Day 16 July 8^th 2013

Well after waking in our wavy NE anchorage of Bell Cove, we head over to Mosquito Cove for better shelter.  Today is a work day.  It is the first day we spend at anchor by ourselves when we weren’t sailing 12 hours to get north to our home sailing grounds.  Order of business was to get to some of the tasks that were further down on the list.

Julie continues to be the “assistant” to the blue jobs.  Julie decided to tackle cleaning the dodger and bimini canvas so that a coat of rain repellent could be applied as it leaked like a sieve on the only day of rain we have had.  Well the scrubbing stopped once the scrub brush went through the dodger.  Upon looking at the areas scrubbed the fabric was disintegrating.  All cleaning of the canvas stopped immediately.  The rain repellent was applied to dirty canvas.  Oh well!  We were hoping the canvas would last until Annapolis but for sure we need to get it replaced in the next month.  Hopefully we can find a reputable company near Sarnia to do it while we are in Newfoundland.  The one company recommended is busy and booked for those 2 weeks.  Darn!  Perhaps Port Huron.

One concern about living on the boat was “staying in shape”.  Both of us wondered how we would achieve this.  Today I realized that maybe the cardio needs a bit of encouragement, but burning calories and staying active is no problem.  Little things like manually grinding the coffee, priming our water system with about 400 foot pumps, then after scrubbing the dinghy for about 30 minutes, we bailed it with the suction bailer which worked our arms and keeps us moving much more than our office jobs did.  Forgot to mention we chose to row over to the beach to clean the dinghy and row back.  After getting back to the main boat Julie applied protector to the dinghy, then scrubbed one of the princess chairs.  Dawson continued to try to solve the plumbing issue.  Our pump kicks on when it shouldn’t because there is a small leak in the line somewhere.  It is annoying.

Had the day been a bit sunnier, we would have fit in some swimming exercises too.  Alas it was a fabulous overcast workday, but not a swim tempting day like the past week.

All in all, a fabulous day.  Dawson broke even on his plumbing task: fixed the prime he lost while trying to locate the leak which was not found.  Julie did not, and will not be able to fix  the dodger, but the dinghy is clean now as is one of the princess chairs.  Next chair gets tackled tomorrow along with a new bunch of tasks.  (second coat of rain repellent, sourcing out a slip for the boat while we are in NL, polish all the stainless and chrome on the boat, measure and mark the anchor chain, figure out the rigging on the assymetrical sail, rig the halyards so they don’t clang at night.... the list goes on).

Cheers Julie and Dawson

 

Day 15 July 7^th

Well up very early today to weigh anchor so we can get from Marianne’s cove to Little Current to watch Ross run in the 1500m semi final at the World University Games.  Our plan is to use the wifi at the Anchor Inn Restaurant.  There is no puff of wind anywhere, so we turn on the iron Genny.  On the bright side we will charge our batteries.  After only 2.5 hours we are at the 9:00 swing bridge with 10 minutes to spare.  Soon after we are on the wall safely tied at Little Current.  Besides watching Ross run, we have garbage to off load, laundry to do, groceries to get and some internet administration to do.  We are planning to spend the entire day on the wall and head out to a cove for the night.

Laundry facilities are handy and available and soon we will have clean everything.  Enroute to the Anchor Inn we bump into Patti and Doug Wilkin and Doug’s mom who lives in Little Current.  We dine on breakfast together and have a wonderful catch up visit.  Doug produces Maple syrup and has promised to bring us a can next weekend.  Blueberry pancakes will be on  our menus as the wild blueberries are starting to ripen.  We hang out in the bar area that is closed for an extra hour to watch the race which is exciting.  After 3 heats, Ross has qualified for the finals in 2 days.  We are so darn proud of him.  The rest of the day feels like we should celebrate not do administrative work.  We do get a bit accomplished as Lianne let’s us use the LCYC office and it is air conditioned and has a table and chairs to get comfortable on.  The internet is not the greatest and it is frustrating filling out forms and downloading information we need.  It takes 2 hours to get our race entry forms completed, and the Dept. of  Transport registration forms saved.  Finally we are done and decide to go in hunt of friends that have boated in as it is the end of the Weekend warriors weekend.  They must go to work.

