We slipped our marina Sunday morning and headed up through Dodd Narrows to Newcastle Island, just off Nanaimo. After a rainy overnight we left early Monday morning and crossed the Strait. Had a lovely sail for the first half of the crossing and then motored up to Smuggler Cove where we were able to anchor and shore tie at a spot we'd eyeballed last time we were here.
You won't likely remember the last time we were here, but we will never forget. It was on dear Shannon and we had anchored in the small cove in back of the main anchorage. The winds blew like stink that night, our shore line proved too light and the boat started to veer back and forth as she slowly began to whip the anchor out of its secure location. Did I mention? It was midnight, pitch black, with the wind howling through the shrouds and the two other boats in the Cove hadn't turned their anchor lights on... we had to go by memory. As well, the tide was so low we couldn't leave the small bay and there was a shoal right across from us. Anyway, we ended up breaking all the rules.
Yup, we managed to retrieve our shore line and anchor and, going by memory of where the two boats had been, we moved down to the head of the bay, dropped the anchor while going forward, it dug in, the boat swung around with her nose into the wind, and there we were, anchored on a lee shore with the wind howling down on us. And then the biggest and brightest full moon I've ever seen, crept up from behind the trees, lighting up the scene like a theatre stage. It was amazing. We sat up for the rest of the night, nestled under our knee blankets. Kathy watched the depth sounder as the bottom was within inches of our keel and I watched our swing and the anchor set. What a night that was... but we survived and we learned a few things too. We now have a much larger and stronger shore line for one. That was the last time we'd been here; so it's nice to have had a good experience this time. Guess maybe we'll come back again :-)
Today we are heading up to one of our favourite anchorages behind Fox Island on Hardy Island. We'll hang out there for several days enjoying an anchorage protected from the NW. At least that's the plan for now...remember, all plans are made in the sand, just below the high water mark.
Hope you are all well and staying safe. In case you're interested, I now have a couple websites along with this blog. (www.cjdaley.ca and www.ruddyduckpress.ca )
The photo is out our 'back door' looking out the gap towards the Strait.
TTFN. CJ
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