We set sail for Port Sydney, going through Sansum Narrows at slack tide... the motor trip through the narrows was very picturesque and relaxing. Once through the narrows, the winds picked up nicely, allowing me to finally set my sails. The current and winds where with us... however, we wer now out on the water for 6 hours... time to take my sails down and motor directly to Port Sydney.We arrived at Port Sydney, called in requesting our slip assignment. Their docks are not well, marked so it took a bit to find the slip. Once in, tied up, looking around... sitting amongst very large yachts and mostly brand new boats.
Caroline and Hank took many walks and dinner / lunch outlings through-out the town-site. Port Sydney is "picturesque and has great ambiance" so Caroline stated. We decide to forgo going to Brentwood Marina as to the comments we hear from other boaters. By this, Caroline and Hank decide to go to Butchard Gardens by bus fro that day. From the comments I overhear, they must of had a great time... lot of walking around. 
Oh almost forgot to mention... good thing we stayed in Port, as we had a great thunder and lighting storm for two days. Sure is nice sitting in port through that storm!Caroline and Hank made some new friends "Steve and Patti Wilkins" motoring aboard "Great Escape", great couple... I overhear Hank inviting Steve to come racing sometime with us.
Port Sydney is a great place to go, but 4 nights was too long... running out of things to do.
We set sail... leaving for Maple Bay Marina This was our lunch stop going down, but now it will be our port for the night.To get to Maple Bay, we would have to back track, going through Sansum Narrows again. The Narrows has a current of 3-4 kts with overfalls and ripe tides, so we have to plan going through near slack tide. We had lots of time to get to the Narrows... leaving Port Sydney and 11:00 am... slack tide at 4:00 pm... a 5 hour sail. Only 18 miles to to the Narrows, means we need to maintain a little less than 4 knots.Here we are actually sailing with full sails, enjoying the silence of only waves slapping my hull;with little Tarkie hanging off my stern. With the great warm breeze in a full sunning day, we were sailing at 7.8 knots (2 knot current with us).... way too fast!! We would make the Narrows way too soon. With the winds directly on my stern, Hank decide to go on board reaches, gybing down to the Narrows, to take more time. As it was, we reached the Narrows one hour to soon.
I told Hank that ya... we can do it! really! ... so Hank decided to go for it. We got to the Narrows with the overfalls... lots of waves... we rode the waves out. I could really feel the current pulling at me, twisting me around.... but hey.........no problem for this old lady!
Once through the Narrows, it was clear sailing to Maple Bay Marina...
To be continued...
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