We caught up with Rod and Donna, Brian and Karina, Al and Georgette, but Dreamweaver was not yet in port.  We also looked for DesLoges but did not see their boat.  So far we have managed to catch up with lots of our boating buddies.  Our month in the north channel is quickly evaporating though so we need to hookup when we can.

Time to head out to our anchorage as it is now early evening and we are aiming to get to Bell Cove about an hour and a half sail away.  The winds are from the south so a lovely sail up the Waubuno Channel.  The winds are supposed to be light and variable so Bell Cove should offer sufficient shelter.....wrong!  Winds swing to the northeast and are about 10 knots so the boat swings and sways during the night.  Julie can’t sleep as the halyards are clanging and she envisions the anchor dragging and ending up on the rocks.  Alway’s a bummer when the wind directions and strength are not anticipated.  We have a very good anchoring system, so no need to worry. 

Cheers Julie and Dawson

Day 14 Saturday, July 6th

Day 14 Saturday July 6, More birthdays

^{Today is Ruth Patrick and Roma’s (Julie’s mom) birthday.}

^{What a beautiful morning in Marianne’s Cove.  It is warm as soon as we wake up so Julie swims over to the Trevisiol’s boat to coordinate plans for the day.  Dawson would like to climb Fraser Mountain, Gary wants to dinghy into McGregor Bay.  Julie and Beth want to do both, so both it is.}

Morning shot in Marianne's Cove

^{Dawson is busy tuning up the outboard.  Changing spark plugs and cleaning fuel filters.  After an hour or so it is back together and the test drive is underway.  We have fresh gasoline instead of the prior years gas running through it so that should help also.  Engine is definitely running better, but not perfect.  Perhaps a tune up when we get to Gore Bay.  We pack a picnic lunch and are on our way to McGregor Bay.  We all pile into Gary and Beth’s dinghy as it is a long dinghy ride for our small boat.  We have never really explored McGregor Bay.  We head over to Lafarge’s load out.  Deep water there for the freighters to come in.  Next stop is Horseshoe Bay to see if Wiseman’s are around and sure enough Terry and Brenda are at the dock on their runabout which is under repairs by Terry.  (Outboards are a pain)!  Great seeing Terry and Brenda and the rest of the Wiseman clan as we don’t see them too often now that the kids don’t play on sports teams together.  After a chin wag we are off again and stop at 1 tree island for a swim and our picnic lunch.  The water is refreshing.  Summer is finally here and it is wonderful.  We continue on weaving our way around islands and shoals.  Gary and Dawson are navigating with the chart while Beth and Julie are on Bow watch looking for light colored water and unusual wave patterns.  We successfully get back to our liveaboard boats and do a quick turnaround to hiking mode.}

Baie Finn and McGregor Bay in the background

^{Fraser hike is the tallest of the Lacloche hills and annually we like to climb to the top for the fabulous view out to Georgian Bay, Fraser Bay, Baie Finn and McGregor Bay.  It is a bit hazy today, but still a fabulous view.  Beth holds Fraser Hill dear to her heart.  There are memorials at the top of a couple who used to do the Fraser hike and Beth would also like to put a memorial to Michael at the top as Michael and all the kids would scrabble to the top annually for many years.}

Dawson, Julie and Beth at the top of Fraser Mountain

^{It is now almost dinner time, but another swim is needed to cool off before getting to the business of dinner.  Beth and Gary are joining us on our boat.  They are always such gracious hosts and we are overdue being the hosts.  Whitefish and smoked fish appetizer from Herbert’s in Killarney is on our menu.  Herbert’s is quite famous as a destination for fish and chips.}

^{Another wonderful night swinging on the hook.  Early to bed though as we have an early start tomorrow.}

