Sailing West
Another perfect day of sun, breeze, and salt water, on British Columbia’s Georgia Strait. (06August2012)
“The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea.”
– Isak Dinesen
“… sweat, tears, or the sea.” Sailing provides all three.
I love being on the water. And – even with the sweat, tears, and frustrations – being on the water under sail is even better.
I’m not a particularly good sailor. That is in no small part because I don’t get onto the water often enough. Sorting back through photo-files on external drives reminded me that it has been two years since my husband and I were last out on Graystone, an old 38-foot Hughes sloop that berths in Nanaimo, BC.
Nanaimo sits on the east coast of Vancouver Island: almost due west across the busy Georgia Strait from Vancouver, and an easy northwest sail to the Sechelt Peninsula and its “Sunshine Coast” (see also: “Messing About in Boats”).
We were thrilled to get some fair winds on our last trip out into the bays, across the straits and through the BC waterways.
Summer Colours
A lime-green boat tied up at Stones Marina contrasts with the green trees of Newcastle Island in the background. (31Juy2012)
Harbour Air DHC-3 Incoming!
Newcastle Island Passage between Nanaimo and nearby Newcastle Island is a busy place, with boats and seaplanes coming and going all the time. (01August2012)
Dragon-Boat Bras
Every year, Newcastle Island Passage is home to a Dragonboat Festival. A local group of breast-cancer survivors are regular winners, and have a celebratory “totem” in the middle of the channel. (01September2012)
Snake Island
There are plenty of obstacles to avoid as you make your way through Departure Bay. (03August2012)
Sheets and Tackle
The sails are up, – (03August2012)
Sails and Rails
– the wind catches, and the sun shines. Perfect weather! (30August2012)
Entrance Island
Entrance Island has a manned light station – and is a popular spot for harbour seals and Steller’s sea lions. (31August2012)
The Sunshine Coast
Across the Georgia Strait, the mainland comes into view. (03August2012)
Sloop and Dinghy
We are not the only sailboat making our way across the Malaspina Strait at the north end of the Sechelt Peninsula. (04August2012)
Ketch
A double-masted schooner takes advantage of the steady breeze coming into Pender Harbour. (04August2012)
Motor Boat
Because of the bays and coves in the area, Pender Harbour has over sixty kilometres of shoreline and is a haven for summer cottages and boats. (04August2012)
Full Sail on Pender Harbour
(04August2012)
Thistle
One of the pleasures of sailing, for me, is coming ashore in new locations. This was our first stop at the Government Wharf on Pender Harbour: in the charming community of Madeira Park. (04August2012)
“Do Not Trespass”
It shouldn’t need to be said, should it? (04August2012)
Totem Pole
Madeira Park is part of what was Coast Salish Indian territory – although very few remain in the area. (04August2012)
Crab Buckets
Boats of all kinds dock on the Government wharf. (04August2012)
Selling Crabs
Fishing boats mean fresh, straight-from-the-ocean, seafood. (04August2012)
Sea Plane
A Beaver DHC-2 stops at the wharf to drop off passengers. (04August2012)
Ruby Lake
As evening approaches, we head out to one of our favourite restaurants – just a short drive away from the wharf – on the beautiful Ruby Lake. (04August2012)
Malaspina Strait
There is still snow on the distant mountains as we take the boat out for another beautiful day on the waters. (05August2012)
Canadian Flag
The flag whips out behind us as we race west across the Georgia Strait back to Nanaimo. (06August2012)
East Cardinal Marker
The marker buoy signals our return to Departure Bay. (06August2012)
Gull with a Starfish
A seagull enjoys part of a starfish as we tie up the boat. (06August2012)
Nightfall
It’s beautifully quiet on the marina. Now that we are safely moored at “home”, we share a glass of wine as the sun goes down. (31August2012)
We had it easy: our saltwater included no tears: only sun and sweat, good winds and calm seas. A cure for anything indeed.
Until next time ~
Safe Sailing!
Pictures: Various, July-August2012
[…] had already been out sailing several days on Graystone, a comfortable 38-foot Hughes (On the Straits and Narrows (Part 1)), so we had our sea legs. Even so, traversing the 60-metre-wide Dodd Narrows had me nervous. Timing […]