We had warm, sunny days when we started out... lots of sun in Smuggler Cove, Fox Island and Maude Bay. When we left our friends in MBay we headed to Westview (in sun) and then up to Lund. The smoke began to make its presence known just before we arrived in Lund and, by the next day, it was obviously moving in. Undeterred, we headed to Prideaux Haven (which became Melanie Cove by the time our hook was down... better depth for anchoring and very peaceful and calm). While the smoke was around us, it wasn't socked in and we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon, swimming in 70 degree water and drying off on the sunny foredeck. Unfortunately the next day dawned in thick smoke.
We lounged in Melanie Cove for another two days of grey. The shadowy shoreline and grey shrouded trees remind me of our trip down the west coast in fog. It was a time (and is again) when your whole world is within your visual space...what you can see...which isn't very much. I wrote a few words to try to shake off my melancholy and I ll share them with you later. We're doing better now.
We left Melanie Cove intending to head to Roscoe Bay (you know, so we could hike to Black Lake and enjoy the views). Ha! once we'd left Melanie Cove we realized the smoke was even thicker than we'd realized (couldn't see the shore, never mind the 'view') ... turned on the radar and running lights. And, we turned left (er, to port) and headed for Refuge Cove. Lots of smoke equals no sun, equals no solar panels. We're at Refuge now so we can charge up the batteries and decide what to do.
So, for those wondering what it's like cruising in smoke...here is one girl's vision.
"To say it's like visiting a parallel universe would not be an over-statement. Travelling in a constant haze with the shorelines and beautiful trees reduced to paler shadows of themselves was not the splendour of Desolation Sound we had travelled for several days to explore.
No brilliant blue skies, no vibrant green shores, and no birds swimming on the breeze. Instead, millions of moths falling from the sky, twittering of small birds in the trees but not sailing the wind currents, and silence, eerie silence, amongst the boats resting at anchor. Very little laughter or swimmers splashing about, just quietness. Even shore leave for canine crews are quiet, deliberate.
Anchored two-thirds of the way into Melanie Cove, we can barely see the boats anchored just outside the entrance; a stones throw for an A League pitcher.
Not the premier tour we had envisioned."
OK, enough said :-). life goes on and so shall we. We're safe and sound (and trying not to breathe too deeply) in Refuge Cove. Will see what the weather gods have in store for us over the next few days... before we decide where and when we will go.
Hope you are all keeping safe and well. Know you are in our thoughts. CJ
PS: the photo is Maddie offering suggestions as to where we might head...
