A little catch up

• We were storm stayed in our anchorage off Campbell River for a day. When we did leave it was in 30 to 35 knots. There was a little calm oasis as we went through Seymour Narrows. Then we hoisted a double reefed mainsail and surfed along. We were on the verge of catching up to and passing a tug and barge when a blast of wind almost put us on our side. Not being set up for storm force winds we were forced to take down the sails. Later the wind moderated and we continued sailing down to our anchorage for that night, Blenkinsop Bay.
• Next morning at 0400 am we left in the dark. And what should we see immediately, is a tug and barge crossing in front of us. All went well and we made it to Port Mcneill, where again we were storm stayed a day.
• The next day we got out into Queen Charlotte Strait.We were sailing along making great progress when we heard a May Day call and it was from a boat that was within sight about five miles away. This boat was taking on water and had several feet over the floorboards . He was working on the problem and continued to steam towards Port Hardy. We altered course and sailed towards him. I was fantasizing about rescuing the crew while under sail. Unfortunately the rescue boat from Port Hardy beat us to the scene. We resumed course to our anchorage just South of Cape Caution. 
• Another early start in the dark and we managed to get around the notorious Cape in six swell tossed hours and arrived in Fury Cove. What a great anchorage with white beaches and a view of Fitz Hugh Sound and the open Pacific ocean to the west.

• The next day without paying attention to the weather forecast we headed out into the sound. We were pummeled by 20-25 knot winds and swell . After three or four hours of pounding into it we gave up and found shelter in Kwakume Inlet. Here we spent the day being entertained by all the ducks feasting on herring roe. Later a first nations fisherman dropped by and suggested a better anchorage around the corner. He also knew some people Glenn knew in Klemtu. He also explained how the whole herring roe fishery worked.

Surf Scoters

Common Loon eating dungeness crab

Harvesting the sea

• The next day we mostly motored our way to Bella bella where we resupplied with fuel, groceries water and beer. We had about 15 miles of sailing on a beam reach before we headed into Reid Passage and our anchorage for the night. 
• We motored to Klemtu the next morning. Glenn wanted to look up someone he knew from his time there. Glenn and Kathy were married there many years ago. We walked up to the grocery store and lo and behold the person we were looking for was standing at the cash register. Glenn had a brief visit , we had ghastly chinese food and then we resumed our cruise.

• That brought us to the end of the relatively warm cruising days. From here on until today it has been rainy and bone numbing cold.