Cruising to Greece and back.

After sailing back from Greece to Portishead, in October 2019 Tobin Bronze was transported back to Wadswick for a major re-fit. In July 2022, TB was re-launched into Portishead Marina.

Vessel Name: Tobin Bronze
Vessel Make/Model: 35ft cold moulded plywood sloop
Hailing Port: Bristol
Crew: Peter and Judy Ward
About:
Launched in 1985. After one year sailing in the Bristol Channel, TB has been sailed for 22,500 plus miles by Peter, Judy, Charlotte, Ben and Sofie - firstly based in Dartmouth and then in South Brittany. [...]
24 October 2019 | Portishead Entrance Lock
08 June 2019
27 November 2018
30 June 2018
18 November 2017
03 July 2016 | Agmar Marine Boatyard. Partheni, Island of Leros
30 October 2015
01 October 2014 | Kilada to Orei
25 November 2013
19 July 2013
26 June 2013 | Koilada
01 December 2012
01 November 2012 | Koilada
29 September 2011

Vancouver Sailing Trip June 2011

15 June 2011 | British Columbia, Canada
PW
Wednesday 01 June 2011
For several years, john had been threatening to take Roger and me sailing on his Hunter 29 which he has a share in and keeps at Thunderbird Marina in West Vancouver.

Roger and I departed Box at 10:00hrs by bus to Heathrow Terminal 5. We had a bit of a wait as we were pretty early but if we had caught the next bus from Box, any delays would have caused problems.
The BA Boeing 747 to Vancouver was fully laden and left 1 hour late as the maintenance people had to replace a navigation light.
As we arrived there were large cheers in the immigration hall as Vancouver Canuks scored a goal in the last seconds of the first game of the Stanley Cup ice hockey play-offs against the Boston Bruins. Roger and I were met by a rather officious young immigration officer - which was a bit of a surprise as most Canadians are usually very friendly and welcoming. The weather was overcast and 16deg C.
John and Pat were waiting for us and took us for a light meal at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Very nice & a great location. We stayed the first night in a large room in Sylvia Hotel. In bed by 10pm and I was awake by 0400. Dozed on and off until 0630. Roger in his inimitable style (he can sleep anywhere, anytime!) had a good night's sleep.

Thursday 02 June
Overcast and wet. The local forecast was for heavy rain. We had planned for a cycle ride around Vancouver but John gave us a tour around Vancouver by car instead.
John's boat, Derby Lass, is a Hunter 29. It is surprising roomy, well kitted out and was ready to go.
Departed Thunderbird marina, West Vancouver at 13:00hrs.

Sailing out of Thunderbird Marina
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Thunderbird Marina: Departing.

Overcast and damp about 13 deg C. Mostly motored across Georgia Sound to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island, a very sheltered anchorage. Had to allow up to 30deg leeway because of the tide running to the south. Cold wet and overcast which was unfortunate as it was a lovely spot. Lots of flotsam and logs along the shore and in the water. Some deadheads must have been 7m long and 25cm in diameter. Definitely required a good lookout. Dinner on board.

Friday 03 June
After having breakfast disturbed by a float plane taking off, we went for a walk around Tugboat Island, belonging to the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
10:30. Up anchor in bright sunshine but it was still a bit cool. Motored through Gabriola Passage with the current of 3 knots behind us. The current can reach 8 kts at maximum flood. At 12:30hrs the wind picked up enough to allow us to sail between Norway and Mowgli Islands along the south side of Secretary Island to Wallace Island. Saw a log boom. We dropped anchor in the snug anchorage at Princess Cove on Wallace Island. Went for a walk through the pine forests and were rather intrigued at the rock formations. By 15:20hrs we weighed anchor and sailed around to Ganges where we tied up to a pontoon on the public wharf. Ganges was very busy with float planes coming and going regularly. Someone described Ganges as 90% refugee hippies and 10% millionaires. I don't think I have ever been anywhere where there were so many 65 year old men with long grey hair tied in ponytails. Their wives (girlfriend, partners, whatever) were not so much flower power as wilted granny power. An interesting place!

