Prideaux Haven

I am in the heart of Desolation Sound now, anchored in Prideaux Haven. I spent the afternoon in the kayak and for a long time watched a young blackbear eating oysters at low tide. I noticed that it was sniffing the oyster carefully and only eating a few selected ones. When I was in the Harmony Islands, I ate about 40 oysters one sunny afternoon, and had a bit of an upset stomach and intestines the next morning. I had thought it was because I just ate too many, but maybe bears know more about oysters than I do? Unfortunately, I did not have my phone with me when I encountered the bear, so all you get is yet another picture of the beautiful scenery on another sunny day.

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Toba Wilderness Marina

After some nice hikes in Roscoe Bay I came into Toba Inlet today. The marina has changed over the years, but now there are nice docks and great walks to viewpoints.

Roscoe Bay, West Redonda Island

Just another short hop today, to Roscoe Bay on West Redonda Island. As on Cortes, there are a couple of nice hikes here and the weather is still ideal for that. There are two other boats in here, very quiet.

Squirrel Cove

After my short and nice stay in Okeover, I came into Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island today. This island has a wolves problem and a few years ago I saw a pack on the beach shown in the picture. I am the only boat in the bay, very unusual as this is a very popular place. That much more reason to keep a close eye on those wolves.

Okeover Landing

I came into "town" today after quiet days in the idyllic anchorage. Not much of a town, a small harbour, about 5 houses, but a well known restaurant, the Laughing Oyster. Lunch was so good, I am going back for dinner.

Susan Islets

I moved on today, just around the corner and am anchored behind the Susan Islets where Theodosia Inlet branches off Lancelot Inlet, still in Desolation Sound Marine Park. Not much here, and certainly no Susan.

Desolation Sound

After a few very enjoyable days in the Harmony Islands, spent kayacking, paddle boarding and talking to the other occasional yachties stopping by, I moved on today. It was a rather long day, with a stop at Savary Island where I had never been. I took a long walk up and down the island and then went on to the Copeland Islands. Very pretty, but the best spots to anchor were already taken. Now I am in Grace Harbour, anchored at one of my favourite spots anywhere, in front of a steep, west facing cliff face, secured with a shore tie. I like this place because I can enjoy a wonderful sunset, and then the stone face radiates off the heat of the day for the evening.

Harmony Islands, Hotham Sound

I left Pender Harbour quite early this morning and continued north. I stopped for a visit at Harry Roberts’ cabin on Cape Cockburn for a visit as I had never been there before. Harry Roberts (1884-1979) was an important character in the development of the Sunshine Coast and is credited with inventing the name, though he blamed his grandmother for it. He built the cabin in 1938 and it is open today (see my picture below), situated on land that is owned by BC Hydro, the local power company, and managed by a caretaker family. Very interesting and a beautiful spot he named Sunray and he raised three children there.

Now I am anchored in the Harmony Islands Park, nobody else around. It is rather picturesque and there is a large waterfall close by. Unfortunately, my hunting was less successful as both the prawn and crab trap came up empty, and fishing by line is prohibited in this area. By the time I had figured out that the oysters here are safe to eat, the tide had come in far enough to cover a nice bed I had seen earlier. Well, there always is tomorrow. As I was sitting in the evening sun with a beer to console myself, waiting for my meat to defrost, a big blackbear came foraging to a beach near by and I watched that for 20 minutes. Very nice. And dinner was good too,

Pender Harbour

I came into Pender Harbour today to do three things: Shop for the next week, hike out to Francis Point and have lunch in the Grasshopper Pub. The Pub was destroyed in a fire five years ago and it took a few years to rebuild. It is a steep climb uphill from their dock, but the views from there are great. The picture is looking over to Garden Bay, where I am anchored. I am happy to report that the lunch was good and all else was accomplished as well.

Secret Cove

I enjoyed Smuggler Cove, and my mother is doing well. Today I anchored during the day in Buccaneer Bay between South and North Thormanby Islands. There is a nice sandy beach there and I took a long walk at low tide. The bay is only ok in some winds, and as the wind is going to shift tonight, I moved into Secret Cove Marina. This is a cute little place, not much going on yet.