the waves came up and we had to turn around and splash into the waves to get back to the boa as the sky was darkening. We managed to have a swim and then the showers started mixed in with sun. in several waves.
Friday, July 31
After a very calm night in the anchorage and morning coffee, we left for Sturgeon Cove. Both Brad and Jill and Diane and Terry had given us advice on getting into the cove as it is tricky entrv with many rocks and despite the current high water levels ( record high). Brad and Jill gave us the following information:
We motor-sailed in light winds and upon arrival at the mouth of Sturgeon Cove, looked for the markers on trees and stones and followed the directions moving very slowly. Just our luck, a fishing boat was right in the exact point that we were to make a significant turn into the cove. They took no notice of us manoeuvring around them and caught two fish while we were there- not sure if they were sturgeon or not. We following the line from the two rocks at the entrance and anchored in 16 feet of water in the southeast corner. There were 4 sailboats, one tug and two motorboats (one was Makin’ Memreez with Hayley, her mom dad and sister, Sarah on the other side of our dock in Gore Bay) in there already. This is a beautiful cove on Grand La Cloche Island with the La Cloche Mountains in the distance. We had been in the cove next to it, Bell Cove, last year and it is one of our favourites, as well.
Jim Williams emailed to say our new water heater will be installed next Tuesday so that is a relief as they were back ordered because of the pandemic shutdown during the spring. We understand that it is still under warranty.
After lunch, we worked on the boat: me cleaning the woodwork with Murphy’s soap and Bill trying again to figure out the problem with the shower sump. We had a swim and went for a long tour around the perimeter of the cove in the kayaks. The wind came up late in the afternoon and the boat bounced around a bit and then there was calm for the night.
Saturday, August 1
We set out early for a 25-mile trip back to Gore Bay with light winds from the West and South.
I sent Ray Dolphin’s details for his agent friend to sell her. We continued our cleaning and preparing the boat for sale, still debating whether to make a bid to purchase Ocean Pearl.
Sunday, August 2
Talked to Jack on Skype about our book. I called Shannon on Face Time heard about her part-time contract at Alibi where they can get reimbursed by the government for her salary, she can get a loan and about her short holiday at Sarah’s cottage in Haliburton. I then talked to Wyatt about his birthday present from us, a basketball game and he is beating the computer’s team.
Brad came over to talk about the CS36 again and advised us that we should take the propane tanks back to the Cambridge Propane company that filled them last. We can’t get them filled and have been using the small canisters in the interim.
It started to rain on the way to Mindemoya to get groceries at the big store there. The produce is very good but a little more expensive than in Gore Bay.
Our first dinner at 1890 the restaurant at The Inn at Gore Bay, only open weekends. We had a great meal with wine and a lovely waitress, Janet. She told us that she had been separated from her husband for 5 months who was in Florida and is just now about to get out. When she picks him up in Elliott Lake, they both have to quarantine for 2 weeks.
I had the lamb shank and Bill had the seafood pasta and both were excellent. When we had just finished the owner, Tammy, came around for a chat. Her husband is the chef and they moved from Toronto and love Gore Bay. We had to drive over because it was pouring rain-I even wore my rain pants.
Monday, August 3
More wind and rain all day and all night. As Bill says, A night of a thousand noises.
Tuesday, August 4.
A stormy, rainy day with high winds all day but calmer at night.
I filled out an extensive form for the details on Dolphin for Tim Dey, the yacht agent.
We worked on getting the boat ready for sale with Bill putting up some teak trim that had been removed when he repaired the ceiling. I cleaned and cleared the head, main salon and used Murphy’s soap on the teak.
We walked over to have another look at Ocean Pearl and Brad and Jill invited us to have a look at theirs and are very much devoted to their CS36. It is an 81 but the layout is much the same. Later, Jay and Kathy came and joined us. Bill Penisten came with the cut-out of the cushion for the captain’s console to make sure that it is accurate. Bill told us that the owner of Ocean Pearl has asked him to relocate it to Midland.
Wednesday, 5, 2020
The high winds continue today so since we are stuck in port, we might as well finish getting the boat ready for sale. I cleaned and cleared out the v-berth for the photos (can’t have it looking lived-in) and took photos and put the stuff back. I cleaned and cleared out the aft cabin which is our storage area and Bill shampooed the cushions that we had stored in the car; he also shampooed the canvas of the full enclosure. Once the cushions were dry, I took photos of the aft cabin and the captain’s table.
Bill varnished the foot and hand rails. I packed and loaded a wagon with stuff that is going home on the first trip.
We chatted with our neighbours, Mary and Jim, telling boat stories and reflecting on the plans for schools in September during the pandemic. Bill phoned about Ocean Pearl and it sold that day for $46,000. That puts that to rest. Ray emailed to say that we will find that sailing his Bayfield, is like sailing a smaller version of Whitestar. That sounds pretty good. I sent all the photos to Tim and we set a price of US$ 28,000.
