25 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
Yesterday, Sheila and Bernice flew into Ganges and joined me on Ancient Murrelet. Today we came into Tod Inlet, just around the corner from Butchart Gardens. We visited the gardens today and enjoyed a nice English Afternoon Tea. Tonight we plan a happy hour on Ancient Murrelet with friends, busy day.
22 Saturday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
I enjoyed walking on Sidney Spit, but because of wind and wave I had to move to Roberts Bay last evening, where I spent a quiet night.
Today I went to Portland Island, which also is a park. The trail around the island is a good 6km long, a nice walk with blackberry bushes and apple trees along the way. I am anchored in a tight little bay, amongst reefs and rocky islets, fun to explore with the paddle board.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rt5QTMWEWy4FsAM7A
20 Thursday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
I hiked 14 km yesterday in Lyall Harbour, to the top of Mount Warburton Pike, the second highest mountain in the Gulf Islands. This hill is only 400m high, so not too strenuous, but a beautiful view from the top.
Today the weather was cool with showers and I came to Sidney Spit, which is very quiet. I enjoyed a nice walk on the beach and am now using the good internet connection to catch up on a few things.
For location click here
18 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
I came into Lyall Harbour on Saturna Island today, somewhere where I had never anchored before. There is a nice pub at the ferry dock, and they have good, cold beer. Compared to the other anchorages this is not busy at all. The weather continues to be hot and sunny.
http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.797187&lon=-123.190013
17 Monday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
Sheila flew back to Vancouver this morning and I headed South. I am now anchored in Reef Harbour, between Cabbage and Tumbo Islands. This is all parks land now, though the previous owners still have residency rights. I walked around Tumbo Island. There was a failed attempt at coal mining (the shafts flooded) and apparently more successful fox raising for the fur in the 1920s and 30s. Some of the buildings are still standing, but do not look like they have been used recently. One local story is that horses were raised on Cabbage Island and then used to produce food for the foxes on Tumbo Island. Certainly more peaceful today.
http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.797437&lon=-123.092142
16 Sunday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
Sheila baked a nice apple crumble with the apples from Russell Island and today we went for lunch in Fulford Harbour. For the night we are in Annette Inlet, a short distance from Ganges. This is a nice pastoral setting, even though there are a few boats in the anchorage.
http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.825138&lon=-123.387265
15 Saturday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
We enjoyed a great dinner in Ganges, spent last night in Montague Harbour and came to Russell Island today. This afternoon we want to get some fruit from the old orchard to bake desert. The anchorage is busy, the weather is great.
http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.749720&lon=-123.411453
13 Thursday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
I came into Ganges today as Sheila came over from Vancouver. Tonight we have a reservation at one of our favourite restaurants, House Piccolo. The weather continues to be very nice and summery.
http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=48.857610&lon=-123.499655
11 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted in On the water
I came back to the boat yesterday and left Nanaimo this morning for the Gulf Islands. There is a lot of boat traffic, even though the border is still closed to pleasure craft. I am anchored in Montague Harbour, one of my favourite places, which is not as crowded as I expected from all the traffic. The day was sunny and warm, and I was going to watch the Perseides meteor shower, but this evening clouds are moving in.
04 Tuesday Aug 2020
I am back in Vancouver for a week to see Sheila and help with her mother’s move. Today we celebrated my birthday on our balcony, well socially distanced from anybody. The weather continues to be very nice and we are enjoying the summer.
