Labradore hop

Well its time to commit to the next big step 50 nm door to door sail from Newfoundland to Labradore, it not that longer sail but if you had to drive around it would be more than 3000km and 2 ferry rides. St Anthonys is the last proper civilisation for a long time and fuel water and food become proper consideration . An early start a low wind flat water means that Tarquin challenge of navigating the old fashion way with charts compass and DR have a sporting chance of having success. Good to see him getting to grips with all the principles. We checked the ice chart and the square we are passing through has 16 icebergs in it today. Some drifting some have run aground but who knows where. When the fog comes in the radar is your only eyes. Its a good sailing day vis is in and out but we make good progress and chateau Bay, the entrance to Henry Harbour is in site about 5pm its pretty foggy as we slide in and Tarquin continues to navigate with DR and Radar. Really good effort for first time. We are a little un nerved by berg come into view in the foggy entrance. Run aground on the port side. There are a couple of recognised anchoring spots in this array of island and pools, but we or should I say I think it’s a good idea to try and anchor down near the river 3 miles away. After 4 attempts we give up and motor back to Henley Harbour. And bury the hook there before the southerly gale we are expecting turns up. Top spot. Except we haven’t left enough swing room and the wind is veering. We move the anchor just one more time before dark.

Next day it really windy but decide on a hill climb scrable to get a good photo, followed by a beach bonfire. All a total success and a good way to spend storm days. What is real obvious about Labrador is there really is no one here and we have entered genuine frontier land. We wander round the beach area where we are and find the graves of the previous family who lived and perished here “the stone family” her though the 1800’s the rock of there boat and small shack are still here along its graves of at leats 5 family members one was 85 when he died and lived on those shores for 70. One was his 13 year old son.

Sausages on the fire and the permanent smell of smoke in our clothes. We will be heading north Tommorow againRead more