St peters canal and bra dor Lakes

Not too much of a lay in today, a fair few miles to do to get across to Cape Breton and the Bra D’or lakes, first we have to navigate the exit through the narrow entrance of the cove down wind through the lobster pots and miles of rope through the next narrow and more pots and head out. Luckily no fog today so we can see the pots and ropes clearly. Once out all the sails up and a fair down wind sail all the way solid 20kt breeze just what the old girl likes. (Morvenna that is). A few gybes and a few fishing boat encounters later we are heading into the Narrowing entrance to St Peter’s lock, our gateway to the inland water of Bra Dor. The lakes are in fact the sea although a bit brackish so the fish within them are quite varied from sea fish to fresh water. After having been through the Crinan and the Caledonian Canal systems this trip the lock in was a bit underwhelming although super nice lock keeper as always, Again we are the only boat. And the 148 foot lock does not noticeably move up or down. Before the other gate is opened and we are ready to move on. ( about 600mm on the day) they ask us to wait while they get in the gator and go 400yds down the canal and open the swing road bridge, 600 metres later we are in the lake and puttering north looking for somewhere to anchor for the night. We see our first boat in a week and we stare at it as if he must be lost. This means we are now in Nova Scotia sailing hot spot. After a bit of wiggling through some channels we pick out a likely spot on the chart secluded and very lake like after our week out in the very exposed east coast. Our an hour buries itself safely in the mud and we look at google earth to see if there is any walking opportunities. There is a natural harbour in the inlet and we dinghy ashore to search out a long circular walk around the headland which will include paddling and scrambling. 2 hour later back at the dinghy ready to head back to the boat for tea. on our walk we saw. Sea eagle, Otter, sandpipers, yellow legs. And many others.
While sitting with a beer another otter and another sea eagle. Filled by crying coyotes and loons to go fall asleep to. All in all another good day.Read more