Birthday Cruise: Day 1 - Tsehum Harbour to Wallace Island
Northwest 25 Kts.
Ebb tide.
Tom and I 'grubbed up' in Sidney while we awaited the arrival of Paul, Kevin and Eric. The wind continued to howl and I was somewhat apprehensive about leaving the safety of Tsehum Harbour, but the forecast was calling for winds to diminish to light after midnight and the rest of the weekend looked sunny and calm so just before 4pm, we cast off and headed out for the four hour journey to Wallace Island.
With the wind blowing from the Northwest, we rounded Portland Island and found ourselves in a heavy following sea as we set our sights on Beaver Point, Saltspring Island. The waves seamed immense but were likely 4 to 5 feet. Once we rounded Beaver point and entered Captain Passage between Saltspring and Prevost Islands we were in the lee and back to calmer waters.
The run down Trincomali Channel to Wallace Island seemed to stretch on and on. Of course by this time it was around 7pm so thoughts of hamburgers on the new Sea-B-Que were dancing through the crew's heads.
The entrance to Princess Bay is quite narrow and actually for some reason felt a lot smaller than I was anticipating. There were a half dozen boats already moored for the night when we arrived. The head of the bay was crowded so we dropped anchor closer to the mouth. When the captain of a large powerboat saw us dropping the hook, he flagged us away and told us not to anchor there. He suggested we stern tie along the Western shore of the bay. I disregarded his unsought advice and dropped the hook in the middle of the bay.
The crew had the new bar-b-que lit and the burgers on the grill seemingly before the anchor hit bottom! We all enjoyed a wonderful feast followed by libations til' midnight. I was suffering through a nasty case of stomach flu and so I was thankful for T2's head right up until the marine toilet stopped working. Fortunately it stopped AFTER a good flush.
Tom enjoys a well deserved beer while relaxing by the heater.
The crew relaxing below deck on T2 at Wallace Island.
The proud Skipper
Birthday Cruise: Day 2 - Wallace Island to Portland Island
Winds light
Flood tide
The crew was slow to muster so with the marine toilet not working, I ventured to shore to locate a pit toilet. I walked for about 15 minutes to the West side of Conover Cove. Turns out I missed the trail leading to Conover Cove and the pit toilets. There was no one at the dock in Connover Cove but I wondered about how deep the small but very protected anchorage was. I returned to T2 and a hearty breakfast prepared by Tom.
Wanting to explore the Island we all went to shore after breakfast and hiked to Conover Cove to explored the site of a former holiday resort, including several cabins one of which has been adorned with driftwood signs featuring the names of visiting boats. Dad made a sign for the cabin years ago and mom gave it to me to hang but I forgot it at home.
Next we hiked to Chivers Point at the Northern Tip of the island. It's an easy, mostly flat hike through salal with a few muddy stretches. After enjoying the morning sunshine we returned to Princess Cove and T2. Paul, Tom and Eric were enthused after spotting some nude female sunbathers lounging on a private dock across the bay. After all these years and many guy's weekends, finally the Swedish Volleyball Team had arrived!
T2 on the hook in Princess Cove with Eric and Paul in the cockpit.
Princess Cove with T2 anchored in the distance. Past the beligerant power boater.
Eric couldn't get his truck started so we had to walk.
On the trail to Conover Cove.
Kevin gazes at one of the cabins at Conover Cove. This one is covered inside and out with boat signs carved out of driftwood.
Conover Cove.
A roadsign at Conover Cove. We couldn't find Park Avenue, Valley of the Sun or the store.
Eric and Kevin returning from the dinghy dock in Princess Cove. The nude sunbathing dock is seen in the background.
How many pairs of glasses can I wear at the same time. (Hard to believe most of us are 55!) Chivers Point.
Once we were all safely aboard Trouper II, we hauled anchor and headed for Portland Island. There was virtually no wind and the sun was shining. With plenty of volunteers on the helm, I managed to relax on the fore deck for most of the journey to Portland Island. What a difference a day makes in terms of sea conditions.
We arrived at Princess Bay on Portland Island just after 5pm. Just in time for happy hour. I cooked the strip loins for dinner on my new Sea-B-Que and all agreed they were very tasty. After dinner Kevin and I watched the sun set from Pebble Beach. We all spent the evening below deck near the heater and savored the end of a perfect day on the water.
Underway from Wallace Island to Portland Island.
Paul mans the galley while the steaks are ready for the grill.
Kevin and I burn off last night's burger remains before cooking the steaks.