July 11 - Ladysmith

Hank received an email from David Bowman, inviting us to come up to Ladysmith. Our plans were to go to Maple Bay Yacht Club, but what the hell... we're on vacation! so we booked into Ladysmith.

This would be our first visit there...

first impression: Very clean, the marina staff were extremely helpful and very friendly.
They placed us right in front of there new facilities... it looked like we had the best slip in the house.

Free coffee, Free ice water,  Free showers! (a first), lounge with fireplace, coffee shop that served great food. moorage cost $ 41.00 with power.

ring side seat - in front the their marina lodge

Shortly after our arrival, Dave and Muriel Bowman greeted us! They took Hank and Caroline to one of their favorite pubs for dinner and drinks... they highly recommend the place.

Dave and Muriel Bowman

Caroline and Hank - note Hank's lilly white legs... you can even see his bugs bites!!

After dinner, they went back to the marina to take a tour of the facilities. Lots of stuff to see... Maritime museum, long boats, and the wildlife.

Below are a few photographs of their restored ships.

one of the restored boats

typical nesting boxes... seemed to be a lot of baby martins in the nesting boxes

There were numerous BC purple martin flying around, singing their songs mid-flight. the little birds just loved sitting on my wind vane, happily they did not break it. :)

th

These little birds purple Martins, are the largest swallows in North America and feed only on flying insects. Needless to say, if the climate changes slightly, they made have a major problem.

dragon boat tours

In the evening, some of the local talent arrived and gave a great entertainment for the evening; a typical Thursday night event.

you just can't beat local talent eh! played old sailing songs to modern rock and roll songs.

there is me... Tarka... sitting right in front! :)

wide angle shot

We departed early next day... off to Port Sydney - 31 nm away... going through Samsun Narrows.

We left around 8:30 am hitting the Narrows around 11:00am and arriving at Port Sydney at 3:30 pm

It was a fairly long day... motoring most of the way (no wind), until we got through the Narrows. After the Narrows, the winds were perfect... 10 knots, and zero waves, but we were fighting a 2 knot current all the way to Port Sydney.

Next entry to come... Tarka out!

July 08 2014 - trip to Telegraph Harbour

Up bright and early to catch the slack tide! All rested up from yesterday's crossing were off!

Half way through Gabriola pass, Hank got a call from Murray... his throttle cable was stuck to full power! something came loose! Needless to say Murray was a bit excited I assume, but... no problem!, the repairs was a simple fix, a clip came off the linkage. :)

going through the pass

two very happy crew, Murray and Charlene!

 The winds down the channel was picture perfect! winds at 8 knots on our stern. This is where Murray flew his beautiful light breeze sail!

perfect sail!!!!

Morning shade cover

 Now resting at Telegraph Harbour. we found only three other club members tied to our outstation! :)

Having a great time... walks, and just kicking back. The only problem... lot of bugs. Hank got bitten at least 20 times or more; I guess they must like his new thin blood!

at dust - lots of bugs

relaxing with Charlene and Murray - planning the trips to come.

the Babe is happy!! feet on the ground at her favorite marina

inside the lodge

me

Charlene and Murry playing horseshoes.

horseshoe pits at Telegraph Harbor

leaving Telegraph

We were planning to go to Maple Bay Yacht Club, but got an email from David Bowman to join him up at Ladysmith. Sounds really good... so where off to Ladysmith... only 8 miles away.

July 05 2014 - first day of the vacation - Snug Cove

Well the time has come... another vacation trip to the Gulf Islands has started! I'm all packed up...
Water, Fuel, Food, Clothes and more clothes, my bottom scrubbed off, sails all loaded and tied down, etc etc..

The starting weather was not too great... clouds and a bit of rain. we motored over and settled down into A07, our usual spot! :) Not much to said... the usual.. dinner, walks, and just resting around.

nice day to start a vacation eh!

