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...

July 11 - 2014 - Port Sydney, B.C.,

Motoring towards Samsun Narrows....

leaving Ladysmith, with "Tarkie" hanging on my stern

what ahead... flat waters

had to wait for the ferry to cross our bow.

 We have arrived at Port Sydney...

entrance to the harbour

taken of my stern

 Caroline was very tired of the trip down and was very happy to have her feet on the ground.

Hank entry into our slip (B15) was his best yet! Our slip is directly infront of the marina office, the Rummer Runners Pub, and the main entry to the docks...

One of the most important things coming into a slip is PLANNING... before, not during, the docking. Know what you should do. Well Hank planned (I think), but things happen...

While coming into the slip on a starboard tie, Tarkie was still hanging from my stern. That added an additional 12 ft to my boat length. When Hank began to make the turn into the slip, Tarkie hit the boat across from my slip... now he could not make the turn and was heading straight towards his port-side neighboring boat. The mad dash was on to prevent an accidental ramming. While running forward (barefoot!) to fend off, Hank tripped over the jib sheet, getting his toes caught in the sheet. Major rope burn! He did save a collison. but now I was sitting angled in my slip. A neighboring boat came to help and held onto my mid-ship. Hank jumped off onto the extremely hot concrete... now Hank has burnt feet as well... hoping around he did finally manage to tie my up properly. Oh ya... I also ran into the electrical plug in box... no damage.

I am sure the entire pub customers had a great show!... Well Hank is off for a well deserved beer...

stern view overlooking the marina lodge and Rum Runner's Pub

Boat parking lot

Even though we were in a boat parking lot, it was peaceful and relaxing... a good way to meet fellow boaters. Everyone is so happy with lots of stories to tell.

Besides the usual... walks, dinner, drinks, shopping around the town of Sidney, Caroline and Hank took a day trip... going to downtown Victoria via the bus.

In Victoria, my sister-ship was there... see picture below. we have lots in common, ie we sail, love the water, keep our guest happy and entertained. She is a bit bigger, but at least I am paid for.:)

jib sheet winches.

Victoria Harbor

lots going on at the waterfront.

lots of nice places to go.

They took the bus back to Sidney, going on the scenic route.

The next morning it is off to Ganges... left the dock without incident. The winds were moderate, so it should be a great sail...

Tarka now standing by.

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!