A very low tide on the evening of December 29th and a lower tide expected for the night of the 30th encouraged us to move on. After Cheerios and rehydration we pulled away from the dock at Conover cove. It was raining when we got up but we managed to wait long enough to elude it for the rest of the day. There was a good wind and within the hour we were sailing at 5-6 knots. Lyle is always pleased to have the sails up and the quiet after the steady drone of the diesel engine is always welcome. The sound of the sea lapping against the hull and the wind in the sails is much more pleasing. We traveled with Ann Aerobic through waters with lots of loose logs afloat. Ann Aerobic anchored in Pirate's Cover and we rafted up to her. The Mayhews and Lyle went walking and I opted to stay aboard, get warm and start some supper.
New Year's Eve - December 31 - and we moved the two boats to the floating dock that had been vacated by its occupants. We dinghied ashore on a blustery, rainy day and walked the trails of around DeCourcey and Pirate Cove Marine Park. It was a lovely walk through open arbutus forests. Arbutus comes in so many shapes and sizes and is such a rare tree. We are lucky to have them in such abundance in the Gulf Islands and on Vancouver Island.
Pirate's Cove Marine Park has a treasure chest placed by a yacht club, and you can add and take items as you wish. The island was once home to a religious cult called the Brothers XII, and is said to be haunted.
The strong blow was washing lots of logs ashore and by the end of the walk the rain had started again. We found shelter under some trees and shared a bag lunch - then hurried back to the shelter of the boats and hung clothes about us to dry.
We met a couple in Pirate's Cove aboard the sailing vessel Wendelin, Lodi and Steve. They have plans to sail to the Sea of Cortez in the fall also, after a trip to the Queen Charlottes. We visited with them aboard Ann Aerobic. Lodi has quite a bit of sailing experience and they have been in the Charlotte's before. She shared her recipe for pressure cooker bread. I am anxious to give it a try.
It is very nice to socialize aboard Ann Aerobic as the salon area is very spacious. It accommodated the three couples nicely and Monica had Christmas decorations up including a small tree. It was very festive.
We shared dinner with Ron and Monica and then played Rummi Kub until it was time to welcome the new year. Ron had some sparklers and we got out on the dock, cracked some champagne, lit the sparklers and wished each other the best. There were some bangs from the shore indicating a few firecrackers had been lit.
Pirate's Cove Marine Park has a treasure chest placed by a yacht club, and you can add and take items as you wish. The island was once home to a religious cult called the Brothers XII, and is said to be haunted.
The strong blow was washing lots of logs ashore and by the end of the walk the rain had started again. We found shelter under some trees and shared a bag lunch - then hurried back to the shelter of the boats and hung clothes about us to dry.
We met a couple in Pirate's Cove aboard the sailing vessel Wendelin, Lodi and Steve. They have plans to sail to the Sea of Cortez in the fall also, after a trip to the Queen Charlottes. We visited with them aboard Ann Aerobic. Lodi has quite a bit of sailing experience and they have been in the Charlotte's before. She shared her recipe for pressure cooker bread. I am anxious to give it a try.
It is very nice to socialize aboard Ann Aerobic as the salon area is very spacious. It accommodated the three couples nicely and Monica had Christmas decorations up including a small tree. It was very festive.
We shared dinner with Ron and Monica and then played Rummi Kub until it was time to welcome the new year. Ron had some sparklers and we got out on the dock, cracked some champagne, lit the sparklers and wished each other the best. There were some bangs from the shore indicating a few firecrackers had been lit.
New Year's Day dawned cold and wet!
Aleydabeth cast off her lines and we pulled away from the dock and backtracked to Dodd Narrows. The rain stayed away until we past Nanaimo, and then we had wind and waves. Gales were forecasted but they never really materialized. We got some good sail, then retreated back to the motor as the seas became choppy and the wind gusty and unpredictable. It wasn't a very comfortable ride!
By the time we reached Beachcomber we were cold and wet and ready to return to dock. We had some help from the dock to get Aleydabeth berthed as the wind kept pushing her bow back and forth. I didn't get off the boat and managed to get the bow line and the spring lines to the waiting help, and they got us safely to dock.
As Lyle was securing the remaining lines, I stepped off the boat on to a slippery dock. I went forward to check the bow line and ended up slipping right into the water! There was that moment when I knew it was inevitable that I was going in, so I hung on tight to the bow line and hit the drink expecting fierce cold and an inflating life jacket. Neither happened. The life jacket didn't depl0y and I had enough layers of clothing on that the icy water never quite penetrated except in a few spots. I managed to get a leg up on the dock and a surprised Lyle fished me out. So I start 2010 with an unexpected Polar Bear Swim! I hope I end it swimming in warm tropical water.
So we say goodbye to 2009 a year of great changes and embracing the good things of a sailing life. We look forward to 2010 and a new decade and Mexico and fair winds!
Aleydabeth cast off her lines and we pulled away from the dock and backtracked to Dodd Narrows. The rain stayed away until we past Nanaimo, and then we had wind and waves. Gales were forecasted but they never really materialized. We got some good sail, then retreated back to the motor as the seas became choppy and the wind gusty and unpredictable. It wasn't a very comfortable ride!
By the time we reached Beachcomber we were cold and wet and ready to return to dock. We had some help from the dock to get Aleydabeth berthed as the wind kept pushing her bow back and forth. I didn't get off the boat and managed to get the bow line and the spring lines to the waiting help, and they got us safely to dock.
As Lyle was securing the remaining lines, I stepped off the boat on to a slippery dock. I went forward to check the bow line and ended up slipping right into the water! There was that moment when I knew it was inevitable that I was going in, so I hung on tight to the bow line and hit the drink expecting fierce cold and an inflating life jacket. Neither happened. The life jacket didn't depl0y and I had enough layers of clothing on that the icy water never quite penetrated except in a few spots. I managed to get a leg up on the dock and a surprised Lyle fished me out. So I start 2010 with an unexpected Polar Bear Swim! I hope I end it swimming in warm tropical water.
So we say goodbye to 2009 a year of great changes and embracing the good things of a sailing life. We look forward to 2010 and a new decade and Mexico and fair winds!