We got provisions for our week out starting. The next day with the winds in a more reasonable 12-15 km/hr from WSW as we are going generally east.
Thursday, August 6
We headed out north past Clapperton Island, sailed all the way and dropped anchor in Bedford Harbour just outside of Cutknife Cove, alone except for the wildlife and a few distant cottages.
With the deadline of getting the ferry Thursday morning, we decided not to venture as far as Killarney in case we faced rough weather. So we read up on Whitefish Falls in the Ports Book and thought it looked interesting. Bill phoned the Forbes Resort there but did not receive an answer or call back. The book said that there were slips and fuel and power available.
There is a lovely view of the mountains and islands from this tranquil harbour.
Friday, August 7
We had a lovely sail through the Bay of Islands, a fully-buoyed channel right through the sandbar at Whitefish Falls which usually restricts boats with over six foot keels from entering. With the water levels at 4 and a half feet above normal, there were 10.5 feet of water.
We entered the harbour looking for the slips and just as we passed one on the right, a guy hollered at me what were we looking for and in response to my answer, a slip, he said, this is the only one. So Bill had to turn Dolphin around barely missing the small motor boats on the sides to get back to the public dock. Fortunately, Dave, helped us tie up as the dock was a long way down. He is the caretaker at a resort on one of the islands and stays there by himself all year round, looking after the resort for an American who uses it for his friends and family- not this year, of course.
Dave told us that there was a big storm coming on Sunday and Monday and we’d better find a safe place to be before then. We looked at the weather ad nauseum and found mixed messages. Some said there was rain but little else and others predicted thunder storms and high winds.
We went in the dinghy down the river to the Whitefish Falls where there we sunbathers and kids jumping off the rocks. We then walked down to the Hilly Acres store to pay the $10 for our slip and met John from Cambridge building a stone wall who had his summer home there.
It is pretty quiet in Whitefish Falls although the people in Forbes Resort cottages were enjoying the paddle boats and playing Texas Horseshoes.
Saturday, August 8
With the threat of storms in our future and having to be back west for Wednesday, we got up early and headed back undecided where we might go. It was very calm until we got to Bedford Harbour and the wind and waves came up quickly. While we were in the passage between Amendroz and Boirot Island, Bill put up the main sail up and we sailed most of the way to the point at Clapperton where the channel starts. We debated going into Kagawong but it is a deep harbour and it would be right into the wind. We then decided to keep going even though we were directly into the wind but the wind and waves settled down a bit.
Once we were in Gore Bay, the winds did come up again. It did rain in the evening and at night.
We finalized the contract and boat information with Tim Dey, the Yacht broker at Bridgeview Yachts, and the posting is to be up on Monday.
Sunday, August 9
With more rain coming on Monday, we decided to get the ferry on Tuesday instead of Thursday. We talked to Lee, the Marina manager, about moving our boat from C dock as the reconstruction of the docks starts on the 17th. He said that we could move to any available slip on F dock.
Because we had planned to go to Kagawong, we drove over there before lunch. It was very quiet as well. There is a small beach, a public dock, a museum and a store, all closed on Sunday.
We did an intensive clean of the stove and oven. The boat is really clean!
We went for a walk over to The Inn at Gore Bay and back.
Monday, August 10
We moved Dolphin for F dock. I cleaned the floor and head and Bill cleaned the deck and cockpit. We packed for going home.
It rained all afternoon.
Tuesday, August 11
On 1:00 ferry for Tobermory. We had lunch at the Crow’s Nest Pub and arrived home at 4:30.
Monday, August 24
We arrived in Tobermory at 11:30, had lunch at the Princess Hotel of “the best fish and chips in town” according to the waiter. They were pretty good. We arrived in Gore Bay at 4:00, picked up some ice and planned to head out in the morning. It is hot – 31 degrees.
Tuesday , August 25 East Rous Island
Much cooler today -22 C. We left at 9:00 heading east through the Clapperton Channel to East Rous Island with no wind and flat waters. We were alone in the harbour most of the afternoon and then were joined by “Three Cheers”, a trimaran, and another teal sailboat. I have a pain on my right side back above hip. There is a short shower shortly after we arrive at 12:30.
Our propane starter which is new decides to malfunction and it is only the sparks that get the propane started so that is a problem that needs solving. We’ll have to stop in Little Current.
Wednesday, August 26. East Rous
With a significant storm brewing, we debate returning to Gore Bay or going into Little Current. We listen to Roy Eaton on the Cruisers Network and he confirms that a storm is brewing with up to 25 knot winds. It is forecast to start late afternoon and continue into Thursday morning.
Having banged into the Town Docks last year, we are in no hurry to repeat that adventure, so we phoned and left a message at Spider Bay Marina to see if there is a slip for us. They call back and have one so we head there. They have showers, new docks and a lounge but poor internet except in the clubhouse. Depending on the weather, we may stay a second night.