Day 13 July 5th - good bye to Paul and Diana

Day 13  Friday July 5^th

^{We woke up today in Thomas Bay to another beautiful day.  We enjoyed a morning swim  then headed off for a dinghy ride and hike.  Unfortunately our outboard engine was not in agreement to cooperate.  We got only about 800 meters and the engine got fussy.  After many pulls at the starter cord we got about 300 metres back toward the mainship and stopped at an island to explore, having decided we best not continue on any further away from the sailboat.  A bald eagle made an appearance for a brief fly by.  Other than that a frog and a snake (red belly) and that was it.  We had to row our way back to Jazzebelle (ship still has original name).  Everyone but Julie took a turn so we got our exercise for the day.}

^{It was now time to start thinking about weighing anchor and return our guest to Killarney.  We were only about an hour away but it would be after 3 b y the time we got into the town so off we went.  Unfortunately there was not wind for a sail, so the iron genny did the job.  A quick good bye, a trip to lcbo, and the grocers to buy milk, drop off our trash and we were off again.  We had a 3 hour trip to get to Marianne’s cove up Baie Finn to meet up with Trevisiol’s and Chabot’s.  We had an excellent sail across Fraser Bay and then ghosted our way undersail up Baie Finn to the cove.  It was just beautiful.  We swung on the hook for the night,.  This anchorage is well sheltered.  There were about 10 boats in the cove.  We went over to say a hello  to our friends after we had a relaxing G&T, which is fast becoming our favourite drink, in honour of our Turkish sailing trip.}

^{Cheers Julie and Dawson}

Marianne's Cove

Day 12 July 4h - a day of birthdays

Day 12 July 4^th – a day of birthdays

July 4^th is Ross’s 21^st birthday and is the day that we chose to celebrate Diana’s birthday which is how the title got selected.

Ross is celebrating his birthday in Kazan Russia where he will be running the 1500 m in the World University Games.  It has been a couple of years since we have been able to celebrate Ross birthday in person with his running, last year he was in Mexico.  We did get a reply to our happy birthday wishes we sent to him.  His birthday started promptly at 7 am when he was woken for a random drug test, part of the benefits of being an elite runner.

Back in the North Channel we decided to leave Covered Portage of a new anchorage, Thomas Bay.  Thomas is a lovely small cove about 5 miles south east of Killarney we have spent a number of wonderful days there in the past.  It is also the place where our friends first saw Jazzabelle and got Glenn’s contact info which ultimately lead to our purchase of her.  We decide to take the long route to Thomas Bay to allow us to sail.  We have an excellent sail down the Lansdowne in light winds and then head up into the wind for a 1.5 hour motor over to Thomas, a small price to pay for the 3 hours of peaceful sailing. 

It is just after 3 when we arrive at Thomas to see 2 other boats at anchor.  We drop the hook, spend some time to make sure we are secure and then it is into the water.  Due to Thomas shallow nature it is noticeable warmer then Covered Portage.   Paul figures it is about the temperature they keep their pool back in Port Credit. 

As we are to celebrate Diana’s 50^th birthday Julie has decided that she will bake Diana a cake.  Julie however opts for cupcakes so twelve cupcakes are mixed and baked in the galley, the first of much baking to take place.  While the baking is taking place Dawson hooks up our Sirrus Radio (satellite radio) so that we can now enjoy the Coffee House and CBC radio on our trip south.  The radio was a present from Kevin and Ross for father day. 

During one of our swims the boat is over flown by 2 Sandhill Crane one busy clacking for their mate.  They are large bird to see flying above your head. Dawson quickly looks at his bird guide but already has the Sandhill crane ticked off.  Paul also sees a Great Blue Heron and a look at the guide shows this still available for checking but Dawson does not see it so it is left for another day.  Dawson plans on keeping track of his bird sightings along the voyage in a copy of Roger Tory Peterson – Eastern Birds guide book

Once the baking is done we sit down to another excellent meal in paradise complete with candles in the cupcakes and bubbly.

Once the meal is over it is clean up time another swim and nice relaxing evening before bed.

 

Cheers

Dawson and Julie

Paul and the birthday girl (woman)

Diana c/w crown pouring bubbly

Dawson with the birthday cupcakes

Diana making an important wish

Paul and Dawson washing up

Day 11, July 3rd - Covered Portage

Blog day 11 – Covered Portage

Once again we awake to a beautiful day; as a matter of fact it is so nice we decide to spend the day right where we are.  The day will prove to be a simple one. Breakfast – Swim – Hike – Swim – Lunch – Swim – Dingy Ride – Dinner – Swim.

