23rd August. Ewin Cove to Hot Springs Cove. 47
miles.
Hot Springs |
We had been watching the unsettled weather, hoping for a break
to round Estevan Point and on to Hot Spring cove. We departed at 7am hoping for
some lighter winds but as we entered the open waters the wind built to 25kts
plus with 6-7foot seas. The sails were raised we sheeted in and close hauled
our way down the coast having to beat to windward. The 32 miles rhumb line
passage turned into 47 miles and we zigzagged our way down the coast. We turned
downwind and headed for Hot Spring Cove, sailing within a 100 yards of our
anchorage spot.
Nimbus clouds forming in Young Bay |
Sunset in Young Bay. In this case not sailor's delight |
The guys on Loon were anchored in the cove as well and I went
over to see them before going on the lovely boardwalk hike to the hot springs. I
believe I was lucky in so much as the warm springs was empty and I bathed in
the hot water pools overlooking the great Pacific Ocean. Itβs a special place
but best experienced in solitude I think. I walked back to the dinghy and
counted 52 people heading to the springs. I had been lucky.
24th August. Hot Springs Cove to Young Bay. 7
miles.
Young bay wins the award for the most uncomfortable
anchorage of the trip so far. The south winds enter the harbor along with the
relentless swell. When the tide turned and the winds dropped in the night we were
beam on to the swell and we rocked from side to side for a few hours until the
wind picked up again and faced us to the swell. We looked
forward to a peaceful night.
Boardwalk to the Hot springs |
Young Bay is about 750 ft across and room for about 3-4
boats. We tucked in behind the island on the north west side and took the
dinghy to shore with the aim of taking the trail to Cecelia Lake. The trail was
very overgrown and at points along the way the trail vanished in the very dense
rainforest and was obstructed by fallen trees. We all thought it was great fun
and were all glad to stretch our legs. Unfortunately we did not get to swim in
the lake as we could not find a clear place to enter the water. We made our way
back down the trail to find that our dinghy was well down the river, still tied
to the tree but the tide had come in much higher than I had expected. I would
get my swim after all!
The weather forecasts still looked bleak, 35-40 knot winds
so we decided to stay another day. The rain came down in a great deluge, washing
the decks clean and turning the water black with dancing droplets. We dropped
the crab trap in the water and over the two days were rewarded with 2 nice Dungeness
and 4 red crabs with their large, tasty, claw meat. Yum.
The rain continued in
showers, some of which were very heavy. We hunkered down in the cabin and I read
Loamhedge out aloud. What a wonderful book.
Jude and I wrote song
for Iritβs birthday and we practiced it in hope that we might be able to record
and send it to Irit for her big birthday. What fun we had. We were in hysterics
trying to get a decent version to send.
27th August. Young Bay to Ahousat. 14 Miles.
Finally the weather broke, the rain stopped and we headed to
the small settlement of Ahousat with its dock, laundry, small store and restaurant.
We tied up at the long single dock, Native Indians came and
went in their boats, dropping people off and picking people up. Friendly and
very polite I enjoyed chatting to them. The mail plane came streaking down the
inlet between the trees and pulled up behind Sarita. We posted a couple of
letters and watched the plane whisk them away to their far flung destinations.
Linger Longer came in and anchored further up the inlet. We
joined them for supper in the restaurant, exchanged notes and opinions on
places we have visited, future destinations and the weather.
The owner of the store showed us a video of a Cougar, or
mountain lion, swimming across the inlet, jumping out of the water and running
up the dock whilst confused people on the dock ran or went for guns. Apparently
it was on the Canadian news the previous day.
28th August. Ahousat to Quait Bay. 16 miles
Again the extended forecasts look a bit wild so we looked
for a protected place to wait out the passing of the weather fronts to make our
passage to Ucluelet. Quait bay won the prize for best looking sheltered
location so off we headed past pebble lined beaches, weaving our way through
the myriad of crab traps. Speeding boats out of Tofino ferried tourists to Hot
Springs cove and whale watching tours on the coast. Clearly we are nearing
civilization after 2 months away from it. Some people might crave the hustle
and bustle of a town or city but we were all slightly disappointed as it meant
that we were nearing the end of our trip. We went through the narrow entrance
to Quait bay. The winds were extinguished and we settled into an afternoon of
driving rain hammering the decks.
29th August. Quait bay.
The weather continued to look bad so we stayed put in Quait
bay. Linger longer came in to the bay as well and they heard from Cambria
calling us on the VHF. Kirk kindly relayed our position and plans to David and
Stephanie.
No comments:
Post a Comment