In Sidney

We came into Sidney this morning to have a battery changed and are tied up at Port Sidney Marina now. We like the little town with a very nautical atmosphere and were here a few times on Ibis as well many years ago. We plan to spend the long weekend here as the weather is a bit more unsettled in the next few days.

Back in Canada

We came back into Canada today and are tied up at a mooring buoy in Beaumont Marine Park on South Pender Island now. We also took a break from the wilderness and went into Poet´s Cove Resort for lunch.

On our way to Canada

Sheila did arrive just fine last night and we had a nice dinner on the waterfront in Friday Harbour. This morning Sheila visited the town and then we set off to Stuart Island, where we are anchored in Prevost Harbour now. It was another hot and sunny day, we went for a long hike on the island, and had a big dinner on board, and now it is time for bed. Tomorrow we cross Haro Strait and get back into Canada.

Busy island town: Friday Harbour

Another hot and sunny day, and I used the ebb tide to ride around San Juan Island. At one point I could look across Haro Strait to Cordova Bay where we lived in 2003. At the outlet of San Juan Channel were about 50 fishing boats, tough be a fish here. When coming into Friday Harbour, I had a first in terms of navigational hazards: The US Coastguard had issued a securite warning about a deer swimming across the entrance of the harbour. By the time I got there, he (supposedly had big antlers!) had made it successfully to the other side and I had no problem coming in. Tomorrow Sheila joins me again and I will wait here for her.

English Camp, Garrison Bay, San Juan Island

I left early this morning, went around the North of Orcas and San Juan Island to anchor in Garrison Bay. This was the site of the English Camp in the 19th century when both British and Americans lived on the island with unsettled ownership. There was a 12 year dispute that started in 1859 when a Hudson Bay pig (English) ate the potatoes of an American farmer, who then shot the pig. In the end, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany settled the dispute and gave the island to the Americans, and the pig remained the only casualty of this “war”. The site is a museum today and I will go this afternoon for a visit. Pictures will unfortunately have to wait as my internet connection is very slow.

Sucia Island

An early start today, there was still a little bit of fog around. Now it is nice and sunny and I am anchored in Echo Bay of Sucia Island. This is a state park with nothing on it, the shore is beautifully sculpted sandstone and I intend to kayak this afternoon.

 

Rosario Resort, Orcas Island

I have left Anacortes this morning and am now tied up to a buoy at the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. I took a two hour walk to some lakes this afternoon, now it is time for some boat work and then dinner on shore. The afternoon is beautiful and sunny and the scenery very nice.

We are on Ancient Murrelet

On Sunday we came to Anacortes and moved onto our new boat. Now we are very busy setting up and tomorrow Sheila plans to go back to Vancouver and I will then leave for the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Tonight friends from the Blue Water Rally will come by for dinner. Their sailboat just arrived from Turkey and is moored just a few places away from us. They are also very busy setting up again, so it will be good to share dinner and relax a little after all the boat work. I have put a few pictures of Ancient Murrelet on our photo page.

Boatless no more

We closed today on the purchase of our new boat, a 2005 Nordic Tug 42 which we will name  Ancient Murrelet. On Sunday we plan to go to Anacortes to take possession and then take her back to Canada. Exciting to be on a boat again!

Thanks Bonnie and Andy

We spent a few days with Bonnie and Andy at Anderson Lake and had a great time, with good food, excellent weather and Bonnie and Andy taking us out on their boat, arranging for a bear to visit us and many other great things. Thank you!