Saturday 4 June
We departed Ganges at 09:45hrs on a warm sunny morning. The novelty of float planes had not worn off for me and I was still snapping away with the camera whenever one came into sight. Needless to say, I ended up deleting most of the photos I took as planes make boring photos. Also trying to take photos of seals sleeping on rocks is a frustrating task and usually were crappy photos.
We caught the south going tide (up to 2.3 knots) as we dodged ferries sailing into Sidney Spit where John had organised a roundevous with one of his buddies from his Calgary days. Sailing across the shallow sandbar into the anchorage we fouled a long floating line on a crab pot. Why do stupid effing fishermen use 30 metres of floating line to mark their lobster pot in max 5 mtres of water. Luckily we were going very slowly and were able to kick the gear box out of gear before fouling the line. We let out a bit of genoa and sailed into the anchorage to let go of the anchor. Fortunately, we were able to free the line with the boat hook. John, in a fit of generosity, released the nice looking crab that was in the pot. Before long, 79 year old Bryan turned up single handed on his 29 footer, Hedgemore, and came alongside.

Hedgemore
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
79 year old Bryan single handed.

At 16:00hrs, we moved the couple of miles or so into Port Sidney, A rather swish (which also means expensive) marina. We then met up with Bryan and another of John's friends, Ivan, in the Rumrunner Inn to drink some beer and watch the second ice hockey game between Vancouver and Boston. Vancouver scored in the 10th second of overtime to win 3 - 2 and go 2 up in the best of 7 series.

Sunday 05 June
Departed Port Sidney Marina at 11:00hrs.
By 11:45hrs, we were sailing in light winds in company with Hedgemore around the bottom of Saltspit Island and heading north along the west coast.
Stopped for lunch at Musgrove Cove for an hour and then motored through Samsun Passage before finding some wind and sailing close hauled to Veservius on Saltspring Island. We tied up to the government wharf at 18:00hrs for $23.00 for the night. Bryan made some lethal martinis, Roger presented his famous risotto and John gave everyone in the cockpit a red wine shower.
Quite a memorable day.

Wine shower!
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Don't spill the wine. Throw it up in the air instead.

Monday 06 June
Another bright and sunny day found us trying to sail in light winds before giving up and motoring across Stuart Passage to Chemainus where we once again tied up to a government wharf. A walk around the town, admiring all the distinctive murals on the buildings, preceded lunch and a short sail of 3.5nM back across Stuart Passage to Thetis Island.

Murals
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Murals in Chemainus.

The evening was spent in the local bar watching Vancouver lose the third Stanley Cup play-off game.

Tuesday 07 June
Bryan and Ivan set sail south to return to Port Sidney while John showed us around the island. After visiting the holiday home John used to have on the west side of the island and dropping in on some of his old friends, we beat up Stuart Passage towards Dodds Narrows. Timing was crucial as the current runs at over 8 knots at mid tide. Slack water was at 14:45hrs and the current was still running to the south at 2 knots when we went through at 14:00hrs.

Dodds Narrows
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Follow the leader through Dodds Narrows.

We headed towards the town of Nanaimo where we picked up a buoy off the National Park on Newcastle Island. We took the 30 min ferry ride across to Nanaimo in the evening and had an enjoyable meal in a restaurant alongside the marina. It was fairly cool after sunset coming back on the little harbour ferry.

Wednesday 08 June
We walked the circumference of Newcastle Island, which took a couple of hours, before crossing over to the harbour at Nanaimo to stock up on water and provisions. We then had a great sail across Georgia Sound to the lovely harbour at Gibson's Landing, bombing along at 6 knots. The young guys off the trawler, Lucy Lu, tied up behind us gave us some big fat juicy prawns. We then trooped off to Gramma's Bar beside the harbour to watch Boston Bruins tie the play-offs 2 - 2 by thrashing Vancouver Canuks 4 to nil.

Thursday 09 June
After topping up with diesel we sailed/motored in light winds across Howe Sound to Centre Bay on Gambier Island where The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has another of their excellent outstaions on Alexander Island. The facility was deserted but we had an excellent lunch of fried prawns, courtesy of the Lucy Lu and John Q.

img src="http://www.sailblogs.com/sbgallery/pics/peterward_fastmail_fm/sbdrw256t/smt/sbjpbpde.jpg" alt="Fresh prawns for lunch" />
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Fresh prawns for lunch.

