Victoria

From Sydney Spit it is about twenty five miles to Victoria's inner harbour. So here we tied up in front of the Empress Hotel and got on with all the decadent pleasures that the city offered. I did get to meet up with my old friend Wayne. If all goes well this morning, I will pick up my new passport which they magically put together overnight.

Today after I pick up my passport we will head back to Sydney Spit overnight and then cross into the United States and the beautiful San Juan Islands. 

More Sydney Spit

Sydney Spit

After leaving Maple Bay we were able to sail through Sansun Narrows. The wind swirled around from multiple directions but generally pushed us South. We motored past the busy marinas near Schwartz Bay and Sydney and then crossed the channel out to Sydney Spit.
What a gorgeous place.

Maple Bay

 Maple Bay was our next destination.

We wanted to visit with our old neighbours, Maurice and Judy. I had a new windlass delivered to Maurice and he kindly helped me with the installation.

We visited Maurice and Judy's home which is located close to the Kinsol Trestle. 

The weather looks great for the next three or four days. We will be heading south towards Victoria, we think. 

Portland (Princess Margaret) Island, a tiny perfect paradise

The weather was grim when we left Winter Cove...another in a series of blustery rainy days in the forecast. Based on a couple recommendations we decided that Royal Cove on Portland Island would a protected anchorage in messy weather

 

so away we went...and eventually the sun came out.

We had the entire island to ourselves for 2 relaxing days, walked all the trails, and decided that the place really was a small bit of paradise unbelievably close to an urban centre and the Schwartz bay ferry terminal.

I  enjoyed looking at the ground almost as much as looking at the scenery

More to follow later from Boris who is slaving away on the installation of the new windlass. Y

Winter Cove and Portland Island

It was time to take a break from the pleasures of Ganges Harbour. On the spur of the moment we decided to head for Winter Cove on Saturna Island. It is a big open anchorage with a small cut on the East side that dumps into Georgia Strait. The weather had deteriorated on route. For the last five miles we had to bash into fifteen knots of contrary wind. Once inside things were infinitely calmer and we quickly hopped into the dinghy to go for a walk in the beautiful Marine Park which encircles the South East shore.

The next morning we were rewarded with ten knots of South wind that whisked us down Plumper Sound to Swanson Channel. This is the main thoroughfare for a slew of ferries. As soon as I see one materialize out of the murk, we alter course dramatically to ensure they understand out intentions. So far so good.Once again we were bashing into the seas under motor. We turned on the navigation lights as it almost turned dark with intense black rain clouds. For a while we could not see Portland Island which was three miles off in the distance.  Then miraculously the rain eased and the sun came out and we arrived at our destination, Royal Cove on Portland Island.
So here we sit in the rain waiting out some nasty weather.  We have walked every trail on the island.  Another miracle, we have this whole wondrous island park to ourselves.  Somewhere it is gusting to 35 knots but here in out tight little anchorage we are as comfortable as you can be in the pouring rain. The odd ferry wake makes it in here, but not enough to be a nuisance