Voyages

I've already lost track of the day of the week which is either a good sign we're relaxing into cruising mode or a bad sign of failing memory. In any case we did the 19 mile trip to Nanaimo via Dodd Narrows mostly under power. A brief reach and run under genoa alone again. With everyone absorbed in their initial unwinding and not wanting the unpredictable effects of flailing sails while fighting the current in the narrows I've been a bit lazy with getting the main and mizzen into action. With Pangolin's new engine I've become confident taking on Dodd once the current is below 2 kts as long as it's opposing. Several of the boats that passed us riding with the current seemed perilously close to a lack of control.

Secured in the busy Nanaimo Basin we headed in short order to our favourite eatery, Penny's Palapa, an easy stroll to the next dock. Tomorrow is a day to launder, provision, splash in Nanaimo's awesome aquatic centre and likely another visit or two to Penny's and then on to pick up Scott off the ferry in the morning. From there some serious cruising to explore Lasqueti, Jedediah and some Sunshine Coast en route to our rendezvous in Lund.

Our second day of wonderful sunny weather and light winds brings us again under power to the wonderfully managed municipal marina in Chemainus. Harmen does a fantastic job single handedly greeting and assisting visiting boats.

We enjoy immensely an innovative production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Chemainus Theatre Festival and make plans for a longer run to Nanaimo tomorrow.

With a departure slightly delayed by the inevitable unexpected chores of boat ownership plus light winds and contrary currents we made a leisurely passage mostly under power to Maple Bay via Sansum Narrows. A brief stint of following winds of 8 to 9 knots drives us along at 3 kts under genoa alone... not bad for a 24000 lb boat.

En route Anna (16) and Rosie (12) begin a mural re-decoration of the bulkheads in the V-berth and Anna treats us to a wonderful pasta dinner of her own invention. She and Rosie have a movie date with the 8 year old lad next to us on the docks while parents chat.

Tickets are successfully procured for tomorrow night's perfomance of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Chemainus Theatre Festival just a couple of hours north so another leisurely day in store tomorrow.

Having arrived at Pangolin last night the preparations begin for our departure on our sailing adventure for August 2011. The overall plan being:
   a leisurely trip through BC's Gulf Islands to Nanaimo where the six of us (Chele, Anna, Rosie, Lotus the Lhasa Apso furball, Zoe the Siamese Princess and myself) will be joined by Scott, the beau
   a week to explore some new destinations en route to Desolation Sound
   a week in Desolation Sound meeting up with friends and familiy
   a week to return to home port with a new crew of my little sis and bro Mary and Brian
Today and part of tomorrow will be spent in provisioning, packing and some last minute upgrades and repairs with a diversion to Victoria by land for a lovely dinner at Zambri. Salute...