We then motored to another delightful spot at Snug Cove Marina on the east coast of Bowen Island. At dusk, we were treated to the sight of a sea otter staking out his territory on the outermost pontoon where we were tied up.

img src="http://www.sailblogs.com/sbgallery/pics/peterward_fastmail_fm/sbdrw256t/smt/sbchrgmj.jpg" alt="Snug Cove" />
Look in the Photo Album 'Vancouver Sailing' for an enlarged image.
Snug Cove.

Friday 10 June
It was still overcast and cool on our last day as we motored the few miles back to Thunderbird Bay Marina. End of passage.
Comments
Tobin Bronze's Photos - Main
Photos 1 to 3 of 3
1
Tobin Bronze going out in the 1967 Melbourne Cup.
 
1
A relaxed summer in the Bristol Channel.
11 Photos
Created 15 January 2023
A 34 year old Tobin Bronze was badly in need of an extended boat yard visit to undergo some serious maintenance.
10 Photos
Created 31 October 2022
Last leg along west coast of France, across the Channel, around Lands End and into the Bristol Channel
18 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
Last leg in the Med.
12 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
From Bonefacio up the west coast to Calvi
12 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
From Cagliari up the west coast to Strait of Bonifacio
15 Photos
Created 22 June 2021
Ragusa to Trapani including road trip to Mt Etna
46 Photos
Created 19 June 2021
Malta to Sicily May 2019
11 Photos
Created 15 May 2019
Leros to Malta. 30 Aug to 25 Sep 2018.
39 Photos
Created 19 November 2018
22 May to 19 June 2018
30 Photos
Created 29 July 2018
Sept 2017. Dodecanese Islands
20 Photos
Created 20 October 2017
Dodecanese Islands
23 Photos
Created 24 June 2017
Cruising from Orei. Evia to Leros in the Dodcanese in May, June
18 Photos
Created 30 October 2016
Launch from Orei, sail north to Thessaloniki, around the Khalkidhiki paninsula and Mt Athos to Nea Peramos.
17 Photos
Created 14 December 2015
22 Photos
Created 15 October 2014
Re-launch in Kilada to Orei, Evia in early July
16 Photos
Created 22 July 2014
13 Photos
Created 18 May 2014
A late summer cruise to the northern Cyclades
18 Photos
Created 20 January 2014
Cruise to Crete
11 Photos
Created 19 July 2013
Visits to Koilada May & june 2013
11 Photos
Created 9 June 2013
From Kalamata to the Argolic Gulf in July 2012
57 Photos
Created 12 January 2013
From Messolonghi to Kalamata May 2012
45 Photos
Created 10 January 2013
Italy to Zakinthos and Messolonghi
15 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli - three of the Aeolian Islands
30 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sardinia and Sicily Sept 2011
19 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sailing from Cartagena to Sardinia
24 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sailing TB from Faro to Cartagena in June and July 2011
64 Photos
Created 9 August 2011
Sailing on John's boat 'Derby Lass'
20 Photos
Created 6 August 2011
Delivery trip with Woody from Vigo to Lisbon when John Q. met us. Then to Ohao where Judy replaced John for a trip up the Guardina River.
41 Photos
Created 1 October 2010
June - July in the Rias Baixas, Galicia
26 Photos
Created 8 August 2010
Six days on the "Dunmow Flitch" between Braunston and Market Harborough in April 2010.
26 Photos
Created 1 June 2010
Lay up for winter in Cangas
17 Photos
Created 27 October 2009
Newport R.I.,Cuttyhunk Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
48 Photos
Created 17 September 2009
Highlights of the trip from Viveiro to Ria de Vigo.
34 Photos
Created 2 August 2009
Hugh pod of dolphins encountered 10:30hrs 04 June at approx 44º24'N; 006º32'W
18 Photos
Created 23 June 2009
Between 02 June and 04 June 2009 from La Roche Bernard to Ribadeo in Galicia, Spain
11 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 18 June 2009
Port de Foleux is about 15 miles up the Villaine River, 6 miles upstream from La Roche Bernard
4 Photos
Created 18 June 2009