Vancouver Island Cruise 2011

May 21st  Lagoon Point  

 

Our cruise started with a “rapture” party with our wonderful SWYC friends Kathy and Bob Rodgers at their house on Lagoon Point. As it was officially the ‘end of the world day” we thought it would be most auspicisious to start a voyage with an unknown desitination. During our celebrations a lethal looking helicopter approached and we thought we were doomed by conspiracy, however, as we cheered and waved it sheered off. 

May 22^nd     Lagoon Pt to Sidney Spit BC 42 miles

Departure day  Hmmm! everything seems the same; grey skies, light drizzle and I forgot my tooth brush. We departed at 0800 to catch the tide. With Derbra and Russ Ernest on board we circled past the Rodgers house, they were on the dock and we gave a hearty toot of the horn and off we went. Lagoon Pt has been good to us this winter and we hope to return but Pat still does not like the entrance that spits you our over a very shallow bar at right angles into a forceful 3 knot tide. We must have done something right in our earlier lives because the wind was from the south east and on the quarter. We had a cracking sail averaging 5.2 knots; catching a favourable current  down Juan de Fuca Strait to the end of Whidbey Islabnd and up Haro Channel. It was so good we decided to press on to Sidney Spit and anchored for the night after a solid forty two miles of effortless sailing. We  capped the day with too much Scotch, excellent Minnestroni and Strawberry rhubarb pie

My 23^rd Sidney to Montague Island 18 miles

“Debra” OMG! Can’t   believe it! fabulous weather conditions, fine food good booze and fun company.”

Departed Sidney Spit at 0906 and motored over to the Port of Sidney  and cleared  Customs, who as usual, were charming and efficient. Shopping in Sidney was a wash out as it was Victoria Day and the place was virtually shut down. However, two Starbucks outlets within the first quarter of a mile showed progress ( of a sort) The marina was superberb but over priced and not very welcoming. Perhaps our boat was not big enough?

We departed Sidney Marina at 1145 on a bright sunny and clear day and motored over to Montague State Park, which is a beautiful anchorage. We arrived at 1600 and  the tide was very low so we anchored  on the North side in 10ft. The island lived up to expectations. The tide was out so  we walked around the island foraging fo oysters, but typically without tools or a bucket!. We eventually found them concentrated in one spot, but they did not give up without a fight and were very securely cemented to the rocks. The could only be pried loose with a ‘whack’ from a sturdy piece of driftwood. These guys are huge, 5 to 8 inches. We assembled a pile and Russ used his sweatshirt as a carrier bag. Back on Nokomis it was a question of brute force and no finesse. Screwdriver, hammer, big leather gloves and a cutting board, One holds the other whacks.. Russ downed a couple, but they a bit too strong for my taste. We panfried the rest  with breadcrumbs and enjoyed “oyster steaks” During dinner the girls asked “ did we see the notice”  we replied “what  notice? “ the one that specifically prohibits removing any natural obeject from the beach!” 

Oops!