The water temperature is excellent. Cool to be refreshing but warm enough to allow you to stay in for awhile.  We all have a swim and then we head off for the hike to the cliffs overlooking our anchorage.   This is a hike that we have done many times but affords some excellent views along with some photo opportunities.  We can see that it is going to be an excellent season for blueberries in about two week’s time.  All the bushes we see are full with green berries which will make picking fun shortly.  Once back to the boat it is time for another swim.  We have rigged our hammock chair and Diana has been quite taken with it.

We have a visit from our neighbour boat Scapin out of Sarnia.  They paddle over in their inflatable kayaks, we are looking for something similar so Julie takes one for a paddle and is suitably impressed.  They are from West Marine so we will have to keep our eyes open for a store.   Just before dinner time Guy and Cherylynn arrived so a quick dingy ride over to say how do and back to the boat for dinner.

Guy, Chery lynn, and friends join us on the boat for an evening drink and tour of our home.

 Cheers

Dawson and Julie

The start of a beutiful day - Covered Portage

Hike to over look Covered Portage

Overlooking Covered Portage

Looking East to Killarney

Jazzabelle at Anchor

Diana in the hammock chair

Day 10 July 2nd - Our first overnight guest

Day 10, July 2 – Diana and Paul’s visit, our first overnight guest

We made an early start to the day as we had things to do and places to go.  We upped anchor from East Rous by 6:30 am with plans to be in Little Current for the store openings.  We even went without our morning coffee with the plan to have a cup from the Locos, the local coffee shop.  Unfortunately the coffee proved not to be as good as our own brew.  Julie was up at the grocers to see the door open while I proceeded to the local hardware store to source some bolts for the boat.  No luck on my part but Julie was able to get everything we need in the way of food. 

We were off the town dock to catch the swing bridge and on our way to Killarney, The winds were light but we did manage to get some sailing in as we crossed the North Channel towards Lansdowne Channel.  The Lansdowne Channel is a beautiful narrow channel running along the Fraser Peninsula.  The channel is very well marked with quartzite hills running along the back of Fraser Peninsula.  At the end of the channel is a quartzite mine on Badgeley Island which has been in operation since the 50’s.    We arrive at our destination just before 2:00pm, and dock at the Sportsman’s Lodge to take on water and a pump out (emptying the waste water holding tank).  The Sportsman’s Lodge is an old resort that recently has undergone an extensive restoration, complete with martini bar.  It is beautiful facility but one has to wonder how it will make money as the season is only 2 months long for the boating and the snow mobiling has fallen off considerably over the last 10 years.  Time will tell.

Just after we finish with the water tanks our friends Gilles and Denise arrive.  It is good to see them and we proceed to check out each other’s boats as we both have new boats since we had last boated with them 3 years ago.

At 3 o’clock our guests Diana and Paul arrive, we have the obligatory fish and chips at Herbert’s fishery, an old school bus which serves fresh whitefish fresh.  The fish was good but the highlight of the meal was watching 2 river otters fish in and around Herbert’s dock.  A young fisherman reported that there is a family of 4 which come quite frequently.  This is a rare sight and speaks well of how the wild life is returning to this part of the world.

From Killarney we do the short hop over to the anchorage know as Covered Portage, which is about 1.5 miles north of Killarney.  One of the highlights here is a rock outcrop know as Indian Head.  When viewed from the right angle it gives an excellent profile of an Indian.  It is always a pleasure to show it as you never think you will see it but then it just comes right out and is quite a surprise for the first time viewer.  We anchor have a swim, an excellent meal and our night cap and we our off to bed.

 

Cheers

Dawson and Julie

Cormorant at LC

LC swing bridge - again

Gil, Denise and Julie at the world famous Herbert's Fish and Chips

River otter in Killarnry

Julie, Diana and Paul at Herbert's

Diana, Pual and Dawson at Covered Portage