Desolation Sound on Escapade

After leaving Reflection and an excellent cruise of the Southern Gulf Islands it is time to jump in the car and drive north to Campbell River catching the ferry over to Quadra Island, driving across the Island and catching the ferry to Cortez Island. A drive across Cortez has us meeting Derek and Lene in Squirrel Cove on Escapade. A night on the dock and we are off to Refuge Cove, a co-op offering almost everything the boating community needs. It is a very remote location with no roads or power.

 Rustic Refuge Cove, slowing down in September but very busy in the peak summer months.

 Social pressure was on us to 'just jump in'. Beautiful weather and the water felt perfect after being in for several minutes.

 Lene is getting Nisse ready for her trip ashore. Not sure if she is keen to go or not.

 Derek and Lene are reassuring Nisse for her trip ashore.

 Rosco Bay is a popular anchorage with access only on higher tides as the entrance has a 'bar' across it. A trail from the head of the Bay takes those seeking a swim in fresh water up to a nearby lake.

 Derek and Lene out for a swim away from the boat.

 Sunset on our last night out on Escapade before returning tomorrow afternoon to Squirrel Cove and our drive back to 'civilization'. It has been a wonderful few days and 20 years since we were in Desolation Sound.

 

Gulf Island Tour

After two nights at Poets Cove we bid farewell to Pat & Nancy and Steve & Anna. Our next stop is Ganges on Saltspring Island for a tour of the town then a short trip to Montague Harbour for the night. We missed Tom and Sheila as they are away for the weekend. Our next anchorage is Clam Bay and a dingy trip into Telegraph Harbour visiting both marina's, a trip back in history, as this was always one of our favourite destinations when sailing out of Vancouver. We would have had a bit more of a hike around the Island if Bill had remembered to bring sandles ashore! The next day heading south out of Clam Bay we arrive for our last night out in Genoa Bay. Cabbing was great with 12 caught, with four keepers. Undersize and female crabs are always returned to the sea. 

The Gulf Islands on Reflection

We join Brian and Marilyn on Reflection heading out to Poets Cove for a rendezvous with Pat & Nancy and Steve and Anna. All 3 boats are tied up to the break water just outside the marina.

 Brian and Marilyn, Reflection a Nordic Tug 42 in the background.

The breakwater with our 'garden chairs' and picnic table.

The jelly fish are looking very healthy in this area.

 It was a cool, rainy day when the 4 of us set out to collect the crab trap.

 The results were good and they will soon be in the 'pot' and ready for dinner.

The cooking of the crabs are done and we will soon be sitting down to a meal of fresh salmon and crab.

 

Pacific Border RV Lobster Fest

Every year at about this time Gaston and Sally have a day of games and lobster flown in from Nova Scotia. All the guests bring their pot luck specials to complete the feast.
The day starts with a golf game followed by elimination games of Botchie Ball and ladder golf.

 After dinner the winning teams received jackets, hats or shirts with the rest of us getting consolation prizes.

Nick and Laura travelling East

An exciting day for Nick and Laura as they left Victoria yesterday, car packed to the limits, on their way to Halifax. The sun still hasn't risen when they are fully packed and on the road by 6 AM.

Lily and cousins visit.

Lunch with Bea, Fran. & Grant and Ruth with a visit by Lily, her proud parents Daryl & Alexis and Nancey and her Mum May.

Flooding on Dutchess

3 AM was not a good start to the day! Ruth woke us to tell us that the floor and carpet were covered in water and the toilet overflowing. The next few days were spent drying out. A carpet cleaner pulled the excess water out of the carpet and loaned us a large fan, water was removed from the ceiling of the basement storage area and sucked dry by a shop vac. The final drying out was accomplished by running a dehumidifier for several days. Note the pantry  has been removed to dry out.

All has returned to normal after a week or so.