It’s windy and cold (18). We arrive at 11:00, walk downtown, see Terry (Footloose) and chat with him. We stopped at The Anchor Inn for breakfast, visit the shops on the main street, go to the corner store across from the Anchor Inn and buy our striker. We walk the Town Docks and see Terry and Diane and chat with them.
The storm hit at 4:30 with high winds and heavy rain that lasted on and off through the night with thunder and lightning added. Still have pain in side.
Thursday, August 27 Shannon’s Birthday
A windy, cloudy morning so we had coffee, checked the weather and read in the cockpit. I messaged Dr Liz (on holiday for weekend) about the pain and she asked if I could move (yes) and if I pressed on the side and released was there pain (discomfort but not pain). She asked if I was on curcumin and I didn’t know but it may be in the most recent supplement she gave me. She checked my file through her office and I am not to take curcumin on a consistent basis and I am to let her know if the pain subsides when I stop taking it.
The high winds continue all day and night so we will stay another night in Spider Bay and head back west on Friday. Depending on the wind which is forecast to be high, on Saturday, we will anchor out on Friday night or go back to Gore Bay.
Friday, August 28
With a storm forecast for Saturday and Sunday, we headed back under sail for Gore Bay arriving just after noon. We messaged 1890 Restaurant for a reservation at 6 and they asked if we could come for 5:30. After lunch we went for a long walk as we thought it might be unlikely the next day.
Saturday, August 29
It was cloudy and cool and by dinner time it was windy and raining and continued all night and into the next morning.
My back is not as painful.
We had another great dinner at Restaurant 1890 with the same waitress, Janet, and lovely view of the harbour.
A very windy, cloudy day with a grocery run for our last cruise.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
It is still windy in the morning but gradually calms down and we left at 11:00 with a little chop but had a great sail to Fox Harbour, arriving around 2:30. There is a tug, Salty Dawg, the one we saw in Blind River quarantined because it had come from Drummond Island, another sailboat, Endless Summer, and us.
It started our sunny but became cooler and more cloudy as the day progressed.
Monday, August 31
It’s a lovely sunny day with a little wind. Endless Summer leaves having trouble with getting their anchor up and a small boat with a family of 5 flying a huge American flag come in to spend the day jumping off the rocks. They leave around 4. Another tug comes into the outer harbour but there is just us and Salty Dawg left.
We go out the needle from one side to the other of Fox Island in the kayaks, the wind blowing us out and paddling hard to get back. We stop on the way at Salty Dawg saying that we had seen him in Blind River. He says that he was not informed that he would have to stay by himself in Blind River and his wife could not join him for 2 weeks.
I lost my footing on the ladder getting back in the boat and the life jacket inflated – an unintended swim. No harm done but we will need a new cartridge.
Tuesday, September 1
As we head back to Gore Bay, it is with some sadness as this is the last sail of the season. However, we had an awesome sail back. Both the jib and main were full and we sailed without the motor much of the way until we were too close to the wind and had to bring in the jib.
We arrived in port around noon, FaceTimed with Shannon, had lunch and took down the sails, folded them on the main dock and put them in the sail bags with their lines. The inflatables, the dinghy and kayak, were deflated and put in their bags. Everything is stored in the aft cabin. I emptied cupboards into boxes and bags and put pillows in bags. When we were busy taking down the sails, a bird dumped on the dock above Bill’s head and it splattered all along the side of the boat but missed Bill!
Shannon leaves for our place in Spain.
Wednesday, September 2
A full day of packing all the gear on the boat into the car, including the plastic kayak, taking down the boom, the canvas and frame, the Lifeline and ring, the barbecue, the flags, everything stored in the aft cabin except the biminie and dodger frame and the dinghy motor. I managed to bang my head on the dodger frame hard enough to bring tears to my eyes. It certainly looks bare with no sails and canvas!
I made salmon filling for sandwiches for our dinner tomorrow so we don’t have to stop on the way.
Shannon is in our place in Spain safely!
Thursday, September 3
Dolphin hauled out at 8:30 after a pumpout as the wind built up with forecasts of up 100 km winds, rain and thunderstorms , the boat is winterized, the biminie and dodger frames stored in the V-berth along with cushions. We leave for the ferry at 11:00 wondering what the ferry ride will be like, have lunch at the pierside cafe in South Baymouth, walk around South Baymouth observing the waves crashing over the lighthouse wall and get on the 3:00 ferry for Tobermory.
Dave advised us to sit in the back of the ferry in the middle seats so we did. It was a very rocky trip with one woman very sick but we managed to keep our stomachs quiet. By 5:00 we leave Tobermory, make a salmon sandwich on the way and drive though lots of wind and rain to arrive home at 8:40, unpack the car and call it a day!
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