unless you’re running up and pounding down through the swells of a south east wind ‘on the nose’. Now don t get me wrong; it wasn’t a vicious wind, but it was enough to keep our attention, soak our decks from time to time, and necessitate the distraction of singing loudly songs of the sea and taking turns cuddling the dog (she was warm) while the other helmed. Steering by hand was a smoother option as you can work with the waves vs. the self-steering machine that just steers the course no matter what configuration of waves is about to hammer you. It took 8 rather cold hours to make the crossing from Pender Harbour to Pages marina in Silva Bay on Gabriola Island. We are happy to be here (it’s been a long time since our last visit) and we will likely stay here for a couple days while an even stronger SE breeze blows through. We’ve studied the options and this one won. As well, it’s a chance for us to have a visit with old friends who live here. We still plan to be home by Sept 7 and our course between now and then remains in the wind. TTFN. From sunny Silva Bay…. CJ