On Sunday, it was decided that we pick up little "Tarkie". She has been staying the Yacht Club for the winter, as it is a lot better protected from the weather. After a nice brunch at what was the Leftbank cafe.


off to Club... motored / sailed over, moored along side the dingy dock, took "Tarkie" off the rack and Caroline and Hank rowed her over to where I was docked. With "Tarkie" now tied onto my stern... we're off... back to Snug Cove.

the view outside

Caroline waiting out the rain storm, working? on her Ipad.

Morning came early, on the water at 7:30am... sailed out into our vacation. Around Passage Island (minutes away from home), we joined "Corleto" (27 ft Catalina) skippered by Murray and Charlene Titus. We will be sailing across the Strait of Georgia together.

heading out :)

GREETINGS !!! and excited crew!! :)

Corleto and crew, starting the Straits of Georgia crossing!

 Ferry traffic

Vancouver

Well we sure did sail!! the winds were very strong gusting to 20 knots and rough seas (small chop).

Picture take by Murray, reefed and 50% jib

For me (Tarka) it was no problem... first reef and 50% jib. However, for "Corleto" is was a bit more intense. She is a lot lighter and was towing their dingy. She bounced around a lot, but the crew were safe and sound, but we did see Charlene look over the side of Corleto, checking the paint job I guess. :)

The plan was to go over to Kendrick for the evening stay, but Hank and Caroline decided to go to Silva Bay with they friends. Lots of stories to tell re the crossing.

at Silva Bay

little "Tarkie" hanging on my stern

and we are off to Telegraph Harbour... at the entrance of the pass.

Nice dinner at Silva bay... the resting up for the next day... going to Telegraph Harbour.

July 05, 2014 - Leaving on our Vacation to the Gulf Islands.

Well today is the day, getting all packed up, ready for two or more weeks on the water!

So far, Caroline and Hank are still loading me up with supplies. If we are ready early enough today, the plan is to go over to the Yacht Club and pick-up little "Tarkie"; she has been waiting there for also a year, so I assume she will be glad to see us and be placed back into the water. 

Keeping you posted as we go along...

Below is our trip planner (subject to change along the way) and our route chart...

Trip planner

July 5 – Saturday  -  sail over to Snug Cove (be there around 3:00pm)

July 6 – Sunday  –  stay over the night at Snug Cove

July 07 – Monday  -  sail over to Kendrick Island outstation (outstation)

July 08 – Tuesday  -  sail over to Telegraph Harbour Marina (outstation)

July 09 – Wednesday - remain at Telegraph and bike ride to Chemainus

July 10 – Thursday - Sail over to Maple Bay Yacht Club – dinner at club or ? (250)746-4521  www.mbyc.bc.ca  (Club member)… if not go to Maple Bay Marina?

July 11 – Friday - sail to port Sidney --- Slip B15, but call on channel 66

July 12 – Sat. - remain at port Sidney – Butterfly world / Butchart Gardens

July 13 – Sunday – Trip to downtown Victoria by bus

July 14 – Monday -sail to Ganges call on channel 66

July 15 – Tuesday - remain at Ganges

July 16 – Wednesday - Sail over to Ladysmith and look around harbour, if ok call in and see if we can stay, if not sail to Telegraph.

July 17 / 18  – Thursday /Friday open to decide… Nanamio / Silva bay?

July 18 / 19 – Saturday / Sunday sail for Gibson or Snug Cove

This is route that is planned.

 Keeping you posed...

July 01 2014 - Aaron leaving for Campbell River - his new home.

Last weekend, Hank was away with Arron on "Rosa Maria"... helping them go to their new home... Campbell River!  Taking two full days to get there, logging about 8 hours per day.

It was our first sail up to Campbell River... very exciting and at the same time a bit nervous... but ended up very well.

Now Aaron and Rosa Maria are sailing in there new playground.

Aaron saying good-bye to Vancouver... hello Campbell river

Now at Maple Gardens Pub docks, resting after a great motor / sail

Hank resting

Aaron at the helm

FLAT - GLASS motoring for 8 hours to Campbell River

Rosa Maria New Home

this is it... Campbell River.

 Great Trip, learned lots... took ferry for home a day later..

Hank out!