It was a great day to travel! The trip was 68.6 NM. It took us 8 hours and 10 minutes at a speed of 8.4 knots. We arrived at 2:30. The seas were following us and built a little which kept propelling us faster even though I throttled back a couple of times. It was cold in the shade, but warm in the sun. I took a wonderful shower on the back deck as we motored along. So far we have traveled 359 NM. Following was our course today.
Kerry fed us well on our journey, bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, along with Traverse City Cherry coffee, and left over Indian Chicken with rice for lunch. We caught Brillig about 38 miles into the trip. This is how our meeting on the high seas looked.
We stopped at the gas dock on the way in for diesel and a pump out. I knew this would be a painful stop. We needed 341.3 liters of diesel. Thank goodness for the 22.6% exchange rate I got, which saved me $114. I have been using 3.3 gallons of fuel per hour, and averaging around 8.5 nautical miles per hour. Not too bad. I have been going a little faster than usual.
I docked in 2 places before we were happy with our location. I did a great job of backing around a little boat in a narrow channel, but lost all the points I earned when I jumped out of Annie with her still in reverse. Mercy! Fortunately I could reach in from the dock and shove her into forward - wait - that did not help! Finally I got her in neutral with no damage done. Kerry and Marianna hit the laundry once we were settled.
We are docked on a rather busy walkway. Fortunately I had Andy Lizak make a solid cover for our back door before we left. He used material that Rich Lobalzo gave us from his boat that burned at Parsons. It is exactly the same Sunbrella we have on Annie. We will need it tonight.
I spent a lot of time on the way over planning where we might go in the North Channel. I have some general plans now. Peter and I will meet soon to discuss the various options. They do not go further West than Meldrum Bay. We will be going much past there.
Hard to believe but we did not have time for a decent cocktail hour tonight. We had dinner at a dockside Italian restaurant, Molinari's. The lasagna Peter and I ordered would have benefited from some additional sauce, but overall the dinner was OK. Marianna and Peter were somewhat disappointed with the food based upon their prior experience.
Kerry's knee has been bothering her but she keeps on going. Her eye problem is almost gone thankfully. She has had great luck with her hibiscus plant - its been beautiful. The herbs are not doing as well. We are still looking forward to our first kayak ride.
Beautiful blue water and boat pics! Kerry, you look fantastic! Love the flowers! Safe boating!
ReplyDeleteTis Brillig here ! Kerry taught me a nifty way to fold sheets into a cool little package. My linen closet can't wait. Way cool. Thank you. ����
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had good weather for the long leg north to Tobermory. It was the leg north that I always dreaded but thinking back now I realize we always had good weather for that segment. Do your NC plans include the usual spots or do Peter and Mariana have some new spots for you to enjoy together? KIP
ReplyDeleteIf you do wander east into Georgian Bay, anchor out in Wingfield Basin (18 miles east of Tobermory). Take the dingy ashore and visit the Cabot Head Lighthouse museum. I've anchored here a few times, once in a 30+ knot blow and held fine.
ReplyDeleteLion's Head is about 20 miles south of Wingfield Basin on the east side of the Bruce Peninsula. It is a nice little port. I've hiked the entire length of the Bruce Peninsula and the section of the Bruce trail south of Lions Head is very nice. It is about a 2.5 mile hike from the docks to Lion's Head Point, which has a spectacular vista. If you are up to it, take the trail down to the beach (McKay's Harbor side trail) and back up to the bluff. It's a good workout! Eat and drink at the Lion's Head Inn.
NE across the bay from Lion's Head is many anchorage opportunities. Refer to your GLCC reports.... but, the Bustard Islands, Bad River, and French River are full of opportunities on the hook. I spent some time in fishing camps in the Bustards and Bing Inlet areas. Be careful, navigation aids are sparce. You can take the small craft channel from this area all the way to Killarney. Like most of Georgian Bay, all these areas are full of rocks which could ruin your day.
I think the reason I avoid the Georgian Bay is that no one ever writes about it without mentioning rocks. I have this thing about rocks and boats!
DeleteDon, I sent you a trail map of the Lion's Head area via email.
ReplyDelete