Sea Cruise 2020, Day 1
I left Cadboro Bay at the crack of 10:30. First stop during Sea Cruise 2020, was Oak Bay Marina to take on fuel, water and ice. She only drank twenty five litres, which was a little surprising since I hadn't fueled up since my last trip, last summer. But then again, since the engine wasn't pushing T2, I mostly sailed off and on the mooring.
There was not a lot of wind so motored to Bedwel Harbour, South Pender Island. I had the flood tide with me and a clean bottom so I made very good time. Check out that 10 Knt top speed! WOW!
I took Skully throuh the 'cut' between North and South Pender. Not much on the other side, other than a beautiful sand bar that the locals seem to enjoy.
I had dinner at the pub then back to the boat. Went to bed early.
Sea Cruise 2020. Day 2, Part 1
I slept in and had zero motivation. I could have left early and hooked up with Tom on his boat in Ganges Harbour but the tide was against me until 11:30 so,
fuck him. Instead I enjoyed coffee, bacon and eggs. Once the dishes were done, I pulled up anchor and headed for Ganges. I needed a few things at the store despite the fact that I would miss Tom.
On the way there, I hugged Pender Island after exiting Bedwell Harbour and was treated to an amazing nature program. Ravens, eagles, seals. Fish jumping, eagles hunting. Breathtaking really. Is that how you spell breathtaking? Looks weird.
Lunch at Oystercatcher Bar and Grill, Saltspring. Had their 'famous' clam chowder and a cold beer. After lunch I hit Thrifty Foods for a few essentials. Such as flour, eggs and breadcrumbs for my greatly anticipated oyster feed. Next stop is Ruxton Island.
Ganges Harbour has a lot of boats at anchor. Not a great harbour during a South wind. After grubbing up and taking on refreshments, I hopped back in Skully and was soon under way again. This time to my overnight destination, Galiano Island.
Sea Cruise 2020. Day 2, Part 2
I threw down my hook across the beach from Montague. Amazing spot. It was windy from the South in Montague but dead calm on this side. Never stayed here with Mom and Dad. Always on the other side.
I have spotty (1 bar) cell phone coverage here so not sure about work tomorrow. Oh well, if push comes to shove, I can always take vacation time.
So that catches me up so far on Sea Cruise 2020. Time to prepare my Ahi tuna and salad dinner.
Turns out I murdered my tuna. The only spice I have on board, other than seasoned salt, salt and pepper, is Montreal steak spice. Don't use it on tuna. Lesson learned.
Montague Harbour
Montague Harbour.
Not Montague Harbour. (I was anchored in the the Northern Bay, adjacent to Montague Harbour.) I got up late, had coffee and then worked for UVic for a couple of hours. It's amazing what you can do with only 1 bar of cell service. Unfortunately my laptop battery only lasts a couple of hours so I had to run the engine for 3/4 hour to charge up. I went to shore and walked to the general store at the Marina in Montague. It seems they are Covid paranoid. They moved their general store down to the gas dock. They had also posted a number of signs;
- Stay out
- Closed
- Go Away
- We hate off islanders.
Brutal. Decided to head to Ruxton on my way North. I was there once before on Sea Jay, our Thunderbird back in the day. I remember shucking oysters from the rocks. You couldn't take a step without stepping on an oyster. Can't wait to see what it looks like after all these years. So, after getting back from my walk, I had lunch and then took Skully to Montague for a block of ice. Then, I was on my way. Motoring up Trincomale channel with a following sea and a South wind. I was travelling with the tide so made good time. I dropped anchor in Herring Bay. The wind turned and came from the North which was NOT in the forecast. It was quite lumpy all night but T2 held fast and all was well until the wind finally dropped to zero and then it was so quiet. All you could hear were ravens.
Ruxton Island
Herring Bay Ruxton Island. A beautiful spot indeed. There were only three other boats in the bay when I arrived and they all left this morning. I was alone in paradise. Didn't last long as another boat dropped anchor while I was below preparing breakfast. Even though the wind subsided, it was cool so I lit a fire in the wood stove and fell asleep for an hour or so.
I awoke before low tide at 1300 hrs. Made breakfast and was soon travelling to the South Island per recommendation from DFO. In short order I had collected a dozen oysters for dinner. I tried to get clams but my extensive excavation revealed only a handful of the tasty critters. I abandoned the clams and brought my oysters home. Dinner tonight.
And so, while I did manage to get my fill of oysters, it was a far cry from the way I remember it 40 years ago. But then again, what isn't a far cry from four decades past?
In returning to T2, I completed a circumnavigation of Ruxton Island. There are many homes on this Island and few beaches. So while it's tranquil and silent, it's not suited for a long stay. I plan to leave tomorrow for my exciting transit of Dodd's Narrows and a few days at Newcastle Island.
Tonight? Dinner and bed. The life of a drunken sailor.
The highlight of the trip for me was fresh oysters. As it turns out, I only had one feed. In retrospect I should have just stayed there and got fat on Ruxton oysters. Out of an abundance of caution I struck up a conversation thread with a Biologist at D.F.O.
From: doug thomson <letsrock [at] shaw.ca>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 2:13 PM
To: PAC CSSP / PCAM PAC (DFO/MPO) <DFO.PAC.CSSP-PCAM.PAC.MPO [at] dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Subject: Ruxton Island oysters
Hi!
I’m heading to Ruxton Island in Trincomale Channel here in B.C. If I eat the oysters there, will I die?
Thanks
Dt
Sent from my hardened biohazard bunker.
The risk is higher on the North side - closed for biotoxins - the South Side Subarea 14-4 is open for littleneck and Manila clams, mussels and oysters.
There was a plankton bloom in Departure Bay - not a big one but enough to close around Mudge Island and Pylades Channel.
Stuart Channel and Tricomali Channels are still Open - Subareas 17-4 and 17-3
Dan Clark, Shellfish Management Biologist Dan.Clark [at] dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Cell 250-668-0700
Sea Cruise 2020. Day 4 & 5
I left Herring Bay about an hour-and-a-half before the flood tide, which placed me entering Dodd's Narrows at slack tide.
"SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE, 34 foot sailing vessel with a light blue hull, entering Dodd's Narrows Northbound"
That's what you're supposed to say on your radio so you don't run into a tug pulling a massive log boom or such.
So my first transit of the narrows went fine. And it wasn't long before I had snagged one of many available mooring buoys at Newcastle.
Time for a late lunch and libation at the Dinghy Dock Pub followed by a walk around the campsites. And that's about it for my two nights at Newcastle.
Oh, I did take Skully to Nanaimo a couple of times for 'provisions'. I had dinner the second night at Gina's Mexican Cafe. That was nice.
But, by now I was ready for home.
Sea Cruise 2020. Day 6
Sky was grey, wind was calm. Slack tide (or damn close) for Dodd's Narrows.
I snuggled up to shore on the East side of Birdseye Cove. It's deep. So I had to get close to shore to drop the hook.
I kept worryinig about drifting and going up on the shore because it was only about 50 feet away.
As it turns out, I needn't worry. I almost couldn't free the anchor upon departure.
Sea Cruise 2020. Day 7
I never left the boat. Arrived yesterday at noon and left this morning just after 6 as Sea Cruise 2020 continues. I was done (for some reason).
The voyage home was uneventful. Scattered showers, moderately rough in Haro Strait.
Check out the video of my trip.
Sea Cruise 2020 from School of TLC on Vimeo.
