Around Vancouver Island 2013

Day 19 - July 23, 2013 Tuesday

Though we find Columbia Cove to be most safisfactory, today it is time to move on. We aren't going very far, but must continue our way southeast down the west coast of Vancouver Island.

As our journey today wasn't far, we didn't have to get up too early. By 8:00 we were having coffee and breakfast on the deck. The sun was up and shining and the day was fresh and new. All was quiet in our anchorage. As Moe was bringing James back up onto the davits, he noticed a lone eagle standing on the shore in a kelp patch, as the tide was out. I watched him for awhile and he didn't seem to be doing much. He would tilt his head every now and then and look around, otherwise he just stood in the kelp patch. Then without notice he flew away into a tree. Curious!

With James properly loaded, it was time to bring up the anchor and away we went. The sky was blue, the sea was calm as could be as we headed across to the Bunsby Islands. I've heard nothing but good about these islands and was intrigued how it could possibly be better than Columbia Cove. Our trip to the islands was uneventful. We navigated our way through the big and little rocks with ease. This first mate never had one moment of doubt or fear. Small steps they say.

We did notice that 'Porpoise' was coming up behind us and expected that they were following our lead and we would meet them in what Dreamspeaker refers to as 'Scow Bay'. I checked the Sailing Directions make no mention of Scow Bay, but do say that the Bunsbys should not be navigated without local knowledge. I thank Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones for providing us local knowledge in the Dreamspeaker books!

As we were following the track I created on our chart plotter, we noticed that 'Porpoise' had chosen to go into Battle Bay rather than follow us here. I'm sure we will meet up with them again along the way. Besides, we must, as we do owe them drinks on the deck of Reborn. I did hail them a time or two, but did not receive a reply.

As we came into Scow Bay we could see that we had the place to ourselves. We found a good spot well into the bay and dropped the hook. It set quite nicely in the mud. Here we were, all by ourselves! We felt that we had been dropped smack dab in the middle of paradise. There is no civilisation around us. Instead of motors, we hear bird song and they do like to sing! We hear the rustle of the breeze through the trees and the very gentle lapping of the water along the rocky shores. I suppose I should give the horseflies their due. They came to greet us right away, as we have become accustomed to them doing, buzzing around and being their annoying selves. As soon as possible, we demonstrated our superiority and sent out our usual threat. One dead horsefly tossed into the sea as a sacrifice. Unfortunately, the other horseflies don't get it. They still keep coming to check us out.

Moe tended to his chores (more boat maintenance) as I looked after my personal grooming. I felt rather guilty sitting on the deck looking after me while he did some really dirty work looking after us.

With the chores out of the way, I made some lunch for us. We're really learning to use up all our leftovers in creative ways. There are no corner stores here for something you think you must have. I made some grilled cheese and leftover pork sandwiches with onion. Quite delicious! Not long after we heard 'Witte Raaf' on the radio with another boat. Witte Raaf was going to Columbia Cove and the other boat was coming to the Bunsbys. Once their conversation was done we hailed 'Witte Raaf' and had a short conversation, hoping to connect again sometime along our journey.

I did mention the peaceful, quietness of this place and our solitary enjoyment of it. With the sun shining and no one around, it was time for some nude sunbathing. Of course, I suspected that we might eventually get some company, but one must take advantage of a situation when one can. I'm not sure how long we lay in the peace and quiet, but suddenly I noticed a different sound. I popped my head up and there, nearing our stern was another boat. Time to become civilized again!

As they were anchoring, Moe and I put James into the water. We thought this would be a good time to check out the lagoon mentioned in Dreamspeaker. Once we were in the dinghy, we rowed over to the newcomers to say hello. As it turned out we had met the skipper of 'Nimue' in Winter Harbour. He was cruising with his first mate and another boat that is being single handed by a lone woman. Good on her! We left them and made our way to the lagoon.

Again, we were met with absolute silence (except for the bird song) and pristine untouched beauty. Moe spotted a few deer carefully watching us from shore, but otherwise there were no other creatures other than ourselves. It was like rowing down a lazy summer river as we cruised among the small islands. We decided to name the three island that we rowed around for our three granddaughters. So, to us, there is the Keira, the Kailyn and the Kailey. Can we make it official?

After a brief interlude on shore, we got back into our dinghy and floated back to Reborn. The most numerous creatures we have seen in the water, next to many, many small fish, are the large, orange jelly fish. In this bay, and even in Columbia Cove, they are numerous and quite close to the surface. i noticed them closer and more numerous here. It is very cool to see such a large jelly doing his jelly thing as we floated by.

Upon our return, we thought the best thing to do with the rest of the afternoon would be to while it away doing as little as possible. Moe set up the hammock and I climbed in. Before long, I was dozing to the sweet bird songs and the gentle breeze. Moe chose to read his book. As I was dozing and thinking, I thought about the (for me) arduous journey we made to get here. I'm telling you, being here in this place at this moment, was worth all the reefs, rocks, tide rips, bars and capes that we had to conquer to get here.

Eventually our tummies started talking. It was time to get dinner on. As there was a little more leftover pork loin, we decided to thread it onto some skewers with vegetables and have shish-ke-bobs. They were yummy!

Shortly after dinner, our cove companions on 'Nimue' started pulling up their anchor chain just as the lone crew from 'TS Farley' was rowing over in her dinghy. We talked to them and learned that the big rock in the cove was just off their stern! It was time to move. Up went the anchor and within minutes they were secure in a safer spot. 'TS Farley' rowed over and we were pleased to meet Vivian. She's amazing! She has been sailing only for three years and here she is rounding Vancouver Island. I have absolute respect for this woman. We extended an invitation for her and the crew from 'Nimue' to come over for a visit after they finished their dinner.

As they ate and we relaxed, we were hailed by 'Porpoise'. They are on their way in as well! We shall be in good company this evening.

Wanda and CA from 'Nimue' joined Vivian on our boat for some wine and some sailor talk around 7:00. We had a wonderful time discussing our trip and learning about each other. They retired to their boats around 9:00 and we settled in for a good sleep in such a peaceful, quiet piece of paradise.