S.V. CAMBRIA: June 2013

Butedale

Thursday, June 27, 2013TheCambrians

The decision’s been made: we’re moving north. As to how far, we have absolutely no idea. All we know at this stage is that we want to transit Hiekish Narrows and enter Princess Royal Channel, one of the most scenic stretches of the Inside Passage. So that’s exactly what we did this morning. The run up the channel was as beautiful as promised – cascades, waterfalls, glacial domes...

Fiordland The Central Coast the Inside Passage

Fiordland . . . and Beyond?

Tuesday, June 25, 2013TheCambrians

Oatswish Bay in Fiordland Recreational Area We woke up Sunday morning to blue skies and sunshine, the first we’d seen in five or six days, and decided to motor up to Mussel Inlet, the western boundary of Fiordland Recreational Area. So we left Bottleneck Inlet and continued our way north up Finlayson Channel. First up was Oatswish Bay where Lizzette Falls, one of the best waterfalls along the...

The Central Coast the Inside Passage

Nothing But Northing

Saturday, June 22, 2013TheCambrians

A whale showing us its tail in Finlayson Channel Twenty, thirty and forty nautical miles. On the surface it doesn’t sound like much, but they were long days on the water – and difficult ones. It’s nice to be back in the Central Coast, but we’re here a month earlier than we were last season and it’s evident in the weather . . . and the weather patterns. ...

Fitz Hugh Sound The Central Coast the Inside Passage

Pruth Bay: Beach Hiking

Tuesday, June 18, 2013TheCambrians

One of the things I appreciate most about Pruth Bay is that there aren’t any bears on the island. Getting Sally to shore along the Central Coast is difficult because most anchorages are steep with very little shoreline for her to explore. We’ve always managed to find places to take her, but often times the “beach” is little more than a pile of rocks that are exposed at...

Fitz Hugh Sound The Central Coast the Inside Passage

Back in the "Central" Again

Sunday, June 16, 2013TheCambrians

Rounding Cape Caution

As it turned out, we stayed an extra day in Blunden Harbour waiting for better conditions for rounding Cape Caution . . . and we found them. Although we couldn’t catch a break from the current, the wind built once we passed Cape Caution from four or five knots from behind to a 10 to 15 knot beam reach – the perfect conditions for a sail. I kept waiting for David’s to start raising the main. And when he didn’t, I knew something was wrong . . . his shoulder.

It’s obviously bothering him again and he doesn’t have the confidence in it to sail right now. Truth be told, neither do I. The last thing we need is a repeat of the previous season if we want to go down the West Coast of Vancouver Island. If his shoulder isn’t strong enough, we just can’t do it. Cambria’s a wonderful boat but she carries a lot of main and it’s too much for one person to handle. It’s not hoisting it that’s the issue. It’s getting it down: It’s definitely a two-person job.

Without help from the sails, or the current for that matter, it turned out to be a very long day, and we slogged it out for 10.5 hours and 66 nautical miles – an average speed of 6.2 knots, much slower than we’re used to. To add a little salt to the wound, we saw a boat approaching our port side quarter under full sail. When they passed, we realized it was Quoddy’s Run, a couple we’d met last week in Rebecca Spit and, after a quick chat on the VHF, learned we were both headed to the same place – Pruth Bay on the northern end of Calvert Island.

Quoddy's Run getting a good sail in up Fitz Hugh Sound

Shortly after leaving the open ocean and entering Fitz Hugh Sound, the wind picked up and the clouds started to grow darker, but we made our destination in time. Not long after setting the anchor we could hear thunder rolling in the distance and could see lightening flashing nearby. Soon afterwards, it started to rain and we were quickly reminded how much water can fall here in just a short period of time. But as fast as it had begun, it ended.

And so here we are, once again, anchored in Pruth Bay – our final destination along the Central Coast last year and our first this one for year, which seems only fitting. As far as anchorages go, it’s nothing special. At the head of the bay there’s a former fishing lodge and resort that was sold four years ago and now houses the Hakai Institute. It’s what lies on the western shore of the island that we’re here to enjoy – a white, sandy beach nearly as beautiful as any you’d find in the South Pacific. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.

The Broughtons the Inside Passage

Moving Right Along

Friday, June 14, 2013TheCambrians

The weather over the last four days has been very kind to us and we were able to make it from Shoal Bay to Port McNeill, a distance of 78 nautical miles, in two days. Or we would have if we hadn't got distracted. A couple we’d met while anchored off Rebecca Spit last week was tied to the dock when we arrived in Port Harvey, our first...

Desolation Sound the Discovery Islands the Inside Passage

Favourite Places Along the Way

Monday, June 10, 2013TheCambrians

Cambria at anchor in Rebecca Spit. We all have our favourite anchorages along the way: Places we’ve visited over the years and have formed a special affection for. Places we feel at home. Rebecca Spit Marine Park on southern Quadra Island would have to be Sally's. For a dog, she has good taste. It’s a beautiful spot with a view of the Coastal Mountains from its eastern shore...

Butedale

Fiordland . . . and Beyond?

Nothing But Northing

Pruth Bay: Beach Hiking

Back in the "Central" Again

Moving Right Along

Favourite Places Along the Way

Welcome Aboard

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