Gore Bay July 14, 2016

Gore Bay Marina is a nice marina. The docks are great, and nice and wide. The staff is helpful too. I like staying here. The wifi is excellent here too - even on our boat! The boat across from us has a special custom figurehead to bring him luck. You don't see too many of these nowadays. One would look pretty spiffy on Tom and Sandy Vielhaber's boat I'll bet.

This sign and basket is at the end of the dock. All the sailors do their part to help out Kyle. He even got one of our jugs, a special treat for him I imagine.

Its been a pleasant day. I started the day by showering, updating the blog and defrosting the refrigerator. When it ices up it does not cool properly, and it runs all the time. So with three days of anchoring planned off the grid, I wanted it to be efficient.

We rode our bikes to the end of the bay where the light house is. It should have been open for tours, but was closed. The grass was uncut so maybe it has closed for good. It was still a pleasant ride. We talked at length to a resident who was building a wall with those wire cages you see filled with rocks. I have always been interested in how they were constructed.

On the way back we stopped at an artist community building. We toured a museum where I found this sign. I'll have to post it for Jim Karpinski when he comes to Annie.

Then it was time to visit the downtown hardware and grocery store. We had about $100 in Canadian money to spend since I think this will be the last Canadian port we will be in this trip. They have a great hardware store in Gore Bay. I wish I needed more things - just bought some stick- on hooks for Kerry and some Scotch Brite cleaning pads for me.

We found Godmother's fish and chips shop on the way home. Kerry rode ahead with the cold groceries while I waited for a take out order of whitefish and chips. So good!

On the way back to the boat I said hello to a Border Patrol Agent walking the docks. It was not long before he was at our boats. He was interested in our documentation certificate, our passports, our call in number and what we had declared. He asked about weapons and pets. He did not inspect the boat. The biggest violation he finds is people here who have been convicted of drunk driving in the states. They are barred from Canada for 10 years from the offense. It is an criminal offense here.

Kerry sent me back to the Art Community building to buy 5 Bobbsey Twins books she had seen at a book sale. I don't know if she plans to give them to the kids or sell them on e-Bay. She thinks they may have some value. I'll have to check e-Bay myself.

We have theater tickets tonight. You got a 10% discount on dockage if you bought two discounted theater tickets. We always enjoy the little Canadian community theater performances. I was lucky enough to catch this cute picture of Kerry coming back from the shower and laundry. As they say, "priceless!" She said she did attract quite a bit of attention from one group of skippers.

It was hot and sunny earlier, now it is cold and cloudy and really windy. There is a high wind warning in effect which is supposed to end this evening. Rain is forecast for tomorrow with about 10 knot north winds. We should be able to travel if that is the case. I plan to go to Vidal Bay, a beautiful anchorage about 25 NM west of here.

Cocktails were on Brillig. We were joined by another interesting couple, Arnie and Jane, that Marianna had met on Facebook, after being recommended by Roy Eaton of the Cruisers Net. They are on a two year cruise, planning to end in Bermuda for the America's Cup races. Wow! They live in Toronto.

Kerry made a special pasta salad for our last dinner together. It was a dish of three colored pasta noodles with tuna fish, parmesan cheese, mayo, dried ranch dressing and more. It was really good. Peter loves pasta so he was in heaven. While we were eating the boat suddenly rolled violently. Things went crashing off of shelves. My computer fell down the steps ( I am fortunate to be able to post this morning). Some idiot in a charter motor cat had come flying through the marina creating a huge wake. The only way out was to come back by our boat. I stood at the end of the dock and really let him know what I thought of him as he went by - much slower this time.

The play we saw called "Kindertransport" was very good. It was based on a true story of 10,000 Jewish children being evacuated to England just before World War II started. It followed one little girl's story. Very well done. And it turns out that the little girl performer works as a dock hand at the marina.

Marianna had baked a fresh blueberry pie so dessert was on Brillig after the play. Arnie and Jane joined us and brought champagne. Quite a treat.

We will leave Peter and Marianna today, and will miss them. We have had great fun together and have gotten to know them much better. They seldom travel with anyone and have enjoyed the company. We almost always travel with someone, so this next phase of the voyage will be different for us.

It will be interesting to see how our cuisine changes once we separate. Marianna bakes everyday and really produces delicious meals full of spices and exciting ingredients. Kerry has stepped up her game too from the simple meals we usually have. Peter and I have been the beneficiaries of all this cooking. I would suspect we will go back to meats on the grill with a side dish or two. I am sure Marianna will not change.

Peter wondered how much lower the bar would be if we were cruising together. I told him I will know once Jim Karpinski and I cruise together for the week that Kerry is gone.