You can just see the entrance in the picture--around the corner, to the left. There is a big rock at the outer entrance that onshore waves break on.

It was calm and peaceful when I entered Newport Harbor, as the sun was setting. The entrance opened up into a beautiful, totally protected harbor, lined with rocks and some cottages. A great place to sleep soundly at anchor, which I did.



My first anchorage this trip wasn't nearly so peaceful. I didn't need to anchor--I could have stayed at the dock I was at a few miles away, but I wanted to test out my anchoring system, after so long with the boat having been stored ashore. The anchorage was protected from three directions, and had a little sand on top of rock, about 20m down. The winds were very light, and forecast to stay that way, but every time they shifted, the boat swung around the anchor, and the chain dragged across the rock bottom loudly. It was an adequate anchorage for the conditions, but not a quiet, peaceful place.

Yesterday, a friend mentioned being a (stand-up) paddleboard instructor.

It reminded me that I had once taken paddleboard lessons in Mexico.

By mistake.


I was staying overnight in La Paz before flying to New York the next day.

I had met up with some couchsurfers, and we were in a bar, talking about beach volleyball.

My Spanish at the time was really bad, and I didn't understand that the conversation had changed to taking paddleboarding lessons. When I was asked if I wanted to sign up, I immediately said yes, thinking I was signing up for beach volleyball, on the general principle of
Just Say Yes.

The next morning, people started changing into their swimsuits and I began to realize that I'd signed up for paddleboarding lessons, not beach volleyball!

I left my wallet and passport with the paddleboard company, and really hoped to be able to learn paddleboarding without falling in the water, as I was wearing my only pair of short pants, which I would also be wearing on the plane that afternoon.

I didn't manage to avoid falling in, but I learned to paddleboard!
And by the time I got on the plane, the shorts had mostly dried, and the dampness of the shorts as I sat in my seat just reminded me of how much fun I'd had because I'd
Just Said Yes.

After my plans to sail to Greenland this summer fell thru due to lockdowns, I decided to do more work on the boat while it was conveniently ashore. One thing led to another, and by the time I launched, it was the end of August. But it was great to be back at sea!

Rover is the name of the plant in the picture. My grandmother had this plant, which she gave to my aunt. I was given three leaves from this plant, in a ziploc bag, with instructions to keep it moist and plant it in some soil.

I knew nothing about plants--this was the first plant that I'd ever had, and I was determined to not kill it. So I asked lots of people what kind of plant it was (I didn't know), and how to look after it. I was given soil and fertilizer to feed it, and lots of instructions. I was so determined to look after it that I'd take it on deck whenever it was sunny, and bring it below at night or when it was cold. Seeing how I looked after the plant, Sarah (who did the artwork on the plant box) started calling it Rover, as she said I was walking the plant like I'd walk a dog.

So, Rover has traveled thousands of miles on Issuma, as well as on buses, cars and planes, and is still growing (slowly).

Now that I'm sailing again (more about that later), Rover also has returned to sea.

The story of sailing to cold, remote Baffin Island in Northern Canada on Issuma. This is Part 1, there are more to follow.

After many months away, I returned to Issuma in Newfoundland, yesterday. This was the view from the cockpit.

Since Issuma is a high-latitude expedition boat, she carries a snow shovel. Unfortunately, the shovel was inside, and the snow was blocking the door :) .

Fortunately, I had left a scrap piece of wood in the cockpit (just visible to the left of the door), so shoveled enough snow with that to allow me to open the door far enough to get the shovel from down below.

Sailboats in winter can be so interesting :)

After many months away, I returned to Issuma in Newfoundland, yesterday. The wind was howling and it was still snowing.

This is a story from my past about survival on the Alaskan tundra after losing my kayak in the Bering Sea.

If you enjoy the video, please Like and/or Comment on it on YouTube.

This Wednesday evening I'm giving a free presentation on sailing in wild, remote, Patagonia at Whitby Yacht Club, on Gordon Street in Whitby (Ontario, Canada).

Optional BBQ dinner starts at 6PM (cost is $4, and please bring a plate/knife/fork and a salad or dessert to share).

The presentation starts at 7PM and runs for about an hour, including questions.

You are invited!
If you'd like to come, please let me know.

I'm presenting at the Toronto Boat Show this week and weekend:
Fri. Jan 24th @ 3:30pm (Salon 107) - "Sailing to Antarctica"

Sat. Jan 25th @ 12pm (Presentation Theatre)- "How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream"

Sun. Jan 26th @ 2pm (Presentation Theatre) - "Sailing to Antarctica


Next week, on Wednesday, January 29, I'm making two presentations: At noon, for the Shellbacks Club, meeting at Royal Canadian Yacht Club, 75 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto, I'll be talking about Sailing to Newfoundland.


On Wednesday evening, I'll be presenting Sailing to Mexico & Easter Island at Whitby Yacht Club, dinner ($4, plus bring a salad or dessert) starts at 6PM, presentation starts about 7:10PM).

All these presentations are open to the public. Please email me if you have any questions.

I am presenting at the Toronto Boat Show this weekend, next week, and the following weekend.

I'm doing two presentations, Sailing to Antarctica, and How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream.

If you're in the Toronto area, the boat show is definitely worth going to. It is at the Enercare Centre at the Canadian National Exhibition.

My presentation schedule is below, in addition, there are many other presenters, with a full schedule available on the Toronto Boat Show website

Sat. Jan 18th @ 3:00pm (Salon 108) - "Sailing to Antarctica"

Sun. Jan 19th @ 11am (Salon 108) - "How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream"

Mon. Jan 20th @ 1:30pm (Salon 107) - "Sailing to Antarctica"

Tues. Jan 21st @ 4pm (Presentation Theatre) - "How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream"

Wed. Jan 22nd @ 2pm (Presentation Theatre) - "Sailing to Antarctica"

Thurs. Jan 23rd @ 1pm (Presentation Theatre) - "How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream"

Fri. Jan 24th @ 3:30pm (Salon 107) - "Sailing to Antarctica"

Sat. Jan 25th @ 12pm (Presentation Theatre)- "How to Achieve Your Cruising Dream"

Sun. Jan 26th @ 2pm (Presentation Theatre) - "Sailing to Antarctica