August 13, 2012 - German tourist tour

Good day to my fellow readers...

Today... providing a German tourist cruise for my brother's friend Peter. Peter's granddaughter (Leslie?) and her friend (Sophia?), came over from Germany to spend some time exploring the Canadian country side. Me, Tarka, was part of that exploration. We took a slow cruise to Snug Cove, motoring and sailing a bit. The winds were light, but enough to give them a taste what sailing was all about.

Most of the trip, the girls stayed on my bow seat, taking hundreds of pictures, while Peter was behind the helm. Needless to say Hank's brother Will,  was all over  my deck taking hundreds of pictures too!

We arrived at Snug Cove to find the place was almost empty of other boaters... looks like the tourist industry here too is affected. We pulled up along slip A11, docked safety and my passengers disembarked to have a relaxing lunch at Dock Morgans.

After lunch, we sailed towards Passage Island, on the hopes that we can sail into English Bay. Unfortunately, the winds died, making passage to English Bay impossible this time. Decision was made... going back to Horseshoe Bay for a beer for the men and a walking tour for the ladies.

resting now, for my next adventure...

Tarka out!

August 24-26 2012 - Bowfest days

 Well here we are again... Hank was gone to Newfoundland for a few weeks, visiting his friends made in Fort Nelson, so not much in the way of sailing... me, just laying around my berth waiting...

As soon as he returned home, he packed me up and headed to Bowen Island, Snug Cove. This was there "Bowfest" weekend... complete with a town parade, music festival, and amusements in the park right across from the marina. By luck, we got to berth in my favorite berth "A7". the best spot in the marina.

Hank and I had an easy sail across from Horseshoe bay to Snug Cove, just flying my jib... cruising at 6 knots. Hank settled me in, got the sunshade up, cleaned up my cabin, and restock my cooler with wine, beer and cooler... waiting for Caroline to arrive my ferry that evening.

Later that evening, our friends Bruce and Linda in their Yamaha "Smokey II"; berthing right next to me.
They all went out for dinner at Miska.

The following morning... the Bowfest parade was right on time (10:30am). Great parade... prehistoric days was the theme.

Music played all day long, ending with a battle of the bands in the evening. The band "3D" was the evening closure band, having people dancing the night away. From where I was moored, I could the music as clear as crystal; good music for sure.

The following day, Hank cleaned my deck, refilled my water tank, disconnected me from the power outlet, and sailed back home. No problem except for the minor misjudgement in berthing me in my slip... wind and current was the issue.

All unload now waiting for my next outling...I hear that I will be going in the fall stag race to Silva bay and back... should be good fun!

Till then... happy sailing.

Tarka

August 03, 2012 - Worked done

Humm, Hank just installed my intake silencer! Now no one can hear me coming. Hank stated that now my engine is almost as silence as a car engine... the loudest noise is my exhaust pipe! a 100% improvement!!

additional work done today...
Hank was up the mast tower, replacing my missing jennaker shackle. My old one fell out under sail, last time out.
He also replace the engine zinc and changed my diesel filter.