July 24 2014 - trip to Plumper Cove

We're off again... this time an overnight trip to Plumper Cove.

Flying only the foresail, we're off. The winds were moderate, coming from the south, this means that there will be little to none going up Howe sound, until Collingwood Channel, as we will be in the lee of Bowen Island.

The map below shows the route of sail... black line shows going out and the red line shows coming home.

my slip is on the right... Horseshoe bay, sailing to the left to Plumper Cove, located on Keats Island

We stopped by Hutt Island for a coffee break.

Making a bite to eat :)

We arrived at Plumper Cove Marine Park, to find almost the entire wharf empty. We had our pick of location. :)

the weather was perfect... not too hot or too cold.

Caroline and Hank took out the folding chairs, and sat on the dock, drink in hand, watching the world sail by.

ready for another great day at Plumper Cove.

Here is me... at rest

Just me a little peanut shell.

There were a few kayakers here as well.

Near the end of July and no one here??

Hank posing

little "Tarkie" hanging off my stern.

Sailboat grave site onsite

Caroline woke up the next day, not feeling too well. The one draw back from this dock, as it is effected by the wave action from the by-passing vehicles... a rocky stay. Caroline is a camper or marina girl. :)

The next day, we left fairly early in the morning, bound for Elliott Bay, our yacht club outstation.. for lunch.

Caroline at the helm, most of the way over to Elliott Bay! :)

I few of our destination, Howe Sound looking west

Caroline happy :)

We have reach Elliott Bay

Sitting on the Club cabin balcony

On the way home, we passed a very large yacht... only 250 Million!!

A rare site in Howe Sound...

Well that ended out overnight outing... Now resting at home, waiting for my next adventure.

I understand that I will be taking Alfred Barr out next month. :)

Till then...

Tarka out!

July 18 2014 - trip across the straits to home

This is it! going across the Georgia Strait! 20 miles of "open ocean"

leaving the dock was nice, with only a slight winds... (7:30am)

but as we passed Thraster Rock, the waves and wind really picked up...

As predicted... the winds were around 15 knot or more, plus with last night winds as well, the wave height was around 6 ft or more.

starting the crossing.

Caroline relaxed. :) ?

The winds came from the north, so we will be doing a broad reach most of the way.

Starting was a bit of concern, but half way across, the winds decreased to 10 knots or so.

A decision was made to make a lunch stop at Gibson Landing. this would give Hank and Caroline a break from the long sail over.

We arrived at 11:30 pm, docking at our usual spot... Caroline went off to find those special "flip-flops" and Hank going to lunch with Robert and Lana, Robert's girlfriend.

sitting at the hammerhead of Gibson Marina.

Around 3:00 pm... off for the home stretch... great sail all the way home!

Well so ends this year's Gulf Island vacation... now resting for my next adventure...

Hank will be making up the You-Tube videos shortly and provide the links.

Till then...

Tarka out and resting.....

July 17 2014 - trip back to Silva Bay

We are off, back to Silva bay.

It is a 17 mile trip back to Silva Bay, winds were light at the start of our trip...estimate at 5 hour sail to Gabriola pass... slack tide at 3:00pm, so we leave at 10:30am.

Captain Hank

Rear view, leaving Telegraph Harbour

With all sails raised, just round Thetis Island the winds really picked up, doing a board reach, then flying wing on wing. Needless to say, we made it to the pass in plenty of time. We had to reduce sails and also zig sag down to the pass to "kill" time. As it was we took the pass with the tide still flowing.

Sailing along Valdes Island, we noticed a beautiful sandstone cliffs...

sailing along Valdes Island coast line

 

some of the sand stones.

 We motored through the pass at 2:30 pm, a bit before slack tide, but no problem at all. Just pass the passage, Kendrick Island, on our right, we completed empty... no one from the Club was there.

We arrived at Silva bay about 1/2 hour later... Shower, and drinks were at hand.

The next day, the sail home, the winds predicted to be around 15 - 20 knots... Caroline was a bit concern, but now she is a seasoned sailor... so we're off!

July 16 - 17 2014 - resting at Telegraph Harbour...

We we are again... Telegraph Harbour.

Was we were approaching the Harbour, we noticed that the marina was very full. At first we were concerned that there would be no room for us, but to our surprise, our outstation dock was completely empty! the entire dock to ourselves. I guess this was good for us, but not good for the Club, as no one is using the dock.

The weather was very hot, but NO bugs this time!

Resting at the end of our club dock... alone!... :(

So hot, now living in a home made tent! looks like ... not the best, but works!

Nice relaxing time there... Caroline and Hank... showers, walks, etc.

The following day, we are going back to Silva Bay, the final stop before the end of the vacation. We were planning to stop over at Kendrick Bay (our outstation, but hey... no showers, no restaurant, no power...no brainner. :)


Tarka standing by...

July 16 - 17 2014 - Return Trip over to Telegraph Harbour.

Well we are off to our next port-of-call... back to Telegraph Harbor... we are now on our return voyage. The distance will be around 20 miles, so it should take around 3-5 hours, depending on the winds and currents.

leaving Ganges

great view of the coast lines.

Brunch break

We came across a flat spot on the water... a perfect place for a break. Caroline made a great eats! It is good to stop now and then along the way... time for rest and just relax and look around.

note the sleeping bag over the bimini top

With a relaxing sail back to Telegraph, we decided air out our sleeping bag and blankets as we sailed along. At the same time, they provide extra shading from the hot sun. :)

to pass the time away, Caroline loves to do the cross-word puzzles.

Stopped for a well needed coffee break.

We found it enjoyable to heave-to and stop for coffee or food breaks. No stress handling the sails while eating, just sit and relax!

While looking around, we seen a sailboat must of grounded, she was heel over sitting aground. :( I guess someone did not take how much water was underneath her while moored, or was going to clean / repair her hull.

must be cleaning her bottom, right?  ya!

now arriving at Telegraph Harbor.

Tarka standing by...

July 14 - 16, 2014 - Ganges

We all decided to sail over to Sidney Spit everyone is always talking about. Looks good, white sandy beaches... I guess this would be a nice place to anchor, but get my anchor dirty... I don't think so! So we just sailed about the area, then headed off to Ganges.

Something Hank did not take into account was the currant leaving the Spit. The current was running around 5 knots!! Plus that area the Hank chose was a bit wild... lots of small whirlpools, upheavals, making for a wild ride. Was Hank concern... a little, but my little motor kept up with the task. :)

leaving Sidney, heading out to Sidney Spit.

note the water... pulling me left and right

Going through this channel proved to be a task... I was only going 0.7 knots in places, but hey... I got through the pass.

The last leg of the trip to Ganges was super... running "wing on wing" most of the way to Ganges - going 6 plus knots.

We arrived at Ganges at late afternoon...

a picture of the little town of Ganges

Caroline and Hank explored the town, nice place, worth the visit. Lots of Arts and crafts, stores selling a lot of "home-made stuff".

The docks were well worn and in need of replacing, but worked never-the-less.

needless to say, lots of great coffee shops.

After a two day visit, it was time to say good-bye to this little town.

Need to fuel up before we leave...took about $40 to fill my tank and one 5 gallon fuel tank. ($1.69 / litre). While leaving the dock, Hank was teaching Caroline how to leave a parallel the dock without moving forward or backward. Fast learner :) Hank holds my bow on the dock, Caroline turns my rudder hard over and puts me in forward. Slowly my stern leaves the dock, then went I am far enough away from the dock, she puts me into neutral, Hank jumps aboard at the bow, and then takes over the controls. Works very well.

We've off to our next town... Telegraph Harbor (again)....

Tarka standing by...